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!

I don't have a dog (nor have I ever) but even I know how important the sniffing and marking thing is! You only have to walk in a dog friendly park to notice.

(But I get why that's annoying, that's why I have cats instead)

Why are you just standing there for 5 mins each time? Walk on! Tug the lead and carry on. You don't need to stand there waiting for him to finish his investigation.

But that is normal. I get it's frustrating but your dog is just being a dog.

The dog is 9 years old and you’ve let him off the lead once? His recall clearly needs work. Also, why is he pulling you? Loose lead walking needs to be taught as well.

Eh not really. I can be bothered considering I still take him for several walks per day and as well as that, I happen to adore him!

Springers are extremely energetic dogs. It's very sad to think of one being constrained by being walked on a lead. Maybe because he's not being allowed to run around and explore he's having to get his excitement from what he can smell on his lead walk?

If you really adored him and understood springers (or dogs even) you would find a way to let him exercise off lead - by working on his recall and taking him to places where he can run around but not run off.

I feel for you, OP.

My dog's a nightmare, so you have my sympathy.

Mine loves belly rubs. Loves them. She'd have her belly rubbed for hours if she could, and it's tiring for my arm.

Plus, She'll sniff other dog's arses. It's disgusting.

I'm going to rehome her, cos no dog owner should have to put up with this, right!

Aaaaand she walks on 4 legs instead of two. What sort of animal does that????

Before my fox terrier was neutered he was a nightmare, he couldn't enjoy a walk as he spent all of it sniffing and scenting every minute or so.

Once he was done he was a different dog (no more humping at anything that moved too) He was able to enjoy running around and not preoccupied with sniffing and scenting everything.

You need to work on recall with your dog as mine tool a couple of years but we got there and fox terriers are known to be a nightmare. He is a dog that needs to run around and get rid of all that energy.

I don’t let him off the lead out of fear. I’d be terrified he’d run off and get hit by a car.

I only let him off the lead if DH is with me

Well take him somewhere where he can run properly like an enclosed field? There are loads of them you can hire out for half an hour. I can't bear the idea of an energetic dog like a Spaniel being kept on a lead every time he's walked. Does your DH take him out every day for a good off lead run then?

I have 2 x 1 year old springers and a 12 year old. We spent about 5 months teaching a proper recall in the park using longlines and harnesses before allowing ours off the lead. Even now, one of them takes a while to come back if we’re on a ‘proper’ walk ie in the woods. Have you tried using a longline? It means the dog gets some freedom, you don’t get yanked about.

You’ve got a springer, they’re amazing sniffer dogs, bred for it. Play to his strengths, stop trying to change his nature. Hide treats round the house/garden, it’s excellent stimulation for a dog who likes to sniff. Practise loose lead walking by using a handful of his food allowance/hotdogs. He will need tiring out first before attempting loose lead work. Our lot heel once we’re halfway through a walk and they’ve burnt off some of their mad energy. We only have them on the lead when we’re crossing the lane/going back to the car.

He really really needs off lead walks. Look
up enclosed fields near you, or places you can hire by the hour like agility runs.

He's a dog doing what dogs do. You need some training from someone who understands dogs. It's unsafe to have a dog with no recall. He's a Springer. Let him be one.

He's nine years old though, not a puppy. You've had years to tackle his recall. If he got the chance to run around and "go spanielling" everyday, he'd probably not need as much sniffing and mental enrichment on his walks.

Have you not done any recall training with him over the years? Could you hire an enclosed field or use a longline attached to his harness if you're worried?

Spaniels really are one of those breeds that need the chance to run and sniff and explore - they're working dogs and a life of lead walks is far too restrictive for them without a good reason (injury, health issues or aggression, for example).