Your dog's nose

Why using their sense of smell is good for dogs

The olfactory system of the dog is extremely sensitive compared to that of humans. Smells play a much more important role to the dog.  Dogs literally “see the world” through their sense of smell. Their olfactory bulb is 3 times larger than ours.

We know that dogs have around 250 million scent receptors in the nose. Humans have only five million. A large proportion of a dog’s brain is devoted to scent and the nose is the fastest route information can get to the brain. The olfactory nerves are responsible for smell and carry impulses from the olfactory organ of the nose to the brain.

The sensation of scent is the result of neuronal processing: from the sensory neurons, information is transferred to the olfactory bulb situated on the other side of the brain, and to the limbic system, which influences the emotional state of the organism.

This shows us how vital it is for a dog’s brain, for them to use their noses. Nose work, foraging, slow sniffy walks all make for a healthy brain.

• Boosts confidence in dogs
• Sniffing releases pleasurable endorphins that calm the dog’s brain
• Nose work games can strengthen the bond between you.
• Allowing dogs to sniff gives them choices – what to sniff and when to sniff
• Scent work allows them to problem solve, focus and tune out distractions 

This is a fantastic video that explains how dogs see their world. How dogs smell