From the very first weeks of life, I noticed my granddaughter’s fascination with labels on blankets and toys. She’d intently gaze at them, reaching out with incredible precision to touch them.
Around nine months old, I introduced her to a sticker book – the ‘World’s Birds’ – and she was mesmerized. I would start the first peel and with pinpoint accuracy she’d peel off each sticker and carefully place it to the relevant page.
We moved on to jig puzzles with the little plastic piece on top to enable her to piece up with ease, and she tackled them with the same determination. Even today at under three years old, she loves sticker books and can now complete them independently.
Recognizing this innate talent and encouraging it has built her confidence tremendously. From a young age, she displayed exceptional dexterity, leading us to jokingly speculate about a future in surgery! By the time she was two, she was expertly threading tiny Christmas baubles onto the tree.
This principle applies to all areas of development – whether it’s football, art, music, or dance. Focusing on and nurturing a child’s strengths empowers them, allowing them to release their mental and physical energy while boosting their self-esteem.
This isn’t limited to children. As adults, we often discover hidden talents or rediscover passions that were overlooked earlier in life.
When we tap into our natural aptitudes, we not only achieve greater success but also forge stronger bonds with others who share our interests.
Just as we recognize a child’s strengths, we should also acknowledge our dogs’ incredible natural abilities. Dogs possess an extraordinary sense of smell combined with their cognitive aptitude, this superpower is beyond what we can imagine.
While dogs use their sight to navigate the human world, their incredible sense of smell often goes underutilized. Scentwork exercises provide a fantastic outlet for them to hone this natural ability. By teaching them to identify different scents and rewarding their successes, we not only enhance their skills but also strengthen our bond with them.
Dogs thrive when they can utilize their natural talents. They love to work, please us, and receive positive reward based reinforcement. Start nurturing your dog’s natural nose today! You’ll not only increase their dopamine levels (the feel-good hormone), it helps your dog to be calm and relaxed and also deepens your connection with them as you step into their world of scent.
Mandy Rigby
Scentwork Instructor / Canine Behaviourist
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