Senior Dog Comfort & Care

You know how people like to travel to “take in the sights”? Well, it’s time your dog gets to take in the smells by going on sniffari. Sniffaris, also called sniff walks or decompression walks, are all about the nose. Ideal for aging dogs that can’t go as far or as fast as they used to, a sniffari allows for a slow, meandering pace that doesn’t need to cover lots of distance. A sniffari could even just be sniffing up and down one block!

Your job for this type of walk is to ensure your dog doesn’t wander into danger or inappropriate places (like the middle of the street), but otherwise, let your dog take the lead. They get to follow their nose, left, right, this way, or that way. If they want to sniff something for five minutes, they’re allowed. They may stand with their nose up, nostrils twitching as they scent the air, or shove their face nose-deep into the grass — your dog gets to determine which way and how long to take in the world of scent around them.

You can do a sniffari with your regular leash, but these walks are even more fun if you use a longer leash (available in lengths from 10 to 50+ feet) and head to a large open field to explore.