Walking our dogs is about more than just exercise—it’s about connection, enrichment, and teamwork. One of the best ways to create enjoyable and frustration-free walks is by finding a rhythm that balances both Sniffy Walks and Working Walks. What’s the difference between a Sniffy Walk and a Working Walk? A Working Walk is when you and your pup are practicing Loose Leash skills together, checking in with one another and having a conversation on both sides! The Sniffy Walk is when your dog gets to read the news, check their “mail”, and get information from their environment.

Pack Your Treats

Before we even step outside, let’s set ourselves up for success. Always bring high-value, smelly treats that your pup loves. These help us reinforce loose-leash walking, reward attention, and build positive associations with distractions along the way.

Why Rhythm Matters

Transitions to the outdoors can be very exciting for our pups. That excitement often leads to pulling, bouncing, or struggling to focus. By intentionally creating a rhythm on your walks, you’re helping your dog settle into a flow that feels predictable, rewarding, and fun.

Sniffing plays a big role here! Taking deep breaths through their nose naturally helps dogs regulate their arousal and feel calmer.

Step One: Stationary Sniff Break

As soon as you step outside, begin with a stationary sniff break! Stand still and allow your pup to take in the smells and sounds of the world around them. This pause will:

• Help your dog check out their environment and read the news
  • Prevent pulling while they’re trying to catch up on scents
  • Create an easier transition into working mode

Wait for your dog to look back at you, as if saying, “Are we going anywhere?” That’s your signal to begin the working walk. You can also start implementing marking and treating or do fun basic cues such as TOUCH, MIDDLE, or Puppy Push Ups!

Step Two: Working Walk

During your Working Walk, also known as the Business Walk, or Loose Leash Walking, we’re teaching our dogs that staying by our side pays off! Use your cue LET’S GO!, reward check-ins with your marker word, and reinforce frequently to keep your pup engaged.

Every dog’s attention span is different. Some can work for only a moment at first, while others can maintain focus for a couple of minutes or more.

Remember: building the process is more important than perfection!

When your dog’s focus starts to waver, don’t wait for pulling, offer a sniff break instead. This prevents frustration for both of you.

Step Three: Alternate and Adjust

Continue alternating between Working Walks and Sniffy Walks to create a natural rhythm. As your pup improves, you can gradually extend the duration of the working portions by 1–3 minutes at a time. Learn your pup’s signals of getting excited or distracted! This can look like perked ears and tails, or excited happy feet!

Meeting your pup where they are—considering excitement, distractions, and their emotional state—will help you both succeed.

Pro Tip: The 5-Second Rule

If your dog is glued to a scent, try a gentle countdown:
“5… 4… 3… 2… 1… LET’S GO!”
This cue lets them finish up while preparing to move on.

Keep in Mind:

• Sniff breaks are not “losing progress”—they are resets that help dogs succeed!
  • Use high-value treats during working walks to reinforce engagement.
  • Let your dog set the pace of progress, and celebrate small wins along the way.
  • Sniff breaks are also a great time to create distance from distractions, allowing the world to pass by while your dog is busy reading the news around you!

With consistency and patience, you and your pup will discover a walking rhythm that makes every outing more fun and fulfilling.