Patterns, not prescriptions

Some days your dog needs more help to settle than others. Sniff helps you discover patterns in their day and explore what helps them. Record the activities you do, along with walks and meals, then look back at how your routine changes from one day to the next.

What you log

Activities

Your dog's activities sit on one screen as big tiles. Each time you do an activity, tap it to record it. Record repeats too, so you can see the routine as it happened.

Walks

Record walks once you're home. Add how long you were out, then choose any other details you want to remember, such as where you went, how many dogs you saw and what your dog did.

Food

Record when you feed your dog, so meals sit alongside walks and activities in the daily history.

Weather

If you choose to turn it on, Sniff adds the day's local weather using your approximate location.

Activities to try

Sniffing, licking and chewing give dogs an outlet for natural behaviours and can help them unwind. Find activities your dog enjoys, keep them manageable, and leave room for quiet rest too.

Snuffle mat

A mat that hides small pieces of food for your dog to sniff out. Start with the food easy to find, then let them explore at their own pace.

Lick mat

A textured mat spread with a little suitable soft food. Licking can be soothing and gives your dog something gentle to focus on. Stay nearby while they use it.

Chew

Chewing is a natural behaviour and can be a soothing way to spend time. Choose a chew suited to your dog's size, health and chewing habits. Hard items such as bones, antlers and hooves can damage teeth; ask your vet if you're unsure what suits your dog. Supervise and stop using a chew if it breaks into pieces they could swallow.

Treat toy

A food toy gives your dog something to lick, nose or chew as they work the food out. Choose one made for dogs and suited to how yours uses it. Check it for damage and supervise them.

Scatter treats

Scatter a little of their usual food in a safe, clear area and let their nose lead the way. Start with a small, easy search.

Puzzle feeder

A feeder that makes finding food a small challenge. Start easy. If your dog seems frustrated, simplify it or try something else.

Play

Tug, searching for a toy or a game of fetch: choose something your dog enjoys. Short games count. Use suitable toys and leave time to wind down afterwards; play doesn't have to be about wearing them out.

Training

A few minutes practising a familiar skill or learning something new together. Use rewards, keep sessions short and work at your dog's pace. Finish with something they can do comfortably.

Affection

Gentle strokes or quiet company, when your dog wants them. Let them come to you and move away when they've had enough. Sitting beside you can count; a cuddle isn't everyone's favourite.

Walks

A chance to move, sniff and explore at a comfortable pace. Choose surroundings your dog can cope with, and give them space from things they find worrying. Record the walk when you're home.

Food

Record when you feed your dog, so meals sit alongside walks and activities in their routine. It's a simple record to look back on, not a feeding plan or a judgement about meal times.

Keep it comfortable

Stay nearby with chews, mats and food toys. Use food that suits your dog and count treats and enrichment food towards their daily allowance. If an activity frustrates or worries them, stop and try something easier. Quiet rest matters too.

A little guidance

These are general ideas. Your vet or behaviourist can help you choose what suits your dog. If their behaviour changes or you're concerned, speak to your vet.

How patterns appear

Some days your dog needs more help to settle than others. Recording what you do and when helps you look back at those differences.

You might notice more activities after busier walks, repeated activities close together, or a routine that continues later into the evening. Sniff highlights patterns in your records so you can recognise what they mean in everyday life, or discuss them with your behaviourist.

The honest bit

Sniff shows patterns in what you record. A gap between entries doesn't tell it whether your dog was resting, you were busy or you simply didn't record something.

You know the context, and can review the patterns yourself or with your behaviourist.

What it can't tell you

Sniff can't tell you exactly when your dog settled, why their behaviour changed or which activity caused a change. It doesn't diagnose or recommend treatment.

If you're concerned about a change in your dog's behaviour, speak to your vet. For behaviour support, look for an appropriately qualified professional, such as through the ABTC register.

Patterns, not prescriptions

Some days your dog needs more help to settle than others. Sniff helps you discover patterns in their day and explore what helps them. Record the activities you do, along with walks and meals, then look back at how your routine changes from one day to the next.

What you log

Activities

Your dog's activities sit on one screen as big tiles. Each time you do an activity, tap it to record it. Record repeats too, so you can see the routine as it happened.

Walks

Record walks once you're home. Add how long you were out, then choose any other details you want to remember, such as where you went, how many dogs you saw and what your dog did.

Food

Record when you feed your dog, so meals sit alongside walks and activities in the daily history.

Weather

If you choose to turn it on, Sniff adds the day's local weather using your approximate location.

Activities to try

Sniffing, licking and chewing give dogs an outlet for natural behaviours and can help them unwind. Find activities your dog enjoys, keep them manageable, and leave room for quiet rest too.

Snuffle mat

A mat that hides small pieces of food for your dog to sniff out. Start with the food easy to find, then let them explore at their own pace.

Lick mat

A textured mat spread with a little suitable soft food. Licking can be soothing and gives your dog something gentle to focus on. Stay nearby while they use it.

Chew

Chewing is a natural behaviour and can be a soothing way to spend time. Choose a chew suited to your dog's size, health and chewing habits. Hard items such as bones, antlers and hooves can damage teeth; ask your vet if you're unsure what suits your dog. Supervise and stop using a chew if it breaks into pieces they could swallow.

Treat toy

A food toy gives your dog something to lick, nose or chew as they work the food out. Choose one made for dogs and suited to how yours uses it. Check it for damage and supervise them.

Scatter treats

Scatter a little of their usual food in a safe, clear area and let their nose lead the way. Start with a small, easy search.

Puzzle feeder

A feeder that makes finding food a small challenge. Start easy. If your dog seems frustrated, simplify it or try something else.

Play

Tug, searching for a toy or a game of fetch: choose something your dog enjoys. Short games count. Use suitable toys and leave time to wind down afterwards; play doesn't have to be about wearing them out.

Training

A few minutes practising a familiar skill or learning something new together. Use rewards, keep sessions short and work at your dog's pace. Finish with something they can do comfortably.

Affection

Gentle strokes or quiet company, when your dog wants them. Let them come to you and move away when they've had enough. Sitting beside you can count; a cuddle isn't everyone's favourite.

Walks

A chance to move, sniff and explore at a comfortable pace. Choose surroundings your dog can cope with, and give them space from things they find worrying. Record the walk when you're home.

Food

Record when you feed your dog, so meals sit alongside walks and activities in their routine. It's a simple record to look back on, not a feeding plan or a judgement about meal times.

Keep it comfortable

Stay nearby with chews, mats and food toys. Use food that suits your dog and count treats and enrichment food towards their daily allowance. If an activity frustrates or worries them, stop and try something easier. Quiet rest matters too.

A little guidance

These are general ideas. Your vet or behaviourist can help you choose what suits your dog. If their behaviour changes or you're concerned, speak to your vet.

How patterns appear

Some days your dog needs more help to settle than others. Recording what you do and when helps you look back at those differences.

You might notice more activities after busier walks, repeated activities close together, or a routine that continues later into the evening. Sniff highlights patterns in your records so you can recognise what they mean in everyday life, or discuss them with your behaviourist.

The honest bit

Sniff shows patterns in what you record. A gap between entries doesn't tell it whether your dog was resting, you were busy or you simply didn't record something.

You know the context, and can review the patterns yourself or with your behaviourist.

What it can't tell you

Sniff can't tell you exactly when your dog settled, why their behaviour changed or which activity caused a change. It doesn't diagnose or recommend treatment.

If you're concerned about a change in your dog's behaviour, speak to your vet. For behaviour support, look for an appropriately qualified professional, such as through the ABTC register.