Scent-sational dogs: Expert tips to help your dog enjoy the outdoors

Are you confident that you have the tools you need to help your dog enjoy the outdoors safely? This autumn, we’ve asked Nick Jones, an independent dog behaviourist with over 25 years of hands-on experience working with dogs and their owners across the UK, for his hints and tips, before you explore one of our hand-picked dog-friendly sensory spaces.

“As a dog behaviourist, I know how much being outdoors benefits a dog’s well-being. To truly enjoy these adventures, I’ve shared my ‘Golden Rules’ for responsible, safe, and fulfilling walks.” – Nick Jones

Here are Nick’s Golden Rules:  

1. Practice control and management to build a great relationship between you and your dog

The foundation of a successful walk lies in good levels of control and consistent management, based on your dog's existing level of training. 

Staying connected to your dog on a mental level is important and you can do this through numerous quick recalls and high value rewards, such as your dog’s favourite healthy treat or a toy that creates a natural drive to return. This will help keep you at the centre of the walk, rather than chasing your dog throughout.

Sensible use of regular leads or longer training lines can increase control if your dog is not fully recall-trained. Introducing the sound of a whistle combined with high value food or a favoured toy is a great way to stay connected with your dog.

Once you have your dog with you, you can implement quick sit, down and stay commands, or a random blend of these, to gently remind your dog that it is under your influence. Make it a happy experience and that returning to you is always the most worthwhile option. 

Practice these basic controls in varied, low-pressure settings, gently weaving these lessons into each walk, rather than making it feel like a formal training session.

2. Connecting with your dog: Practice a solid recall

The single most important safety tool you possess is a solid recall. It’s an essential skill that ensures your dog's safety around unexpected distractions like traffic, livestock, or wildlife. Practice it frequently, starting in safe, low-distraction areas - aim for a formal recall every 5-10 minutes during an hour-long walk - that way you’ll have a good ratio if your dog is in training. Dogs without recall ability shouldn’t be let off a lead and a long line should be used. If you are new to recall training for the first time, consistency is key. Don’t repeat your cue and stay calm at all times.  

Trained dogs (and owners) can take a more relaxed approach to recall. Use high-value rewards, a practiced whistle signal, and a long training line to make coming back to you the most rewarding choice they can make. This consistent reinforcement is key to maintaining control when their instincts might otherwise take over.

By following the above approach, you’ll be placing yourself in a pro-active and successful position for each recall. Dogs can learn to ignore you and disengage if they can move away from your recall efforts. Using volume and frustration in your voice to implement the recall is not normally effective and is too stressful for many, so be realistic about where you are with your dog in this respect and build from there. Seeking the help of a professional could help move you forward if you’re struggling.

3. Be prepared and equipped

A responsible owner is always prepared. Heading out for walks well-equipped ensures you are ready for all eventualities, providing safety and comfort for both you and your dog. Your essential kit should include:

• Training tools: A bag with high-value treats, toys and a whistle for recall practice.
• Sustenance and clothing: Adequate food and water for both of you. Suitable, appropriate clothing for the conditions, taking into account the forecast and how long you’ll be outside.
• Safety gear: A phone (ensure your In Case of Emergency details are up to date), multiple leash options - a short lead for control near hazards and a longer line for safe exploration - and a small first aid kit for dogs and humans.
• Comfort & mindfulness: Carry a settle mat or blanket. If you plan to stop for a break or a coffee, having a dedicated mat can help your dog relax in a new environment. Also, consider a small notebook for a "walk journal" or a pair of binoculars. Being mindful of your surroundings and taking notes or sketches will help both of you - it will encourage you to be present and share the experience with your dog.

4. Proactive management: Reading your dog’s signals
A truly good walk is a mindful one, which means focusing on alertness to surroundings and your dog’s subtle body language. This tells you if they are enjoying the walk or becoming stressed.

How will I know that my dog is enjoying their walk? 
A happy dog will typically demonstrate relaxed body language: a loose, natural posture; a wagging tail (which will beat harder when following a fresh scent); and a nose close to the ground as they engage with the environment. Your dog is likely to move further away from you while remaining engaged with you throughout, exploring the senses available to them.

A relaxed and trained dog will be able to venture off lead, enjoy the environment, and return on a regular basis as you call them back various times across the walk to reconnect, have a fuss and to go off again. You’ll see your dog engage all of its senses as it explores its surroundings. Observe your dog as it reacts to the various stimulating aspects on each walk; watch as they suddenly stop and double back to sniff a scent they have just passed, or maybe freeze momentarily to look, listen and identify where a sound came from. Watching your dog closely like this helps you understand and interpret the sensory experiences your dog is having, which in turn brings you closer into their world.

How can I spot signs of nervousness?
Signs of anxiety that indicate a dog may be overwhelmed, especially in a new place, include: staying unusually close to your heel (clinging); hyper-vigilance or freezing; overt lip-licking; or failing to engage with the natural senses available on the walk. Negative or stiff interactions with other dogs or people can also signal stress. Recognising these signs allows you to intervene, create space, and keep your dog comfortable.

We also need to be alert to distractions. Country walks present many challenges, from other dogs and their owners to bikes, children, vehicles, and wildlife. The key is to anticipate such distractions by thinking ahead and expressing sensible levels of control that are realistic given your dog’s level of training.

Sensory adventures await
Getting outdoors is fundamentally good for a dog's physical and mental health. It is an opportunity to strengthen your bond and practice essential life skills outside of the home. By making the above ‘Golden Rules’ the foundation of every outing, you turn a simple walk into a rewarding, safe, and sensory adventure. This autumn, pack up your unit and head to one of the Club’s many Dog Friendly Campsites.

We’ve discovered that dogs have heightened senses and feel things very differently from humans - their sense of smell is 100,000 times more powerful than our own and they can detect sounds four times further away. For our dogs, camping in autumn or at any time of year is a profound sensory journey. Check out our list of top sensory spaces to visit with your dog.