Working the Nose Series / Benefit – ‘Increased Problem Solving Abilities’
I repeatedly observe the positive impact of people being involved in scent detection, how a dog’s behaviour develops and how relationships are enhanced between the dog and their human. As I raise the awareness of scent work I consistently highlight key benefits.
But I have been considering how these statements resonate with dog owners that are researching activities to do with their dog.
I thought it would be useful to core down on how they actually support the owner with their dog in day to day life.
Starting with a key benefit of ‘improving a dog’s problem-solving skills’. It’s a big statement! What does this actually mean? How does this actually help a person with their dog?
(Bar getting super clever in working out how to open the treat cupboard )
Let me delve deeper and explain more about this benefit.
Scent work engages the dog’s olfactory system alongside the brain, activating core cognitive processes involved in learning and decision-making. ln scent detection, the dog is repeatedly invited to:
- Assess a situation
- Gather information
- Make a decision
- Adjust that decision if it doesn’t work
- And crucially, without human micromanagement.
Over time, scent detection teaches dogs that they can work things out, some uncertainty can be safe and effort leads to success. Obstacles are not always threats, they may provide odour information to the dog, leading to them gaining a reward.
When a dog navigates under, over, around, through confined spaces or complex environments to reach odour, they are learning far more than “find that smell”. They are learning, body awareness, spatial confidence, emotional regulation under mild stress and persistence without frustration. This is independent thinking with emotional balance.
Now, how does that transfer to everyday life with your dog?
A dog that has learned to problem solve in scent work often shows,
- Less panic when faced with something new
- More thoughtful responses instead of impulsive reactions
- Increased confidence in unfamiliar environments
- Improved resilience when plans change
Instead of reacting or shutting down, we start to see more pauses and assessing and making better choices. That is a big deal in day to day life.
Problem solving in scent detection creates a dog that understands how to move through and engage with the environment better.
They learn that they don’t need their human to fix, they can assess, choose another coping mechanism whilst working through the situation.
That’s why many handlers notice improvements in,
- Confidence outdoors
- Recovery after startling events
- Frustration tolerance
- Overall wellbeing
…And for the human, watching their dog start to think, try, fail safely and succeed is incredibly rewarding and builds trust in them and in your partnership.
You stop feeling responsible for solving everything for your dog, and start believing in what they can solve with you nearby.
That’s empowering on both ends of the lead.
Scent detection doesn’t just make dogs better at finding odour, it helps them become,
- More confident navigators of their world
- Calmer decision makers
- Emotionally resilient learners
And that’s a benefit that shows up every single day, long after the search is over.
Interested in starting some simply structured scent work games , check out my ‘Nose Magic’ games course here, and start your dog’s nose sniffing and brain ticking today.
Mandy Rigby
Instructor and Founder
Canine Scentwork Academy