The “Equipment”

Why is it important to let your dog sniff? The reasons are many and the value is high! But let’s start with the “equipment”; their noses.

The canine nose and a dog’s sense of smell is quite amazing. To start, they possess up to 300 million olfactory receptors in their noses. Sounds like a lot, right? Well to give you some perspective, humans only have about 6 million.

Whether you have a working breed, bully breed, sporting or toy breed, those receptors, combined with the fact that the part of a dog’s brain devoted to analyzing smells is about 40 times greater than ours, basically means their sense of smell is supercharged. Each nostril is also capable of working independently and sampling two scents at once.

Our canine companions also have something called neophilia, which means they are attracted to new and interesting odors. If you’re making beef stew, your dog doesn’t smell beef stew. They smell carrots, potatoes, onion, beef, pepper, flour, etc.; each individual ingredient. It’s been estimated that dogs can smell anywhere from a thousand to ten thousand times better than us!

Why is it important to let your dog sniff?

Now that you have a better idea of just how extraordinary and powerful your dogs’ nose is, let’s see why it’s so important to let them use it. Dogs use their noses to explore, evaluate and communicate. Sniffing is how they “see” the world. Smelling makes your dog happy. It even tires them out!

As their Savvy Dog Walker, many clients are surprised when I tell them it’s more beneficial for your dog to enjoy a 20 minute sniff and stroll, (allowing your dog’s nose to guide), than a 45 minute brisk walk with them right by your side not being able to stop and smell and “see” the world. Sniffing their way through the neighborhood for them, is like reading the newspaper for you. And yes, peeing multiple times is also how they ‘leave a message’ that they were there. It’s all dog communication.

A dog’s sense of smell is the strongest sense they possess. Allowing your dog to take the time to sniff is mental exercise for them. It’s calming. Sniffing actually lowers cortisol levels and therefore, reduces stress in your dog and can help with anxiety.

Supporting their freedom to sniff at their leisure, letting the dog lead the way, (on leash or long line), promotes overall wellbeing, provides an outlet for natural behavior and allows them to make choices. Having this opportunity will increase their overall happiness and satisfaction, whilst reducing, anxiety and physical and psychological energy.

Try something new

Try taking your dog to new areas or places provides extra enrichment. New stimuli to explore and lots of new scents is an exciting experience for them. Even if you just take a new route in your neighborhood, going down different streets, your dog will love it! Don’t be surprised if your dog doesn’t listen as well in these new environments. I see it with my own dog.

These new areas can be so stimulating for our dogs and it’s exciting for them. Allow them time to acclimate before requesting behaviors from them. Being free to let their amazing noses lead them and following the scents is incredibly intriguing and satisfying for our beloved canine counterparts. Providing variety and novelty are important components of an enriching environment.

Keep in mind

It’s important to understand your individual dog’s comfort zone. Some may find certain new environments overwhelming or stressful. Take note of their body language and be able to decipher excitement from stress. If they’re pulling you in a frenzy, take a moment and assess the situation. Are they excited or overstimulated?

You want to set them up for success, enjoyment and enrichment. Learn to identify what type of environments your dogs enjoys best. Maybe busy local hiking trails such as Pyramid Mountain in Boonton, or the Tourne Park in Denville, NJ, are too much for your dog on a weekend. Consider trying it during the week at a less busy time to see how they do when there is less people, dogs, and added activity, on top of the already exciting amount of scents and stimuli of a new environment.

Go out and have some fun

No matter where your adventures take you and your dog(s), give them freedom to sniff! Now that you’ve learned all about your dog’s sense of smell and their amazing noses, you both can enjoy that dog nose in action!

** Personal Plea: If your dog does not have a solid, 100% recall, PLEASE keep them leashed in public, on trails and in parks! Leash laws exist for a reason. Thank you!

• About
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Leanne Kimble

Owner at Canine Companion Pet Service

Animal lover. Nature lover. Bully breed lover and Pit Bull advocate. Environmentalist. Perfectionist. Entrepreneur. American Bully Mom. Bereaved APBT and cat Mom. Former Foster Mom. Rescue volunteer. Micro business owner. New Jersey born and raised. Virgo. Youngest of 3. Aunt to 5. Live alone and prefer it that way. Social introvert. Homebody. Prefer animals to people. Cheese lover. Tattoo lover. Hobby photographer. Savvy Dog Walker.
Just trying to do my best during my time here.

Latest posts by Leanne Kimble (see all)

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• A Dog’s Sense of Smell & Their Amazing Noses - May 9, 2021