In a new series, Toni Shelbourne explores the canine world of senses. This month, we kickstart with the all-important ‘smell’.
Dogs perceive the world primarily through scent; it is their best sense. Their olfactory system (how they smell) is incredible. Canine noses can detect cancer cells, find missing persons, alert people with health conditions, and even locate cadavers in large bodies of water. They have well over 200 million scent receptors compared to our measly few.
This superpower, however, can have negative effects on our dogs. There are many aromas that can be overwhelming or even trigger bad associations, like the smell of fireworks that can still upset a deaf dog. I know one dog who has a fearful reaction to the smell of lamb; he has somehow built up a negative association with it. Other dogs I have worked with seemingly picked up on and reacted to people taking certain medications. I’ve even had clients tell me their dog attacked another in the household when he returned from the groomer or after a stay at the vet’s - I can only put this down to the dog smelling differently. Scent is something to be aware of if your dog suddenly reacts to someone or something.
Of course, we can use odour to our advantage. Introducing the scent of a new animal, or person joining or visiting your household can be useful. You can bring home the scent from a new environment you want to take your nervous dog to. It can even change their opinion of somewhere scary like the vets. This use of smell can be a game-changer for most dogs. Pair something your dog loves with the scent. Let him sniff it first, then immediately reward it with a high-value treat, and repeat often. It’s as simple as that.
We often forget to incorporate scent work or consider its use when enriching our dog’s lives. The act of sniffing activates the seeking system in the brain and releases dopamine. This neurotransmitter helps a dog in so many ways, including calming, learning, attentiveness, and motivation. A slow, sniffy walk can be just as tiring as a run around off lead, but more importantly, it will help him settle once home. This measured activity won’t flood the system with adrenaline like fast exercise will. Many people
