Hello all, while since i posted.

Just a quick question as to how I can cut down on
Rufus' obsessive sniffing.
Obviously as he is a mini schnauzer he is a born sniffer
dog and that is fine, and I don't mind him sticking his
nose in all sorts of places - but NOT all the time!

Some days his walk can take 3 times longer and it almost
becomes obsessive, as though his life depends on his next sniff!
Somedays if there are crumbs on the pavement or something, he ends
up spread eagled!

I really don't mind it but sometimes its extreme! plus his beard ends
up filthy and I am worried of him picking things up.

Any advise?

Thanks, Louise

If you used a halti or other type of head collar , you would be able to keep his head up ....with you being in control rather than him , he may begin to get the idea

Melody :)

My Stan's the same (Mini Sch.). Walks can take ages. They certainly know how to put the brakes on and boy can they be stubborn about moving on. I'll be watching this space for tips on this one too. Maybe it's a dog thing...'cos my whippet is just as bad, but he's not so determined to hang around when you pull the lead.

Hi Louise
I do sympathise as I also have this problem with my little Lowchen - sniffing where other dogs have been is his specialist subject :) The difference is our walks don't take long at all ! He's really fast, darting from one sniff to another. This is the main cause of his pulling problem, he's so anxious to get to the next sniff. He's also incapable of walking in a straight line - he constantly criss crosses from one side of the pavement to the other. One of these days I'll trip over him and fall flat on my face. If I restrict the length of the lead to keep him by my side he ends up walking with his front legs dangling in mid air :)

And the amazing thing is - he does all this with a halti on !!!!

At home he's a very easy, biddable dog. But as soon as we're out of the front gate, he undergoes a total personality transformation !

Joyce

Hi Louise and other sniffers

I can't remember how old your dog is - our corgi used to give me heart attacks with his scavenging until he was 5 months or so and has now replaced it with sniffing [and weeing everywhere of course]. In our case it is probably a boy thing, he is interested in everything and can sometimes sniff one plant for ages. However, while he loves his walks he also puts the brakes on for NO REASON when we start a walk or when he wants a sniff while on lead.
I find 3 things very helpful if you want to get on with the walk:

1. A really firm and loud "OFF!" command - it is like "Leave" but sounds more like a Mum warning and more effective. We found it worked instantly for mouthing, scavenging and sniffs. You can teach it like you teach the leave command [ie. using a treat and saying "off!" until dog no longer interested]. Blokes can be useful in training here (with their deep voices).

2. When he starts sniffing start trotting gently so he thinks you are more exciting than the sniffs and will join in the trot- maybe squeak a toy and get his attention. I've had very successful walks with no sniffs at all when I've done this.

3. When he is off lead [in safe area] and sniffing, keep walking/trotting and he is likely to run after you- careful though - this works for my dog as he is a herding dog but might not work for dogs who like to run off. Hide and seek behind a tree is also good.
cissy

What you must all remember that the sense of smell to a dog is his primary sense. It is like seing for us. Now imagine you are going somehwere nice and you are not allowed to look at everything. Stopping sniffing is a bit like hubby telling you to stop looking at those nice shoes in the window, lol!

What you have to make clear to your dog is that you are in charge of walks on the lead. You do not let him stop to sniff, to cock his leg, you keep walking briskly so that he can't!!!

When you get to where he will be off lead he can sniff, cok to his hearts content, but you will still walk briskly and expect him to pay atention to where you are, but as a dogs normal speed is half again as fast as ours, he will catch up. Having yummy SMELLY treats to give him when he recalls will keep him wanting to keep with you.

Our staffordshire terrier X is a real sniffer as well. It caused problems intially because the pup tried to set the pace.. which was always stop-start between sniffing spots. We solved it by keeping a short leash and not stopping for the dog. If they determinedly pull back on the chain a clear NO and tug of the leash should sort it out.

Louise, my mini sniffs for England but I can call him off. On the lead, he has got used to me saying a strong "come on" and then giving a couple of tugs at the lead to show him what it means and he has to follow when I've said it. Now when he is on lead or off, if I don't want him to sniff I shout "come on" and he follows expecting to be tugged away. This works for me.