Scent work for all

The nose have it!!!!

If there's one thing that everyone knows about dogs, it's that they have amazing sniffers. Some dogs are trained to detect specific odours to assist humans in a variety of areas of life. While you're probably not looking to put your pet dog to work, there's a great activity you can do that harnesses the power of that superior nose: scent training. Canine scent training has steadily been gaining popularity because it uses your dog's natural talents in a way that's entertaining and stimulating. It’s simple to do at home and it provides both dog and owner a great sense of achievement, especially when they find the little object that has been carefully hidden away. I still marvel at the power of smell a dog has as it carefully plots its way around different surfaces, places and articles, in the quest to find its target. I have witnessed some of the most exuberant dogs slow down dramatically, as they engage their noses to find the goal.

Reasons to start doing Scent Work with your dog

There are several reasons why you might want to enroll your dog in a Scent Work class. Here are four benefits to think about!

Scent Work harnesses your dog’s natural ability

We all know the power of a dog’s nose. Dogs possess up to 300 million olfactory receptors in their noses; for context, humans have about six million. Not only that, but a dog’s nose operates very differently from our own. Their nostrils are able to work independently and separate odours.

It might be hard for humans to imagine, but dogs are experiencing the world with a sense of smell that we can’t even comprehend.

Scent work takes a dog’s capability to locate odours and turns it into an exciting game. Once given the cue to search, your dog will start playing by looking for a specific odour. As your dog undertakes more searches, you’ll see their skill level and confidence begin to improve.

Any dog can take part in Scent Work

There are undoubtedly some dog sports which require a lot of physical exertion. As one example, search and rescue training can involve dogs running for miles through uneven terrain. Agility courses are a demanding test of a dog’s physical capabilities. Although these dog sports are great for active dogs, they may not be ideal for older dogs, or those who may have suffered from injuries which limit their movement.

Scent work is different, it is accessible to all dogs, regardless of their age, breed or physical ability. Even blind dogs or deaf dogs can participate in scent work!

Mental stimulation

Although we often talk about the importance of physical exercise for our pups, mental stimulation is just as pivotal. A lack of mental stimulation can cause your dog to be bored, which can result in destructive behavioural issues.

Scent work encourages your dog to think about the activity. In order to be successful, your dog will need to concentrate and display focus on locating the odour. As your dog learns its new skill, it will increase in confidence and start to enjoy the activity even more.

You can do it by yourselves!

Some activities with your dog require other people, other dogs or lots of additional equipment to make them work. The beauty of scent work is that you can do it with your dog in any environment – at home, in the garden or on walks – and all you’ll need to bring is the small container with your object item.

Getting involved in any dog activity not only increases your dog’s confidence, but it also builds the bond between you and your dog. It is a team sport – as the handler, you have to rely solely on your dog’s nose to locate the hidden odour. Together, you can build trust with each other and start to work together as a well-oiled machine!

Where to start with Scent Work

The 6 week course offered by a trained instructor from RY Dogs in Falmouth, Cornwall, will provide everything you need to get going. It will set all the foundations before finishing with an organised search at a variety of locations. Small classes facilitate effective learning for dogs of all ages and demeanours (1-2-1 training also available on request). It’s a skill that once learnt, can become part of your dog’s daily enrichment.

To enquire about scent work contact roy@rydogs.co.uk or visit the website www.rydogs.co.uk