Teaching Your Dog to Sniff on Cue: Enrichment You Can Control
Why Teach Sniffing on Cue?
For a dog, the nose isn’t just a tool — it’s a superpower. Sniffing is mentally enriching, emotionally regulating, and a core way they make sense of the world. But without guidance, sniffing can also turn into a “drag you from bush to bush” situation.
That’s where teaching a sniff on cue comes in. It gives your dog the chance to enjoy one of their favorite activities while keeping you in the driver’s seat. You decide when it’s time to stop and focus, and when it’s time to explore and relax.
This isn’t about cutting off their fun — it’s about balancing exploration with structure so both ends of the leash enjoy the walk.
The Science Behind Sniffing and Calmness
Dogs have up to 300 million scent receptors in their noses (compared to our 5–6 million). That means sniffing isn’t just interesting — it’s deeply satisfying and calming.
Here’s what happens when your dog sniffs:
Mental engagement: Processing scents works the brain in ways physical exercise can’t match.
Stress regulation: Slow, investigative sniffing helps lower stress hormones like cortisol.
Optimism boost: Every interesting smell is a “win” that builds positive associations with the environment.
Confidence building: Nervous dogs often relax when they can approach new situations nose-first.
When sniffing is cued, you can give your dog all those benefits without losing focus and direction during your walk.
Bagheera: Sniffing as a Reset Button
Bagheera is a high-drive, alert dog who can get into “mission mode” fast — scanning, alerting, and trying to manage her world. Sometimes, the best thing I can do for her on a walk is to interrupt that focus spiral and give her a short sniff break.
If she starts getting too locked in on a sound or movement, I’ll cue, “Go sniff!” and point to a patch of grass or a tree. She dives in nose-first, takes a few deep breaths through scenting, and when we’re ready to move on, she’s noticeably softer in body and mind.
For Bags, sniffing isn’t just fun — it’s a way to regulate her emotions and return to a calmer state.
Roo: Discovering Sniffing Later in Life
Roo wasn’t much of a sniffer early on. She was more interested in moving forward than stopping to investigate. But as she got older — and as I learned more about the value of scent work — I introduced the sniff cue.
At first, she didn’t seem to understand that she had permission to stop and explore. Once she caught on, her whole demeanor changed during walks. She learned that she could have structured walking time and dedicated sniffing time, and she began to settle into that rhythm beautifully.
How to Teach Sniff on Cue
Pick Your Cue
Choose something short and clear like “Go sniff!” or “Find it!” Keep it consistent.Pair the Cue With the Action
When your dog naturally stops to sniff, say your cue and let them sniff for a few seconds. Then cheerfully encourage them to move on.Repeat and Reward
Every time they stop to sniff, cue it. Over time, your dog will associate the words with the permission. You can reward with treats occasionally, but the real reward here is the sniffing itself.Start Asking for It
Once your dog understands the cue, point toward a sniff-worthy area and give the cue before they start sniffing.Add Structure
Teach a “Let’s go!” or similar cue to signal the end of sniffing time so you can smoothly transition back to walking.
When to Use the Sniff Cue
As a reward for loose-leash walking or other training
To reset focus if your dog starts to get too alert or tense
After passing a trigger as a decompression moment
On new trails or routes to help a dog feel more confident in a new place
As enrichment on days when physical exercise is limited
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Letting sniffing run the whole walk: Structure matters — balance sniffing with focused walking.
No clear end cue: Without it, your dog may keep stopping when you want to move forward.
Rushing the sniff: The whole point is to let them explore, not drag them away instantly.
Inconsistent permission: Sometimes letting them pull to sniff, other times not, can confuse the dog.
The Big Takeaway
Sniffing is one of the most natural, enriching things your dog can do — but teaching it on cue makes it even more powerful. You give your dog the joy and calming benefits of scent exploration while keeping walks manageable and enjoyable for both of you.
The sniff cue is more than a permission slip — it’s a conversation starter between you and your dog.
