Sniffing Games For Fearful Dogs

Oct 23, 2024

Did you know that scent-based (sniffing) games can be great for building your fearful dog's confidence? I recommend trying out Nose Work, Scent Work, or less formalized sniffing games for your dog because of these important benefits:

  • Reinforce movement and exploration. Dogs who are shut down or very anxious often don't move much.  They are trying to keep themselves safe by freezing or hiding.  Scent-based games, if done correctly for very fearful dogs, encourage and reinforce exploration, making it a fun activity rather than a scary task. 
  • Build sniffing behaviors that will help your dog enjoy outings more.  While "normal" dogs love walks because of all of the interesting smells, most of my clients' dogs start out being afraid to go out on walks. By reinforcing sniffing behavior, sniffing games can help facilitate enjoyment of walks for these very fearful dogs. In the video below you'll see examples of my dog Pancake learning that the world is full of interesting smells.
  • Teach your fearful dog that they can use their behavior to get good things. Traumatized, shut-down dogs use a lot of their behavioral time and energy trying to escape or avoid things that scare them. Sniffing games are a simple way to start teaching you dog that they can use their behavior to get good things too. 

  

Want to teach your dog sniffing games from the comfort of your home? Sign up for my online Beginning Sniffing Games for Fearful Dogs course. If the course is full, you'll have the option of getting on the wait list.