You might be familiar with scent training as something sniffer dogs do at airports. But did you know that scent training can also help your reactive Fido? If your dog lunges, barks, or generally goes a bit bonkers when faced with a trigger, scent work might just be the trick you didn’t know you needed. And no, it’s not just for police dogs and drug squads—it’s for your couch-loving furchild too! Can scent training help your reactive dog? Read on to find out more.
What is Scent Training?
At its core, scent training is about helping your dog identify and follow a specific smell. Dogs have an amazing sense of smell thousands of times better than ours! This makes it a perfect activity for engaging their minds and redirecting their focus, particularly when they’re dealing with something stressful like big feelings that are causing them to have an overwhelm episode.
When a dog is reactive, their brain is working overtime, and they’re overwhelmed by the world around them. They go into a sort of sensory overload, and that’s where the barking, lunging, and overall chaos come from – an overflowing bucket. Scent work can be a way to cut through the chaos and give them something constructive to focus on instead.
How Can Scent Training Help Your Reactive Dog?
Scent training can provide a mental workout for your dog. Instead of spiralling into an anxiety-driven response when they see another dog or a trigger, they can use their brain to sniff out the treats or toys hidden for them. It’s kind of like switching your brain from overdrive to “game on!” (I had to sneak in our tagline there, didn’t I?).
When your dog is nose-deep in sniffing for a treat, their reactivity is reduced because they’re focusing on something more rewarding than barking at that scary cyclist. This redirection is especially helpful in situations where your dog’s usual behaviour would be to lose their cool.
A Fun Scent Game to Try
Let’s introduce a game I call “Scent and Seek.” This game will not only entertain your dog but also help manage their reactivity by giving them a calming and rewarding activity to focus on.
Scent and Seek Game
What you’ll need:
- A few small treats or toys with a strong smell (think liver treats or your dog’s favourite plush toy).
- A quiet space to start the game (your living room or garden will do nicely).
- Your dog’s enthusiasm (they usually bring this on their own).
How to play:
1. Start Simple: Begin by letting your dog sniff the treat or toy in your hand. Make it clear what scent they’ll be searching for.
2. Hide and Wait: While your dog is distracted (or in another room), hide the treat or toy in an easy-to-find spot—under a chair, behind a cushion, or on top of a rug. Make sure it’s visible at first.
3. Release the Hound: Encourage your dog to find the treat or toy. You can use a cue like “find it!” or “sniff it out!” and cheer them on as they get close. I even tell Stan Lee if he’s ‘hot’ or ‘cold’.
4. Celebrate: When your dog finds the item, have a mini party! Reward them with praise, another treat, or a quick game with the toy.
5. Level Up: As your dog gets better, start making the hiding spots trickier. Hide the item behind doors, under boxes, or even in the garden. Increase the challenge slowly to keep them engaged but not frustrated.
Why Scent and Seek Works
The beauty of this game is that it redirects your dog’s energy. When they focus on using their powerful nose, their mind has less space to worry about triggers. It’s a great tool to use both in the home and on walks.
Let’s say you’re out and about, and your dog spots a trigger—another dog or a cyclist whizzing by. Before they react, you can get their attention by whipping out one of their favourite toys or treats and engaging them in a quick round of Scent and Seek. A simple game of sniffing for a hidden treat can help take the edge off a potentially reactive situation, putting their mind to work on something far more rewarding than barking at a stranger.
Why Scent Training is Better Than Just Asking Your Dog to “Sit”
You’ve probably heard this advice before: when your dog gets reactive, just make them sit or lie down. This doesn’t usually work as it doesn’t address the root cause of their reactivity. Your dog isn’t acting out just because they’re disobedient—they’re likely anxious, over-excited, or overwhelmed. Asking them to “sit” in these moments is like asking you to recite the alphabet backwards while you’re in the middle of a panic attack. Not helpful, right? Some dogs can manage a “sit” but if you look closely, you’ll see that they’re struggling to hold it together on the inside. Stillness is not a dog’s friend when they’re struggling with overwhelm.
Scent training, on the other hand, taps into your dog’s natural instincts. They get to use their nose (which they love) and engage their brain, providing a sense of accomplishment and relaxation. Plus, it gives them a break from the stress of whatever was triggering them in the first place.
How to Get Started with Scent Training
You don’t need fancy equipment or specialised training to get started. Games like Scent and Seek are easy to incorporate into your daily routine. If your dog enjoys it and you see improvements in their behaviour, you can explore more advanced scent work courses or workshops, which can be a fun bonding experience for you and your dog.
Scent training is also a great way to build confidence. Many reactive dogs are reactive because they lack confidence in stressful situations. By engaging them in scent games, you give them an activity where they can succeed and feel good about themselves. Every time your dog finds the treat or toy, it’s a little victory, and those victories add up to a more confident dog overall.
Wrapping Up: Can Scent Training Help Your Reactive Dog?
So, can scent training help your reactive dog? I say yes! By engaging your dog’s nose and brain, scent work can help reduce their reactivity and give them a more productive way to handle stress. Games like Scent and Seek are fun, easy to do, and can be a great tool in your dog training toolkit.
If you want more tips and tricks for training your dog, head over to my blog page where I cover everything from puppy development stages to understanding resource guarding.
Game On! Let’s Play!
Hxx
This blog has been written with the assistance of AI