Companion Animals

Companion Dog Nose Work and Scent Enrichment

Scent-based enrichment satisfies dogs' powerful olfactory drives and provides mental stimulation.

Key Facts

Dogs have up to 300 million olfactory receptors compared to 6 million in humans
Nose work and scent games have been shown to reduce dog stress hormones
Sniffing walks where dogs lead the pace provide more mental stimulation than faster walks
Scatter feeding and hiding food engages natural foraging behaviours

Welfare Considerations

Dogs denied opportunities for sniffing and scent-based exploration are denied one of their primary modes of understanding the world. Walks that are purely physical exercise without scent opportunities are less enriching than slower walks with sniffing opportunities. Nose work activities provide mental engagement that reduces anxiety and promotes positive emotional states. Scent enrichment is low-cost and high-impact for dog welfare.

What You Can Do

Allow your dog to sniff extensively on walks rather than maintaining a constant pace
Practice nose work games at home including finding hidden treats
Provide scatter feeding in grass rather than from a bowl
Consider nose work classes as a sport and enrichment activity for your dog