Nose Work You Can Do With Your Dog at Home
Did you know that dogs have a brain region dedicated to processing smells that is seven times larger than our own? It’s common to undervalue the excellent sense of smell that our dogs possess. Our furry pals use their strong noses to explore the world around them, while humans mostly use their eyes! Use this article to understand the superpower of your pet and learn how to develop it over time!
Why Nose Work is Important
Dog’s noses contain about 100 million smell receptors, compared to only 5 to 6 million in humans. Canines are able to distinguish subtleties in aromas, according to the AKC: “You might smell chocolate chip cookies, but your dog can smell the chocolate chips, flour, eggs, and other ingredients.” The aspects of life we learn from visual aids are easily translated from a simple sniff! Strengthening your pup’s sniffer is essential to their canine development, as it engages their natural instincts to explore new environments.
Around the House
A fun way to incorporate nose work into your daily routine is hiding treats throughout the living room for them to uncover (or you’ll be finding them next time you vacuum!). If you want to contain the treats and keep them out of your carpet, check out these snuffle mats! They’re designed for sharpening your canine’s nose while rubbing their face in soft fabrics. Teaching your furry friend to engage their scavenger skills for treats is more physically and mentally rewarding than giving them one out of the bag.
Around the Neighborhood
Give your Lab the freedom to explore and investigate everything its nose leads them to when you take them on a stroll! Your pet learns about the environment around them and about other canines in the area. When you’re ready to move on to the next tree, say, “Leave it,” and keep walking. Your dog’s ability to sniff freely will help them develop their sense of smell and widen their range of surroundings.
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