When Trico had a broken leg, we did scent work in bed for him to help him cope with recovery.  We did the same for Kiba when she had a foot injury.

 

Learning basic scent detection is a valuable therapeutic outlet for any dog and handler, and there are loads of fun sports to compete in. It also grows confidence in both the dog, and handler no matter what lifestyle you both have. What does the activity look like?

​

It's easy:

1. The handler hides the target odor in a special vessel somewhere in the chosen environment.

2. The dog is brought into the environment after.

3. The dog is given the cue to search for source odor.

4. Once the dog finds the source odor, he demonstrates a behavior indicating to the handler he found it.

5. The handler reads the dog and pays him for his success!

 

This activity is easy to learn, and fun for all family members.​

​

​

Scent detection not only is an additional outlet for odor, but it is an interactive one with you. Here is a better look at the benefits:

​

• The act of sniffing can be a calming and relaxing experience for dogs, helping to reduce stress and anxiety.

• Scent detection can help dogs develop better focus, confidence, and attention. 

• Challenging them to problem solve helps stimulate them mentally and improves their cognition.

• Scent detection is a collaborative activity that strengthens the bond between dog and handler as they work together to achieve a common goal, especially because it helps the handler learn how to grow reading their dogs cues.

• Its flexible in many ways. If you or your dog have a disability, scent detection is an activity that is friendly for everyone! It can also be taken to any environment from the grocery store to the mountains, or even just in your own living room. You can even share this outlet with dogs who struggle with reactivity, and aggression. The list goes on!

​

 

Fun Facts:

​

​

​

​​

​

​

​

 

​

Humans have unique fingerprints, but did you know dogs have unique nose prints?

 

Did you know dogs can smell in three dimensions, using their nostrils independently to pinpoint the location and origin of scents?  

 

Did you know dogs can detect tiny changes in the air, effectively giving them the superpower of telling time?

​

A quick google search will pull up all kinds of fascinating info about a dog's nose, and all the useful things they use their superpower for, but did you know that it's also one of their daily needs?

​

Dogs need to be able to exercise their nose daily. Taking them on a walk usually isn't about physical exercise, because their body adapts to that level of physical exercise in a short period, and it no longer puts that healthy stress on them. What it DOES do is take your dog to novel odors away from home. Novel odors on a daily basis is key. Smell the squirrel that passed by the neighbor's bush, check the pee mail at the corner, all the scents our shoes carry to the front door of a grocery store, etc...

 

Although Scent detection is on a specific odor, it adds so much to the dog's life. You can even make small car kits to keep in your glove box. Waiting for the kids for school pickup? Snag your kit and do a quick 3 minuet rep while you are there!

 

Fun for the whole family, inexpensive, and easy to achieve. ​​​​​​​​​​​

We hope you join us in playing scent detection games!