Sniffari: The Walk Your Dog Has Been Dreaming Of

I learned about decompression walks (aka Sniffaris) on Sarah Stremming’s podcast Cog Dog Radio earlier this year and I have become a huge fan. I think the dogs are loving it too!

Mia enjoying an early morning Sniffari on her long-line

WHAT’S A SNIFFARI?

Typically done on a 20-30 foot long-line in a park or field, a Sniffari is a dog-directed walk that focuses on smelling and exploration instead of simply getting from Point A to Point B as quickly as possible.

WHY IS IT BETTER?

Sniffaris give your dog more free movement, exploration and sniffing than a typical neighborhood walk.

On a long-line, your dog doesn’t have to slow down quite so much to match your pace, and he can easily move from bush to bush or wherever his nose takes him.

It’s easier for him to be a dog!

HOW’S IT DONE?

First get your equipment:

• Fixed length long-line (20-30 feet). This is crucial. Believe me. I was recently forced to do a Sniffari on a 6 foot leash and it was not the same.
  You can use nylon long-line like this or waterproof brahma like this. Retractable leashes are not okay for Sniffaris.

• Body harness. It is NOT safe to clip a long-line to your dog’s collar. Why? Consider tying one end of a 30 foot rope to your neck and the other end to the bumper of your parked car; now run as a fast as you can away from the car. Ouch! A long lines should always be clipped to properly fitted body harness. See why the Balance Harness is my favorite.

I also recommend carrying Spray Shield, high value treats, and poop bags.

Before your first Sniffari, practice long-line walking in your backyard. I thread the belt of my bait bag through the handle of the long line for extra security. The extra line is looped in the left hand, and my right hand controls the line between myself and the dog.

Once you’ve got the equipment, you can pick a suitable location.

• Plenty of space. Busy pocket parks quickly become too small when your dog is on 20-30 feet of line.

• Clear sightlines. Remember your dog will regularly be very much out of reach. If you can’t see what’s coming, you have no time to reel your dog back into your bubble to avoid tangles and unsolicited greetings.

• Permission. Leash length is limited to 6 feet in all City of Austin, City of Pflugerville, City of Georgetown, Travis County and Williamson County parks.
  What does that leave? City of Cedar Park, City of Round Rock (up to 25 feet) and MUD parks.

My Sniffaris are usually 20-30 minutes from the time I get out of the car to the time I get back in.

CAN ALL DOGS DO SNIFFARI’S?

Yes and no.

For most people, Sniffaris involve driving to a location outside their neighborhood. Dogs who are uncomfortable riding in the car are not good candidates for Sniffaris until that issue is addressed.

Dogs who bark at, or pull towards people or other dogs may be able to do Sniffaris under special conditions (i.e. a VERY quiet location during VERY quiet times of day). If your dog is doing more barking than sniffing, he’s not decompressing and the Sniffari may do more harm than good.

Depending on the nature of the reactivity, muzzle training may also be a prerequisite.

COURTESY

Above all, please be courteous! As much as I love what the long-line means for a dog’s freedom and pleasure, I also know that it makes it very easy for dogs to get out of control and disrupt others:

• Give other people and dogs plenty of space. Think social distancing on steroids.

• Focus on your dog…not your phone. Just because your dog is “on a leash” doesn’t mean you can check out. Your dog is on a very long leash and the farther away he is, the longer it’s going to take for you to reach him and physically intervene in a situation.