Common Problem: Sniffing!

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Considering the incredible power of your dog’s nose, none of us should be surprised when they want to sniff. However, we must be able to communicate when it’s appropriate to sniff and when it is not.

If you are struggling with a sniffing problem during your obedience training or performance, consider the following.

✅ Offer an Alternative Behavior

Getting your dog to stop sniffing is most effective when you tell him what you want him to do instead. “Repeatedly telling your dog, “no sniff” doesn’t tell him what he should be doing. Tell him to stop, “no,” but follow that no with a command he can do such as “Sit,” “Down,” or “Come!”

For example, if your dog is sniffing while in a down position, tell him “no, Down!” and watch his head snap up to look at you as if he’s saying, “I am down!”

✅ Insist on Attention While Training

Sniffing and paying attention to you are mutually exclusive. Teach your dog that there is a correction for inattention. Systematically teach your dog that paying attention is required as outlined in the blog post: Heeling with Attention

We would like to believe the dog’s interest in our rewards is more powerful than the distraction tempting the dog to sniff, but that is probably naïve. Teaching your dog that attention is required, and that paying attention causes rewards to happen is a more balanced approach.  

✅ There are Appropriate Times to Sniff

When you arrive at a training area or competition venue, if your dog is prone to sniff to satisfy his curiosity about the location, let him do so. However, when you are ready for him to perform, be clear that it is time to stop sniffing and get to work.

Years ago, a handler with a hound was so frustrated with his sniffing that she became determined to never allow him to sniff. This standard caused the problem to get worse as he quickly realized that the only opportunity he had to sniff was during the off-leash portions of his performance. When she relaxed, and allowed him to sniff outside the ring, before his performance began, he was much more inclined to pay attention to the task at hand as his need to sniff had been satisfied.

✅ Using Proofing  

It is appropriate to set up situations that might entice your dog to sniff during training. Putting out small pieces of paper or cotton balls may cause your dog to become distracted and try to sniff. Having a helper entice your dog with something smelly and/or delicious is appropriate when he is heading for a retrieve or coming on a recall. However, your response should be directed toward his lack of attention, failure to retrieve, or failure to come as opposed to the sniffing he exhibits because he is distracted.  

 Connie