That 5km power walk might be doing more harm than good for your dog's mental health.
We often think physical exhaustion equals a happy pet. But high-intensity exercise can spike cortisol, leaving your dog 'wired' rather than relaxed.
Your dog's brain is hardwired for scent. Deep sniffing provides more mental exhaustion for them than a long run through the woods.
When they sniff, they're reading the local news. They learn the health, status, and emotions of every dog that passed the path before them.
Sniffing physically lowers your dog's heart rate. It switches them from 'fight or flight' into a calm 'rest and digest' state.
Forcing a heel on every walk is like making a human sit through a four-hour meeting. It’s mentally draining and leads to frustration.
Ditch the short lead. Use a 5-10 metre long line and a Y-shaped harness to give them freedom without any pressure on their neck.
Avoid the busy National Trust car parks. Head to a secluded wood or quiet coastal path where sensory 'noise' is low for their nose.
Follow your dog. If they want to sniff one patch of grass for five minutes? Let them. You are simply their safety anchor.
Lower cortisol levels from sniffing mean fewer barks at the postman. A decompression walk leads to a much calmer evening for you both.
If they're too excited, try 'scatter feeding'. Drop treats in the grass to force their nose down and trigger that calming sniffing reflex.
You aren't losing out on exercise; you're gaining a mentally balanced companion. Minutes spent sniffing beat kilometres covered every single time.
Get our full guide on long-line safety, the best UK quiet spots, and the science of scent.