A dog’s sense of smell is almost 100,000 times stronger than yours and has a whole portion of the brain dedicated to it. Amazing, right? Just because your pets’ sense of smell is physically designed to be more assertive doesn’t mean they shouldn’t train it more. Their olfactory system is like a muscle, and they should work it out as much as possible. As their owner, it’s your responsibility to train them, so here are some great games to strengthen their nose work.
Doggy Hide and Seek
This is a canine twist on a classic game. You have to toss one of their treats into a room, then let them find it on their own. This will train your pup’s hunting skills and nose work. You could also try hiding various piles of treats in safe spots around the house. Either way, they get a tasty treat!
Cup Game
Believe it or not, this game isn’t reserved for the swindlers on the pier of Coney Island. All you need is 3 cups and a treat. Hide the treat under one cup, then move the cups around until you think they’re adequately mixed up. Let your dog pick the cup he thinks has the treat, and voila! Throw in an extra cup and see how it goes. You’ve got the perfect brain and nose teaser.
Left or Right
This is similar to the cup game, except you use your hands! Put a treat in one of your palms and let your dog see. Then, put your hands behind your back and switch them around before showing your dog your fists again. Let them pick the hand that holds the treat, and if they get it right, let them snack.
Of course, there are many others to choose from; you just have to figure out what’s best for your pet. As long as you flex their sense of smell regularly, you should be good to go.