A dog’s nose is often one of their most adorable features, but it’s hardly just decorative. Dogs have more than 200 million olfactory receptors in their nose, while humans have only about 5 million. The part of their brain dedicated to analyzing smells is 40 times better than our noses, as well. Nosework is a dog sport that capitalizes on a dog’s superior smeller, and it can be a great option to consider with your dog.
What Is Nosework?
Nosework is a dog sport that is modeled after the training methods used to teach professional scent detection dogs, such as those used in law enforcement for detecting explosives and narcotics. Nose work for dogs was designed to give domestic dogs a productive outlet for their energy and instincts, capitalizing on a dog’s amazing sense of smell.
One of the great aspects of canine scent work is its inclusivity. Dogs of any breed, age, or size can participate in nosework events. It’s also an excellent sport for dogs with disabilities or those who are shy or reactive, as it can be done individually and doesn’t require physical contact with strangers or other dogs.
Another great aspect of nose work for dogs is that very little equipment is needed, which makes it easy and affordable. The only nosework supplies you need are the scent canisters and the scents. We sell the canisters on our websites, and the scents can be purchased online or at local stores that sell essential oils, such as a health food store.
Most nose work competitions, which are often just called trials, will include three different scents that dogs must detect. These scents include birch, anise and clove. These scents, also called target odors, were chosen because they aren’t scents you’d typically find in everyday environments. This ensures that the dogs don’t become confused, both during training and during competitions.
How Can Nose Work Benefit Your Dog?
If you’ve been looking for fun activities for you and your dog, aside from the typical daily walk, nose work for dogs can be a good option to consider. This sport has many benefits, including.
1. Nosework Provides Mental Stimulation
Dogs love to walk and run and chase a ball, and while all of these activities provide exercise, it can be wise to schedule activities with your dog that challenge them mentally. Often providing sources of mental and physical exercise, such as dog scent work, can reduce problem behavior, such as chewing or excessive barking. Sometimes dogs display these types of behavior because they have too much energy. Expending this energy, whether by nosework, dog agility, hide and seek or other games, can help your dog feel more content and relaxed.
2. Nosework Provides Some Physical Exercise
In general, nose work training for dogs provides an excellent source of mental exercise, but it also includes a bit of physical exercise, as well. When you first get started with nosework, the level of exercise likely will be lower than after your dog has committed the three scents to memory.
At first, you will simply hide the canisters in an easy-to-find spot. As your dog’s proficiency increases, however, you can hide the scent canisters in harder areas, which means your dog will get to scurry around and perhaps search through cardboard boxes, under a heap of blankets or perhaps a pile of leaves to find the canister, and this can expend some of your dog’s natural energy.
3. Nosework Can Reduce Stress & Anxiety
If your dog seems prone to stress or anxiety (or both), K9 nose work can be a good activity to consider. Because of its focus and mental engagement, nosework can be used almost as a form of therapy.
Because your dog expends energy during training, both physically and mentally, this can help them relax and, to some extent, forget about their worries. If you have an anxious pooch, finding good daily sources of physical and mental exercise can be a great way to lower stress levels and as dogs search for the scent canisters they can leave their troubles behind and focus on some fun.
Additionally, many dogs with anxiety benefit from positive reinforcement training methods. With nose work, they will enjoy praise and treats for a job well done and this builds confidence, which can reduce anxiety.
4. Nosework Can Improve Your Bond
Anytime you are working closely with your dog, whether it’s running around on a dog obstacle course, working on obedience skills, or dog nose work, this can strengthen your bond. Nosework, dog agility training and other fun activities can be a great way to get to know a new rescue dog. Rescues often are timid and uncertain about their new environments, but playing some fun games can generate enthusiasm and help them loosen up and feel more comfortable.
How To Train Your Dog
In general, the first step is to introduce the scents and we recommend starting with just one scent and then adding a new scent once your dog can recognize and find the first scent fairly easily.
Often, the first step is to simply place the scent canister on the ground and let your dog sniff the canister. Be sure to reward them with a small treat, so that they associate the scent with a positive reward. Then hide the canister in an easy-to-find spot and reward your dog when they’ve discovered it. At first, you may need to lead them around to help them find the canister.
Early on, it’s best to work in the same room and simply hide the canister in different spots. This will ensure that you don’t introduce any distracting scents. Once they have mastered finding the scent anywhere in the initial room, you can branch out to other rooms and eventually even head outside to have them find the scent. Once that has been achieve, you can repeat this process with a new scent.
While you can take your dog to certified nose work instructors for training, it’s not difficult to train your dog on your own. It can be fun, however, to join a local scent work group, as this not only makes training easier but also can increase your social circle and provide some fun socialization for your dog, as well.
The websites of the National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW) as well as the American Kennel Club offer some helpful resources, and you also can find tutorials on YouTube and other sites that can provide you with helpful training tips.
Get Started With Nosework
As our name suggests, at Carlson Agility, we sell a huge selection of quality dog agility equipment, but we also sell nosework supplies. Our selection includes a set of three nose work canisters as well as a six-canister set that includes a wooden storage platform. These durable canisters are the same type of high-quality canisters you would find at competitions. If you have any questions about our nosework gear or our agility equipment, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at any time.
