You think they're tired, but they're actually just over-stimulated. Here is why distance is a trap.
Your Fitbit might say 5km, but your dog's brain could still be starving. Brisk walks often ignore their most powerful tool: the nose.
Humans have 6 million scent receptors; dogs have 300 million. Sniffing a gorse bush isn't a distraction—it is how they read the news.
Scent-processing is metabolically expensive. 20 minutes of deep sniffing tires them more than a fast run along the Waterford Greenway.
Constant heeling on a short lead spikes stress hormones. Sniffing acts as a natural sedative that lowers their heart rate instantly.
Ditch the 1.5m city lead. Grab a 5m or 10m long-line. Let them choose the path, even if it's just walking in circles.
Skip the busy Phoenix Park crowds. Find a quiet beach or a forest trail where the 'environmental load' and noise are low.
If your dog wants to sniff one single patch of grass for five minutes? Let them. That is exactly where the mental work happens.
If they won't put their nose down, they are too stressed to relax. They are busy looking for danger instead of enjoying the walk.
Stuck in the city? A quiet car park at night or a private 'Sniffspot' garden can be a mental sanctuary for a reactive dog.
Don't let the Atlantic weather stop you. Even 10 minutes of sniffing the damp Irish air is a massive mental health win for your pet.
Stop seeing the walk as a physical chore. It is the most powerful mental health tool your dog has. Give them the lead and let the nose rule.
Get our full guide on long-line safety, the best Irish sniff spots, and how to lower cortisol for good.