Canine olfaction is a rapidly growing area of scientific research, with new discoveries and applications popping up all the time. A dog’s brain is built around the information it receives from scent, which is closely tied to emotions.
A dog’s sense of smell is incredibly powerful and plays a crucial role in their health and overall well-being. It’s an important tool that helps dogs explore, understand and interact with the world around them.
A dog’s nose pad produces an oily fluid to help scent molecules stick to it more easily which allows them to pick up and process a wide variety of smells. When they sniff, the air they actually breathe in and out goes through different pathways, with 88% going to be used for respiratory function, and 12% being used for olfactory processing.
Dogs have a 3-dimensional sense of smell, allowing them to map out their surroundings and track movements in ways that humans can’t. This includes not just where something is or has been, but also how recently it was. Even more impressive is that dogs can sniff with one nostril at a time, which helps them determine the direction a scent is coming from. They can also inhale through one part of their nose to gather scents and exhale through another to avoid disturbing the smell they’re analysing and they even have a built in ‘temperature control system’, heating or cooling the air as necessary to ensure that the smells are processed at the right temperature for maximum accuracy!
The more you can engage your dog's brain with new challenges and behaviours, the more relaxed and content they’ll be. Mental and physical stimulation are key to helping your dog manage stress and maintain balance, especially if their endorphin levels are on the low side.
With this super tool at their disposal, there's no wonder that smell is their primary sense! So as a result, it should hopefully come as no surprise that sniffing also provides a variety of mental and physical benefits such as:
Activates the seeking system: Sniffing stimulates a dog’s brain by activating the seeking system, which is essential for their overall health and mental well-being. It keeps their mind engaged and sharp.
Encourages exploration and learning: Every time your dog sniffs, they gather new information about their environment. This exploration helps satisfy their curiosity and encourages them to stay active and alert.
Releases dopamine: Sniffing also triggers the release of dopamine, a chemical in the brain associated with feelings of pleasure and reward. This means sniffing makes dogs feel good and satisfied.
Provides mental and physical exercise: Sniffing offers a dual benefit—it's mentally stimulating because it requires focus and concentration, and it’s physically beneficial because the act of sniffing itself requires effort.
Strengthens the bond between you and your dog: Allowing your dog to lead and explore during walks and activities strengthens the connection between you and your pet. It builds trust and lets them know that they are free to engage with their surroundings.
Promotes independent thinking and problem solving: Sniffing activities encourage dogs to think on their own and develop problem-solving skills, whether they’re following a scent or figuring out a scent-based puzzle.
For dogs, the sense of smell is not just a way to explore—it’s essential to their quality of life. When dogs lose their ability to smell, it can lead to depression, as they lose one of their primary ways of interacting with the world.
Regular sniffing activities, such as Mantrailing, are crucial to keeping dogs mentally stimulated, happy, and healthy.
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