Tired of just playing fetch or tug all the time? Then teach your dog some basic nose work. It’s easy to do and most dogs absolutely love it. To get started you can use some toys or treats you’ve already got on hand, and the best part is you don’t even have to leave home.
The Benefits of Basic Nose Work For Dogs
Nose work and scent games offer your dog a fun way to use their natural talents. Even though a dog’s sense of smell is more than 2000 times more powerful than our own they do still rely on visuals, especially in familiar environments such as your home. Nose work games can help your dog hone in on their natural talents, and it’s a easy way to keep them entertained.
The benefits of teaching your dog nose work include:
• Confidence Builder
• Easy Way to Bond with Your Dog
• Gives them a Job to Do
• It’s Fun and Rewarding for Dogs
• Mental Stimulation
• Physical Stimulation
Nose Work Is Simple to Train and Can Benefit All Dog Owners
If you’re looking for an easy way to keep your dog entertained on a rainy day the ‘find’ command is your new best friend. Dogs love having a job to do, something to keep their minds busy. With the find command you’re using their natural talent in a constructive way to keep them mentally stimulated. The “find it” command can be one of the most versatile and fun games you can teach you dog.
Dogs have been bred to work alongside us. Teaching them to use their natural talent of smell keeps them happy and entertained. It gives them a feeling of purpose. Dogs thrive when they feel like they have a job to do and it’s even better when it’s something as simple as teaching them to sniff things out for you.
Remember a tired dog is a well behaved dog. Keeping them mentally and physically fit is your responsibility. Give your dog a purpose by teaching him to sniff things out for you. Dogs thrive when they’re given a job. Nose work is an easy example that anyone can do in their own home.
One of the best things about teaching a dog some basic nose work is that their never too young or old to learn. It’s a great activity for any dog given they have the proper motivation. And of course there’s the bonus of not having to go out and buy any special equipment – it can be done anywhere with something as simple as kibble.
Choosing the Right Treats or Toys for Nose Work
To entice your dog to search you’ll need something enticing. I often use air-dried dog food, but you can one of their favourite toys. If you’re dogs both play and food motivated, they may by happy just to search for some regular old kibble, but not all dogs will be so willing.
If your dog is a little picky, then choose their favourite toy or treat to begin. People often use really high value treats such as roast chicken or a favourite treats they don’t get very often. Using treats that smell different in highly distracting environments adds that little extra ‘whoa what is that smell’ which can help keep your dog focused.
How to Start With Some Basic Nose Work
Your dog should have a good stay command and a reliable recall in place before you begin.
Your dog is going to need a command such as “find it” that you can use to signal when the nose work starts. If you already use “find it” for something different, say having your dog go fetch a specific toy, you may want to come up with a different term specific for nose work.
To start the game have your dog stay at a given location. While he’s watching you go place a bit of food or his favourite toy at the other end of the room. When you give the cue to release your dog tell him to “find it.” After a few repetitions he’ll know what you’re expecting him to do.
Once your dog seems to know “find it” you can step it up a notch. While your dog is in the stay position put the treat or toy out of his line of sight.
The idea with this search activity is to gradually build up to new distances and areas. When first starting out keep the game centred in one or two rooms. If you’re confident that your dog knows the “find it” command it’s time to move onto the next step by hiding things around the house.
Which Hand: The Easiest Nose Work Game
One of the first nose work games you can teach your dog is the which hand game. It’s the simplest method to get your dog used to using his nose rather than eyes.
With a small piece of food or treat on hand put it inside one of your hands and close your fists while your dog is watching. Present your dog with both hands and ask him “which hand?” If your dog doesn’t have great manners and begins to gnaw or scratch at your hand you’ll probably want to work on some impulse control while you’re at it.
Praise them when they lightly nudge, put their nose on your hand, or paws at the correct hand – whichever behaviour you prefer.
If your dog chooses the wrong hand open them up to show them where the treat is. Don’t give them the treat if they choose the wrong hand, but don’t scold them either. Just close your fists and try again. When they get it right give them a ton of praise and reward them with the treat. Eventually with simple games like this your dog will begin to start using their natural talent – their nose, rather then relying on visuals.
Nose Work Game: Hiding Things Around the House
Even though dogs have a sense of smell 2000 times greater than ours they tend to use their eyes a lot. Nose work games will help them focus on smells. To teach your dog to use their nose instead of visuals you’ll want to start with an object that’s really smelly.
Have your dog sit in the stay position. Place the treat around the corner or just slightly out of line of sight and tell your dog to go “find it.” Some dogs might get a little frustrated at first if they’re not able to find the treat immediately.
You can encourage and praise them when their close, you can even point it out to them if their having trouble. You’re aiming to make it fun and exciting for them, so make sure you praise your dog like crazy when they find it.
When teaching your dog this step you can make it easier on them by dragging the object on the floor or making ‘scent pads’ so it will be easier for them to track with their nose. As your dog becomes more adept at sniffing things out you can up the challenge. Place objects on chairs, under rugs, on the couch or on window sills – anywhere their not going to see right away.
Nose Work Is Extremely Versatile
Basic nose work games are versatile. They can be done in any environment, with any number of toys or treats. You don’t need to rush out to the store and buy any fancy equipment – and it can be played pretty much anywhere, indoors or out.
When you’ve worked on the basics for a while your dog will begin to develop the ability to better differentiate between smells. You can advance their skill by focusing on one specific toy and having them focus on finding it amongst other items.
Scent work activity is a lot of fun for dogs – it makes them feel useful and productive. Dogs have been bred to work alongside us, they thrive when they’re given tasks to do.
Meaningful play is important to your dog and it helps build a better bond. It’s different than regular game of fetch – it’s mentally stimulating.
How to Play the Which Hand Game:
• Put a treat in one of your hands as your dog is watching
• Close your fists and extend both hands out towards your dog
• Ask your dog “which hand?” and wait for them to choose
• If they choose the correct hand praise them like and open your fist to give them the treat
• If they choose the wrong hand open them up to show them and try again
It’s important not to scold or discourage your dog if they choose the wrong hand. The purpose of this game is to encourage your dog to start using their nose rather than eyes, so it’s important to keep the game fun and rewarding.
How to Play “Find It” AKA Hiding Things Around the House:
• Pick some smelly treats to have your dog find
• As they’re in the stay position start placing treats around the house
• Place some treats in obvious spots, and some in more challenging locations such as under rugs
• Once you have some treats hidden tell your dog to “find it”
• Encourage them as they run around finding treats
• If they’re missing some you can point or give them clues
To help dogs out when starting this game you can make scent trails for them to follow. You can drag a piece of kibble or dry treat along the floor, making it easier for your dog to smell their way to it. You might want to skip that step if you’re using treats that don’t lend well to dragging such as cheese!