Vet shares a simple walking trick that’ll tire your dog more than running — and it’s great for the mental health too

Most dog owners understand the importance of regular exercise, but there’s more to a healthy walk than just physical movement. A recent video shared on TikTok by Dr. Emma Gober, a licensed veterinarian known by the handle @jellymewster, is making dog lovers rethink their daily routines. In the viral clip, Dr. Gober offers a simple but powerful reminder that could change the way you walk your dog. She suggests that this simple trick can help your dog get more out of their walk routine while also supporting their mental health.

In her video, Dr. Gober begins by saying, "Did you know that taking your dog for a sniffing walk will actually tire them out more than taking them on a run or a longer distance walk would?" She then explains that while physical activity is important, mental stimulation plays an equally vital role in a dog’s overall well-being. "Sniffing is ultimately how dogs interpret the world. It’s their equivalent of reading the newspaper or checking their social media pages," she adds, making the concept easy to relate to.

Throughout the video, she gently encourages pet owners to take their dogs on walks designed solely for sniffing. She says this can be a deeply enriching experience for dogs and can help support their emotional and mental health over time. "This does not in any way mean that dogs don’t also enjoy physical activity; they absolutely do," Dr. Gober clarifies. "This is simply a reminder to incorporate mental stimulation into your pet’s life to improve their quality of life."

As she finishes her message, the video shows her walking with her own dog, Magic, who appears calm and content. She mentions they had been on a sniff walk for about 20 minutes and jokes that Magic would probably sleep for the next five hours. In her closing words, she shares, "I hope you guys found this helpful." Her practical advice clearly resonated, as the video gained over 254.6K views since it was posted. Dr. Gober also urges viewers to try this unique and effective walking style, adding in the caption, "I encourage everyone to try it if they haven’t already, your pups will love it!"

Many internet users shared their own experiences in the comment section. @ems_silverlining joked, "My Beagle controls the walks. He has two settings: 1. The 'Wait woman, I have to sniff every single grass' or 2. The 'Keep up, woman, I am on a hunt.' He mixes up these two settings within a walk without any warnings. I see a dislocated shoulder in my future." @b3babe also shared a light-hearted comment, "This is a good thing because [sic] my dog is more of a sniffer than a  mover." @appygirl54 wrote, "As a professional dog walker, I always allow the dogs I walk to sniff as much as they want. I give them all an hour walk and they come back so happy."

For more helpful pet advice, follow @jellymewster on TikTok.