Does anyone have a dog that is constantly peeing and sniffing on walks?

[asblindasabat]

I have a 9 year old Springer Spaniel and as much as I love walking him, he constantly pulls on the lead towards grass/vegetation etc so he can sniff and pee.

Of course it’s normal for a dog to pee on a walk, but he keeps pulling me over to grass verges to do tiny pees when he could have had one only two minutes ago and then he continually pulls so that he can sniff the grass. He could spend about 5 minutes sniffing before he decides to have another pee.

It really makes walking him less enjoyable because I spend more time trying to stop him pulling me than actually walking.

is there any way I could try to stop this behaviour? And I don’t mind him sniffing the odd time, but it’s too excessive at the minute!

are you serious?? You know he's a dog... right?

Sniffing is normal dog behaviour - it's actually more important than 'the walk', it will wear them out more. Peeing a little and a lot is probably him marking, if he's sniffing an area a lot before cocking his leg.
You can work on teaching him heel work so he walks nicely and only stops to sniff when you give him a release word. Or you can be less focused on the distance you go and just go at his pace and let him sniff.
If the peeing has suddenly increased it might be worth having him checked for a UTI.

This is just what dogs do!

🙄

He's marking territory, but also, depending on what kind of person you are, personally I'd just let him get on with it. Sniffing (and peeing!) Is a huge part of the enjoyment for many dogs! I am sometimes left standing for a minute at a time while DD has a proper in depth sniff of a thing!

After 9 years you think you'd know better.

Yes, im serious. It’s irritating!

and yes I know, hence why I said I don’t mind him sniffing but he’s constantly at it!

Who are you trying to make it enjoyable for, you or him?

Who has a dog that doesn't want to constantly stop & sniff.

Me - I can’t seem to walk to do much walking because he’s constantly sniffing. It’s madness.

Well if you "don't mind him sniffing" then I'd just politely request that he turns off the rest of his natural instincts

They all do this. It's a dog thing 😂

That's what dogs do

A hamster next time.

Have you had him for the full 9 years? This is just what dogs do 🤷‍♀️

Sniffing and marking is really important, probably more so than how far you walk, let him sniff!

Then go for a walk by yourself.

If and when you decide you have time to make it enjoyable for him then try again. I'm the mean find a dog walker who understands dogs.

I have a 9 year old Springer Spaniel and as much as I love walking him, he constantly pulls on the lead towards grass/vegetation etc so he can sniff and pee.

Yep - that's what dogs do! What about going somewhere you can let him off lead?

Take him out to sniff and pee, because he's a dog. And that's what they do, it stimulates their senses, their hormones and their minds. They need it for their well being.

Then go out on your own and get your steps in.

Preventing dogs from doing this, you know, typical dog behaviour, has been proven to have an adverse effect on their happiness (or mental health, if you like).

But you know. If it’s annoying for you, then you crack on and try to stop him.

If you want to walk, go for a walk on your own, dogs need to sniff it’s good for their mental stimulation.

I can’t let him off the lead unfortunately. I tried that one time before and he is extremely disobedient and doesn’t come back for you.

I had to run to grab hold of him because he just ran off on me.

Use it to your advantage! It’s a skill, and basically like our version of going to a pub or night club and meeting loads of people.

take hun to a scent work class. Make snuffle mats or hide treats in the garden.

look up sniff walks.

20 mins of sniffing burns off about the same energy as an hour run.

let your dog be happy!

Worry less about how you far and fast u are walking and lethim sniff and wee.i call it catching up on their wee mails when my dogs do this.They need this type of walk as it’s great for their mental stimulation.A dog doesn’t get any enjoyment on a walk if u just pull them along at a pace.stick your headphones on and listen to music whilst you let your dog amble then maybe u won’t get so annoyed

I do let him sniff but he takes about 5 minutes every stop and I have to stand there and wait, then when we are ready to resume walking he pulls me towards other grass to sniff!

i know they like to sniff and I’m happy with him doing that, but not where it’s constant to the point I spend most of the ‘walk’ standing waiting on him!

Have you had him since a puppy?

If not, you can work on recall, or get a long line lead so he can porter about a bit more.