Most pet parents have two goals when they set off for a walk with their dog: elimination and exercise.  
While both are critical to maintaining a happy and healthy dog, limiting your pup to those basic elements skips an important part of the canine experience—engaging your dog’s sense of smell.   In large part, our dogs “see” the world through scent, and allowing them to interact with their environment through their noses taps into an often-overlooked processing tool. 

While some pet parents may want to hurry their pup along during a stroll, it’s important to know why sniffing enrichment is important to dogs, and how to take a scent walk with them successfully.  

Key Takeaways

• Dogs have a powerful sense of smell that helps them interpret their environment, much like humans use sight.
• Scent walks allow dogs to use their natural sniffing instincts, providing both mental stimulation and enrichment.
• Unlike typical walks focused on exercise or potty breaks, scent walks prioritize exploration and scent processing over distance covered.
• Letting your dog stop and sniff freely on walks can enhance their well-being and help you better understand their behavior and preferences.

How Dogs Understand Scents
Not only do dogs have hundreds of millions of scent receptors as compared to our six million, they also devote approximately 40 times more brain volume to decoding smells than we do.  
This means that dogs are able to understand scent in a way that’s difficult for us to comprehend. A dog’s sense of smell can be loosely compared to human sight. 
Dogs smell to gain context of their environment, which includes the unique signature of other beings that have traveled that route before them, as well as elements that are abstract, like the passage of time or pending weather changes (yes, dogs can sense storms coming). 

A Dog's Need To Sniff Is Often Taken for Granted
 A dog can smell much more than humans, and while we know dogs need exercise and socialization to lead healthy lives, we’ve taken longer to understand the importance of smell for dogs.  Dogs can be trained to sniff out bombs and missing people; they can locate the scat of endangered animals over land, air, and water; and they can even detect certain cancers in humans.   The scope of their abilities is almost beyond comprehension, which makes the accidental ways in which we discourage our dogs’ sniffing all the more unfortunate. 

How To Take a Scent Walk With Your Dog
You can engage your dog’s scenting abilities by taking them on a smell or scent walk.  
A scent walk changes the focus of the walk from miles covered to odors logged, which probably requires a different mindset for most pet parents.  Instead of having a specific destination, the route of a scent walk meanders as your dog absorbs and processes the scents along the way.  It’s easy to take a scent walk with your dog following these guidelines:  Simply set off on a path with your dog on a leash. A long leash can give your dog a bit more freedom for sniff walks in less-populated areas.

​When your dog stops for a sniff, let them; don’t immediately pull them away. 
Be fully engaged, which means put away your phone and pay attention to your dog. 
Be patient while your dog engages with their nose; tune in to what your dog is doing and learn to understand how much they enjoy the freedom of sniffing. 
You’ll also likely gain new insights into your dog’s behavior when you take a scent walk: 
Is your dog a drive-by sniffer, eager to inhale as many new scents as possible? 
Or does your dog hunker down and dedicate themselves to smelling one location with great intensity?  
As you stroll, allow your dog to select the path and the amount of time they spend on each odor, but remember to keep leash manners in mind and don’t let your dog pull you along. 

The Benefits of Dog Sniffing on Walks
Scent walks mentally stimulate dogs by allowing them to engage their powerful sense of smell. 
That said, pet parents don’t always have the time to devote to nose-to-the-ground walks. You can determine which walks you want to make scent walks, and which ones are routine (when your dog is on a tighter schedule). 
It’s important to teach your pup the difference between typical exercise walks, late night potty trips, and walks with other canine friends without needing to stop and sniff the world along the way. 

Scent Walks for Dogs FAQs
What are scent walks for dogs?
Scent walks are walks that you take with your dog where you allow them to sniff and explore objects along their path without a specific destination. 
How long does a scent trail last for a dog?
Scent trails can last anywhere from a few hours to weeks, although many scents will start to fade within those first few hours or so. 
Is letting your dog sniff on walks good for them?
Dogs get a lot of mental stimulation from sniffing, and it can even expend energy the same way physical exercise does, so it’s good for both your dog’s mind and their body. 
Are sniff walks tiring for dogs?
The mental energy used during sniff walks can certainly make your dog tired, but in a good way!  
Sniff walks are just as effective as physical exercise at expending pent-up energy and decreasing behaviors like destructive chewing or excessive digging.  
Of course, if your dog is otherwise ill, elderly, or has limited mobility, it’s best to monitor them closely on sniff walks so that they do not become overly exhausted. 

WRITTEN BY: Victoria Schade, CPDT-KA, Animal Trainer

Senior dogs are often overlooked in shelters, compared to younger dogs and puppies.  However, dogs in their golden years have much to offer and can complement your family if simply given the chance.  There are many benefits to choosing a senior pup, and it’s important to consider them during your dog adoption journey. 

Key Takeaways

• Senior dogs are often overlooked in shelters, but their calm temperaments and low energy levels make them ideal companions.
• Older dogs are typically housebroken and are still capable of learning new behaviors.
• Adopting a senior pup will require preparation, including possibly using mobility aids like dog stairs or a ramp.
• Many breed-specific senior rescues will transport pups across state lines.

What Age Is a Dog a Considered a Senior?
In general, “senior” dogs are considered 7 years of age or older. More specifically, senior status is 7 years of age for medium- and large-sized dogs.   Because small breeds have longer lifespans, they approach senior status around 11 years of age. However, giant breed dogs are considered seniors when they are around 5 years old, due to their shorter lifespans. 

Why You Should Adopt a Senior Dog
Senior Dogs are Often Overlooked 
Senior dogs are often overlooked in shelters because most people looking to adopt are searching for an energetic puppy to take home.  Approximately 5.8 million dogs enter U.S. shelters each year, with a large portion being senior dogs. However, only 25% of seniors get adopted compared to 60% for younger dogs and puppies.  People can be more apprehensive about adopting a senior dog for many reasons. For one, senior dogs may come with health issues that need long-term management, which increases the cost for care.  

Similarly, because seniors have less life left, pet parents may be nervous about having to consider their quality of life and potential difficult decisions to be made soon after the adoption.  Older dogs can also come with unknown histories, which can cause concern for how they may fit into the family.  It’s important to note that senior dogs still have much to offer in their later years, and providing a safe and loving home could be the ultimate gift from a pet parent.  

They Can Still Learn New Tricks 
Senior dogs are often already housebroken and well-trained. However, you can still teach an old dog new tricks!  
Senior dogs are generally eager and willing to learn, and if they aren’t housebroken, you can still teach them. 
Teaching them new skills, such as putting a toy back in the toy bin or pawing a door when they need to go outside, also helps keep their cognitive function sharper and provides a sense of purpose.  Because adoptable dogs often have unknown or incomplete backstories, pet parents should expect an adjustment phase and the need to teach rules or behaviors to fit their household. 

They Offer a More Relaxed Environment 
Senior dogs are generally calmer and more relaxed due to their older age. Families used to living a more relaxed lifestyle, but who still want to add a canine companion, can benefit from choosing a senior dog.  
They Still Have So Much Love to Give Age is just a number. Senior dogs are filled with love and deserve to live out their remaining years in a safe, loving home. By choosing to adopt a senior dog, you can provide that second chance to them.  

They Are Full-Grown
Many dogs in shelters are not yet grown, and their anticipated height and weight is generally estimated. However, senior dogs are already full-grown, which means pet parents know exactly what to expect.  
Their Temperaments Are Known   Pet parents know the dog’s temperament when adopting a senior. Senior dogs also have generally outgrown puppy behaviors, like chewing, so this is less of a concern for potential adopters. 

Considerations for Adopting a Senior Dog
When adopting a senior dog, it’s important to schedule a veterinarian visit as soon as you can. This identifies any underlying health conditions early so that any long-term management can be discussed.  
Ensuring your home has all the necessary items for your new senior pup makes the transition from the shelter less stressful.  

For example, if your senior dog has any mobility issues, it’s important to block off stairs with a pet gate to keep them safe. Using dog stairs or a ramp can help your new pup get in and out of a car and up on couches or beds with ease.  Other common senior products that may be helpful to have on hand include senior dog toys like a KONG, elevated food bowls, and an orthopedic dog bed. Placing rugs on slippery floors can also help your senior dog walk without slipping.  

Generally, monthly preventatives for fleas, ticks, and heartworms are started while a dog is at the shelter. However, if they are not, you’ll want to immediately start those medications, such as Bravecto and Interceptor Plus, to keep your dog protected.  

How To Find a Senior Dog Near You
To find a senior dog near you, look up local rescues in your area. If you’re looking to adopt a specific breed, such as a Golden Retriever or a Pug, search for breed-specific shelters. Many rescues will even transport dogs across state lines.  You can also visit your local shelter and speak with the staff about any senior dogs who have been recently surrendered and are looking for new homes.   

Adopting a Senior Dog FAQs
Where is the best place to get a senior dog?
The best place to get a senior dog is at your local shelter. Many senior pups enter shelters each day, and they have a much lower adoption rate than younger dogs.   

Is adopting a senior dog worth it?
Yes! Senior dogs have so much to offer families and if given the chance, they will warm your heart and provide unconditional love.  

What is the 3-3-3 rule when adopting a dog?
This rule refers to your dog’s adjustment to their new home. It generally takes dogs three days to initially adjust to your home, followed by around three weeks of bonding and getting used to your lifestyle and daily routine. It then takes about three months for your dog to build trust and really settle in.   

WRITTEN BY
Brittany Kleszynski, DVMVeterinarian
Dr. Brittany Kleszynski is a veterinarian and freelance medical writer who specializes in creating meaningful content that engages readers...