Scent Work for Fun

What is it?

In our scent work class, which I stress is just for fun, we will show you how to teach your dog to use his nose to find different scents.

This activity is great for dogs that love to use their nose more than most, and maybe get distracted when they are out with you, but it’s great for any dog. Someone said they were worried their dog wouldn’t be any good, because he doesn’t use his nose. We will show you how to get your dog interested in using his nose.

The course involves two different, strong scents. Usually we use Truffle Oil and Fish Oil. You will learn how to teach your dog to pay attention to the scent, working, one scent at a time, using scent boxes. As you progress you’ll be able to hide a pot in your garden, without your dog seeing where you put it, and send him off to find it.

By the end of the course, dogs will be working towards being able to find the scent you decide, despite both scents being out around the field.

For an extra bit of fun, based on Truffle hunting, we also teach ‘wipe’. Your dog will learn how to gently scrape the sand away from the scent to find it.

All of this is great for teaching any dog calm behaviour. It gives you so much that you can do at home, around the house and in your garden as well as taking it to the park.

Check out this link to find out just how amazing a dog’s nose is. See why you really need to give your dog opportunity to use his/her nose.

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/article/dogs-sense-of-smell/

There are lots of ways to keep your dog mentally stimulated when you can’t get out and about to do scent work. Take a look at this article for some ideas including a video on how to get started with leg weaving.

If you really want to understand your dog better, why not come along to a Learn to Speak Dog Session

or take it a step beyond and join us for How to Become a Dog Trainer.