Follow Your Nose: Enrichment Through Scent

🧠 Smell Is a Dog’s Superpower

To dogs, the world is made of scent. Their sense of smell is estimated to be up to 100,000 times more sensitive than ours. Where humans see a tree, a dog detects who walked by, how long ago, what they ate, and how they were feeling. Scent-based enrichment taps into this incredible natural ability, giving dogs an outlet to explore, interpret, and interact with the world in a way that feels deeply satisfying and instinctually right.

🌿 Why Nose Work Matters

Enrichment through scent:

  • Reduces anxiety and boredom

  • Builds mental and emotional resilience

  • Encourages natural exploration and play

  • Requires very little space or equipment

  • Is suitable for dogs of all ages, breeds, and abilities

Best of all? You don’t need to be a professional trainer to get started. Below are some of our favorite sniff-tastic activities you can do at home, in a shelter kennel, or out on a walk.

At our Animal Welfare College, we believe every dog deserves to experience life with joy, curiosity, and purpose. That’s why we created Follow Your Nose—a scent-based enrichment program designed to tap into one of your dog’s most powerful natural abilities: their nose!

Dogs perceive the world primarily through scent. It’s how they gather information, solve problems, reduce stress, and engage with their environment. Scent games and sniffing exercises don’t just entertain—they satisfy deep-rooted instincts, build confidence, and strengthen your bond with your dog.

Whether you’re a pet parent, foster caregiver, shelter volunteer, or dog training enthusiast, these easy and effective nose work games are a wonderful way to bring joy into a dog’s daily life.

🎯 Try These Nose Work Activities

1. Treat Trail

Perfect for: Walks or yards
How to play:

  • Drop small treats along a grassy path or garden trail behind your back as you walk.

  • Encourage your dog to “find it!” and let them sniff along the trail to discover the treats.

  • Keep your pace slow and let their nose lead the way.

💡 Tip: Use extra-smelly treats like liver, cheese, or freeze-dried meat for beginners.

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2. Box Buffet

Perfect for: Indoors, shelter kennels, rainy days
You’ll need: 5–10 cardboard boxes or containers
How to play:

  • Place boxes randomly on the floor.

  • Hide treats or favorite toys in a few of the boxes.

  • Encourage your dog to sniff out the hidden rewards.

💡 Want to increase the challenge? Nest smaller boxes inside bigger ones, or add distractions like crumpled paper.

3. Towel Twist

Perfect for: Indoor downtime
You’ll need: A towel and treats
How to play:

  • Lay a towel flat and sprinkle a few treats across it.

  • Roll the towel up and tie it in a loose knot.

  • Let your dog sniff, paw, and nudge to figure out how to get the treats out.

💡 Great for puppies or dogs who like a light challenge.

🐽 Enrichment Through the Nose

Scent enrichment isn’t just a fun game—it’s an essential need. Dogs were born to sniff. Whether it’s tracking prey, identifying other animals, or finding food, a dog’s brain is wired to solve problems using smell. When we give dogs scent-based challenges, we’re not just entertaining them—we’re activating their minds, reducing stress, and helping them feel more in control of their environment. It’s one of the simplest, most accessible ways to promote calm, confident behavior.

🧩 Low-Effort, High-Reward Enrichment

Scent work is one of the most versatile and low-barrier forms of enrichment. It doesn’t require expensive equipment or hours of training. From a handful of kibble scattered in the grass to a rolled-up towel hiding a treat, even the smallest sniffing activity can provide a big mental workout. These games can be adapted for dogs in any setting—from busy households to quiet shelters—and scaled up or down based on your dog’s interest and skill level.

4. Scatter Sniffari

Perfect for: Backyard, fields, or any open space
How to play:

  • Toss a handful of kibble or treats across a grassy area.

  • Let your dog sniff and forage naturally, without rushing.

💡 Encourage “sniff time” on walks by pausing and letting your dog explore smells without a strict pace or direction.

5. Hidden Treasure Hunt

Perfect for: Dogs with a strong nose and puzzle-loving personality
You’ll need: Small containers or scent-safe boxes
How to play:

  • Hide a favorite treat or toy in one container.

  • Line up 3–5 containers and let your dog sniff to find the right one.

  • Reward them with praise and play when they find the prize!

💡 Progressively increase difficulty by rotating hiding spots or adding empty boxes as decoys.

🧠 Build a Daily Scent Routine

Just 10–15 minutes of nose work a day can have a huge impact on your dog’s well-being. Consider rotating activities throughout the week to keep things interesting. Scent games are also a fantastic outlet for dogs with limited mobility, recovering from injury, or dealing with behavioral challenges.

🐶 For Trainers & Shelters

Our Follow Your Nose curriculum is also used in shelters and rescues to help reduce kennel stress and promote adoptability. Volunteers can implement scent games as part of a dog’s enrichment plan, giving them a better chance at finding and thriving in a forever home.

🌟 Sniff Out More

Looking to learn more about canine scent enrichment, including DIY toys, scent-detection basics, or formal nose work training? Join our upcoming Follow Your Nose Workshop Series or explore our online courses designed for dog lovers of all levels.

Let dogs do what they do best—follow their noses, one joyful sniff at a time.

🐕 Scent Games Build Confidence

For shy, anxious, or undersocialized dogs, scent enrichment can be life-changing. Unlike high-pressure obedience drills or noisy toys, scent games allow dogs to work at their own pace and succeed on their own terms. There’s no “wrong” way to sniff! Giving dogs the freedom to explore scent builds independence and self-assurance, especially in dogs who may struggle in other environments. It’s enrichment that heals as well as entertains.

🌿 Let Dogs Be Dogs

When we let dogs use their noses, we honor who they truly are. Nose work gives dogs permission to slow down, follow their instincts, and connect with their environment in a meaningful way. Instead of constantly telling them what not to do, scent enrichment invites them to make choices, take the lead, and simply be a dog. It’s not just about behavior—it’s about well-being, trust, and joy.