Sniffing to a dog is like reading the newspaper - what came through- what wasa it- how long ago etc. the ability to sniff around also I believe is a form of stimulation. If I am show conditioning, I take the one and just walk but its on a show lead. So far- each knows the difference - flexi whatever just do not pull, show lead- just walk. ( quickly.. argh- such long legs they have.. lol )

Now my breed naturally walks as a pack- they were bred that way. Its funny to see all 4 walk along- literally stride for stride. I didn't teach them that- its a natural behavior. Occasionally one of them will think they see something, but with the prior training of abrupt turns in the opposite direction- now they just stop and stare. lol. In my breed- I watch the ears- if the ears go up, something is spotted ( like a deer etc). I usually say " okay- lets go home now.." and slowly turn to back home.

As far As Cesar Milan- there are some good points and some bad. The flooding method- I have seen that backfire as much as it works- and I never push a dog that hard with a fear. However- his work with aggressive dogs, that lacked clear instructions- some of the shows are pretty good. Its sad it was lacking all that time before. My dogs understand the order from day one who is who in the pack order. I feed, give treats, and even allow the dogs out the door in a certain order. Its always Hottie, Femka, Zubin, and Galina. And- If Zubin isnt careful and comes flying around the corner into " Hotties space- " and Hottie reacts- we back up Hottie by scolding Zubin. Zubin learns to be more careful around " the boss dog". Also his point on calm and assertive- I have noticed over the years the worry and fear in the owners, causes more problems. This works too.
I use to be really negative about Cesar. Some of his points work- some can NOT be done with every breed type. And the use of a high placed collar, or a prong collar- I have never had to use them, then again- I had clear instruction from the start too..