How do I train my dog to quit stopping and smelling every 5 seconds while on a walk?

Why stop your dog from being a dog? Instead, get another kind of pet whose life isn’t intimately concerned with scents.

That’s what dogs do. They smell things. They bark. They lick things. They’re dogs.

ahh, @Facade, you said it better

a clap on the neck everytime he does it.
(that is what a researcher does to affirm his leadership position in the pack of wolves he studies)

@ragingloli That is pretty bad advice. Those so-called pack dynamics have been pretty well discredited. And again, I would ask, why would you want to train a dog not to be a dog? Just don’t get a dog in the first place. The alternative is cruel.

Just walk farther out to the street.

Stick a clothespin on his nose.

Give her a quick tug on the leash and say “Come on”. You need to be short and loud with your words like her mother would be with a bark. Eventually she’ll get it.

Haha, actually, I have this problem too. One time, I tried to take my dog out for a run, and he was just making it REALLY hard to run. I’ve seen some dogs not have to stop so often, and I wonder why theyre like that/ It could be that maybe, its been a long time since he/she has been out last, and the dog just wants to sniff everything, since there is so much to take in. I would prefer to walk my dog via walking, rather than stopping every few seconds when the dog just wants to sniff… sure, sniffing is what dogs do, but sometimes, they DO do it a bit too often.

What I do though, which is in agreement with @jonsblond, is I tug the leash, and I say “aye!” He sniffs quickly, but he still sniffs. At least he does it quickly though. But either way, just gently tug and give a slight shout. But honestly, I am not sure what else can stop a dog from doing that, since we cant ask them not to :P

my mom has a bassett hound that does the same thing. a friend of mine was recommending how i should not let the dog do that, i need to be in control, all that bullshit. i feel like the walk is to benefit the dog, not to benefit me. if the dog wants to sniff, if that’s how she enjoys herself, then she should be able to. if the dog does not have many pleasures in life, then let her have that.

I agree with the let the dog be a dog school of thought.

But…..there are times when I have my dog with me and want to get somewhere quickly or if you are showing in conformation or obedience etc. So I use a harness when it is their walk and their turn to have it their way, walking harness = sniffing time! Pulling harness means run and pull and choke chain means no sniffing, we are serious or in a rush!

@jonsblond – has it right, that is an excellent method.

It’s the dogs time!Let it do as it wishes!I would wager he does not stop you chanel hopping with the remote in your hand.

Ok thank you to the people who actually read the question and gave a good answer. Like I said in the question, I know dogs do that, but when I take her on walks she doesn’t really get exercise when she stops every 5 seconds. I usually let her do it a few times then I tug on her leash and say Come On. I am just worried she is not getting enough exercise.

@ASoprano thanks for all your help!

You will know if she is not getting enough exercise if she starts to put on weight. I don’t think you will stop her completely from sniffing, but pulling on the lead and telling ehr to come will start to sink in soon, especially as she gets used to the walk/circuit you do as the smells won’t seem as interesting any more!

I have a similar problem, my dog hasn’t had the snip yet and constantly cocks his leg, sometimes he doesn’t even do anything!! It does get frustrating but keep going!

Good luck and I hope all goes well xx

Damned dogs, always trying to act like dogs.

with my mom’s basset hound, if you walk briskly the dog will walk briskly with you with head held high and not stop (or not stop as much). but dogs will be dogs….