As a dog walker, it's my job to monitor canine behaviour around me. Unfortunately, my sight is often caught by dogs walking past that are kept on a short lead and are completely restricted from doing natural "dog behaviours". I totally understand that in 2023 there is a pressure on dog owners to have the "perfectly trained" dog, especially with the influence of social media. However, to me, there is no excuse for completely disregarding our dogs' need to be a dog. It is 2023 and, in this age, we accept humans for who they are... it's time to do the same for dogs!
So, with that in mind, let's talk about how we can encourage enrichment on our dog walks whilst also allowing them to behave naturally.
Allow Your Dog To Sniff
Did you know that 20 minutes of sniffing burns the same energy as an hours’ worth of lead walking for your dog? It's hard to believe, right? But it is true. It is vital that we allow all dogs daily opportunities to thoroughly investigate areas and fulfil their need to sniff. Dogs have an incredible sense of smell, one we cannot fathom or relate to, which may be one of many reasons why some people get frustrated when their dog follows a scent instead of walking to a perfect heel! Dogs can sniff incredibly in-depth tracks using their nose and can even communicate with each other through smells… Are they a boy or girl dog? Are they fit and healthy? Is this dog young or old? They can find out these things and more by just sniffing! Dogs would never naturally walk in a straight line and although that is what us humans are used to, it is difficult for dogs to walk straight without zigzagging to investigate different scents.
It's so important to remember that a dog walk is for the dog, not the human. There are endless opportunities for us to go out and do our own thing, it’s less likely that a pet dog has the same freedom! So, it is our job to make sure that their walks are as fun, engaging, and positive as possible.
But you may ask me, how do I encourage my dog to sniff more?
Playing Games
Scent-driven games such as "Find it" are a great and easy way to get your dog using their nose. All you need is a treat or a toy, whichever your dog prefers! Find a quiet area and ask your dog to sit while you throw the treat or toy into long grass. When you are ready, simply ask them to find it and send them to search! Then step back and watch them explore with their nose for a yummy or fun reward! To go one step further, ideally with treats, scatter a small handful instead of just one; this will encourage a longer search which your pooch will love!
( Rocky the Labrador playing "Find it"... Look at that waggy tail! )
2. Follow The Lead-er!
As dog owners, we are used to deciding our walking routes and making all the decisions! However, offering dogs the opportunity to make their own decisions is incredibly rewarding and stimulating for them. Instead of taking the lead (quite literally!), try taking a step back and let your dog lead you this time! Scent trails are very intricate, dogs read with their noses just as we read with our eyes; by giving them the opportunity to follow a scent trail without disruption, we empower dogs and encourage calm behaviour which reduces stress and anxiety.
( Luna the Belgian Malinois on her dog-lead walk with Asher! )
Explore New Places
It's very easy to get into the routine of taking the same walking routes around your local area with your dog; especially when you have a busy life, and your mind is elsewhere! But this sort of routine is not necessarily the best for your dog, who may become bored and not enjoy their walk as much as they could. By adding variety to your walking locations, dogs can:
- Explore different areas
- Process different sights and smells
- Meet new dogs
- Practice training (i.e. recall) in a new and exciting environment
However, exploring new places may not be as simple as it sounds when you have an anxious, nervous, or reactive dog. It is understandable in these cases that the owner may stick to areas they know well and that the dog is comfortable in. With these dogs in mind, having local secure dog parks to visit can be a blessing! Here you can book your own private slot and allow your pooch complete off-lead freedom to explore a safe and enclosed area; often filled with obstacles, toys, different terrain and substrate, tunnels, etc.
Below I have listed local secure dog park recommendations... Check it out!
1. Paws N Play
Based on the outskirts of Nantwich nearby to Snugburys, Paws N Play is set back from the A51 and has great space to drive your car in through the gates! Paws N Play has quickly become one of our favourite secure walking destinations as it is just an 8 minute drive from the Town Centre and has incredible secure fencing all the way around. Inside the park is a variety of dog agility equipment which the dogs love to play on, as well as a shelter for us humans when the weather is typically British! Next to the entrance is a water station with spare bottles filled with fresh water each day, spare wellies and rain coats, as well as a big selection of communal toys for the dogs to enjoy. For dogs like Gus the Patterjack who's recall isn't always reliable, being able to spend off-lead time playing with his sister Darcey the Yorkiepoo is invaluable and allows him to just be a dog!
Visit their website to book: https://pawsnplay.uk/
( Darcey the Yorkiepoo and Gus the Patterjack at Paws N Play )
2. Ash House Canine Adventure Park
Based a little further away from Nantwich but totally worth the 20 minute journey: Ash House Canine Adventure Park is based in Wettenhall, Winsford, and offers a huge secure space for dogs to enjoy. Not only are the fences very secure and tall, but it benefits from a double entrance to avoid any escapee dogs! Ash House Canine Adventure Park offers an impressive variety in enrichment such as tunnels, sandpits, seesaws, tires, and more. We highly recommend making a visit and checking it out for yourselves!
Check out their website: https://ashhousekennels.com/
( Luna the Belgian Malinois at Ash House Canine Adventure Park )
3. Unleashed at Wrenbury Hall Woods
Based in Wrenbury, just a 9 minute drive from Nantwich, is this amazing secure dog park which has the most impressive variety in areas and equipment for dogs to explore! The most eye capturing being its large lake where dogs can swim, play in the water, cool down, and hydrate themselves. Unleashed at Wrenbury has a huge variety in equipment such as jumps, seesaws, tunnels, and even has it's own little wooded area for dogs to play within the trees. Not only are you able to book private sessions for your pooch; there are regular socialisation sessions held here, from puppy groups to large dog groups!
To find out more, visit their website: https://unleashedwrenbury.co.uk/
( Buddy the German Shepherd at Unleashed at Wrenbury Hall Woods )
Teach Your Dog a New Skill
Teaching your dog something new is not only a way to benefit our dogs, but as owners it allows us to feel accomplished and proud that WE did that! It is a great way of improving the bond between dog and owner. But here's the tricky part... What can we teach our dogs? I'm glad you asked!
Dog Parkour
Now... I'm sure you're all thinking, isn't parkour a human sport? And you're not wrong! In a sense, dog parkour is not entirely different from human parkour. If I were to try and define it... Dog parkour is where owners will train the dog to travel across a set of obstacles, relying on the dogs ability to balance on different surfaces and objects. It doesn't have to be extravagant and complex; teaching your dog to place 2 paws on a surface is fantastic. Check out this photo of Bear below, who last week on her walk with us, learnt how to balance on two tree stumps at the same time! If you want to learn more about dog parkour, you'll want to head over to Nose to Trail ran by Rachel Rodgers! She runs dog parkour classes in Nantwich (alongside other amazing classes such as pet trailing and reducing reactivity) and comes highly recommended by us!
Check out her website here: https://nosetotrail.co.uk/
( Bear the Bichon/Shih tzu mix showing off her parkour skills! )
So, there we are! Of course, there will be many other ways you can enrich your dog's walks. These are just a few suggestions to get you thinking. Every dog is different and benefits from different things; no-one knows your pooch better than you do! So, go out there and have fun with them, can't wait to hear all about it!
See you next time :)
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