This might sound an odd question but here goes. We have a dog who has just got his sense of smell and out on walks it takes ages as he keeps stopping and scenting. We have only had bitches before so have not encountered this so much. What I'd like to know is do we discourage this and say no everytime  he stops or just let him do his business as I know its natural. I just wondered what other people do about this.
Ange

If he's on the lead, keep walking! There's nothing more annoying than a dog which dictates the pace!

He is not "doing his business" but territory marking which is unecessary and, IMHO, bad manners when on a lead out for a walk.

My dogs are not allowed to stop and sniff or cock their leg when on the lead unless given the sayso.

If you keep on walking he will be unable to stop............

Everytime I see dogs telling their owners when to stop it reveals a lot about their relationship!

Hi i would just like to agree with the last two comments, Dont let him dictate to you whilst on the lead, to let this become a habit would be such a shame and make a walk together a chore rather than a pleasure, if he tries to stop and sniff just keep walking he will soon learn that if he stops his collar will become uncomfortable. Try to include off lead exercise with most walks he will then learn that this is his time to do all of those sort of things.

Hi martin... what would you recommend if you have a breed of dog they dont advise be let of lead in open spaces?
i only ask as i have a mal and no safe large area to let him loose in. :-)

In that case you take him to a suitable place and you tell him when it's okay to cock his leg, using the word you used when you were housetraining him.
:)

Thanks everybody. A bit of retraining is called for I think. He doesn't cock his leg either he just squats.
Ange