Durham Dales country inn launches ‘Sniffari’ as dog owners are urged to stop rushing pets past smells

To mark National Dog Day on Wednesday, 26th August, dog owners are being urged to stop judging a successful walk by the number of miles covered and give their dogs more time to follow their noses.

A dog lingering over a patch of grass or a tree trunk isn’t wasting time. Sniffing helps them gather information about their surroundings and provides mental stimulation, while having more choice over what they investigate can help them feel calmer.

Yet research suggests many owners may be cutting these moments short, with more than half (54%) admitting they rush walks in cold or wet weather and one in three (33%) saying they often pull their dog along when it stops to sniff.

It is this thinking that has inspired the launch of a new ‘Sniffari’ in the Durham Dales, encouraging owners to let their dogs dictate the pace a little more. Launching from the Rose & Crown in Romaldkirk this September, the countryside walk will give dogs plenty of opportunity to stop and investigate the different scents they encounter along the route.

Zoe Willingham, dog behaviourist and qualified scent detection handler, said: “When dogs are sniffing, they are processing information and investigating their environment. It is a genuine cognitive activity.

“One of the most common mistakes owners make is rushing the walk, constantly encouraging dogs to keep moving rather than allowing them to investigate. Pulling them away from every interesting smell, when they are trying to investigate safely and appropriately, can mean they miss out."

Zoe added: “A patch of grass that looks completely unremarkable to us can contain all sorts of information for a dog.

“Scents left by other animals or found in vegetation can reveal information about what has been happening in an area – which helps explain why a seemingly ordinary patch of grass can hold a dog’s attention for so long.”

The Sniffari is launching in support of Dogs Trust, with walkers encouraged to make an optional donation to the charity after completing the route.

Dom Burke, Behaviour Policy Officer at Dogs Trust, said: “The Sniffari is a lovely initiative that encourages owners to give their dogs more opportunities to use their noses while enjoying the countryside. Smell is very important to our dogs. Sniffing is a natural behaviour and is a key way our dogs gain information about their environment. Their sense of smell is so powerful that dogs can be trained to detect lots of different things. 

“Conservation, medical detection and search and rescue work are just some of the ways a dog’s amazing nose can help find things. But your dog doesn’t have to be an expert. Help your dog make the most of their nose by allowing them plenty of opportunity and time to sniff on walks. It will help them feel happy, fulfilled and turn every walk into a little adventure.”

As a dog-friendly country inn surrounded by the Teesdale countryside, the Rose & Crown wanted the route to provide something that could be enjoyed by both local dog owners and guests visiting the area.

Cheryl Robinson, Operations Director at the Rose & Crown, Romaldkirk, said: “After a summer of repeated heatwaves, many dog owners have had to adapt their usual walking routines. At times, that has meant avoiding the hottest parts of the day or cutting back on longer walks. As the cooler days arrive, the Sniffari offers a great opportunity to get dogs back into the countryside, with the time and freedom to really take it all in.

“We’re excited to launch the Sniffari in support of Dogs Trust and encourage owners to experience a walk a little more from their dog’s point of view.”

The six-mile Sniffari follows the old railway line towards Cotherstone before returning via the river. Taking around two to three hours, the route includes open countryside, woodland and riverside sections, with dogs encouraged to set the pace along the way.

The Sniffari will be available throughout the autumn for local dog owners and visitors to Romaldkirk. To mark the event, owners and their dogs are invited to join the Launch Walk at 3 pm on Friday 4th September, departing from the Rose & Crown.

For more information about the Rose & Crown, please visit:
https://www.rose-and-crown.co.uk/

To donate to Dogs Trust through the Rose & Crown Sniffari fundraiser, visit:
https://events.dogstrust.org.uk/fundraisers/httpswwwrose-and-crowncouk