Getting your dog out the door for exercise will always be a step in the right direction when it comes to their wellbeing. There is a way, however, for your dog to get even more enrichment from their regular walk around the block.
While you’re busy looking at the scenery, your dog’s nose is working overtime. They walk a few feet before stopping to sniff and then they take a few more steps to find something else worth smelling. It’s tempting to tug on the leash to keep them moving in a forward direction. I am so guilty of this, but a worthwhile dog walk isn’t always measured in miles or minutes. Every now and then, it’s important to let your dog stop and smell the roses, lamp posts and that bush and maybe even that fence way over there. While humans are mostly visual creatures, dogs are all about smells. They have millions more olfactory sensors than humans and they even have an extra organ, the vomeronasal organ, on the roof of their mouth for the purpose of processing smells. Their long snouts are ideal for reading ‘scent mail’, or as I say to my girl, her ‘pee mail’ and they learn about the world by putting their nose to anything that seems interesting.
You could put your nose to the same tree your dog has been sniffing for the past minute and get nothing but a whiff of woodsy bark, but your dog picks up on a lot more. They can tell if another dog recently passed through the area and approximately how long ago. Not only that, they can tell the dog’s gender, what they like to eat and what kind of mood they were in. Asking a dog to not sniff during a walk is the same as asking a person to walk around wearing a blindfold. Dogs rely on their noses to tell them important things about the world and the time they spend on their walks is time spent catching up on the neighbourhood news.
Here are two of our residents who would love to check out a new neighbourhood.
Boss – Mixed Breed
DOB
01/02/19
Here is a very affectionate boy, who, because of his size, often gets overlooked, even to go for a walk. He’s strong and excited to get out of his cage, but soon settles down when he’s outside. He’s in a stressful environment where other dogs see him as a threat because he’s a big lad. He’s a good dog who walks beautifully on the lead.
Elton – Lab Cross
DOB
15/01/2019
A very friendly boy, he craves affection, loves a fuss on a walk, but if he passes the park he wants to play ball. He is good with other dogs. Elton is another dog who doesn’t always get a walk as volunteers are put off by his size.
Donations are always very welcome:
PayPal losinfiernosdogs@gmail.com
Please use the Friends & Family Option so we get the full donation. We accept donations in Euros and Sterling.
For details of dogs to adopt, contact the shelter on Facebook Los Infiernos Protectora Supporters, or email
losinfiernosdogs@gmail.com
Dog walkers are always needed on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings from 9am-1pm. We especially need walkers who are experienced with the bigger stronger dogs.
When an eighty-five pound mammal licks your tears away, then tries to sit on your lap, it’s hard to feel sad.
Kristan Higgins