What is Nosework?
Nosework is one of the many human-dog activities you can enjoy with your furry friend, either just for fun or by taking it to the next level with official exams. Unlike most dog sports, Nosework isn’t about obedience; it’s all about your dog's natural gift—its sense of smell.
A little about a dog’s sense of smell
A dog's sense of smell is one of its most developed senses. In fact, some dogs have such an accurate nose that they can detect the scent of a substance diluted to a concentration of one in a million. Dogs also have something called the vomeronasal organ (also known as Jacobson’s organ), which helps them evaluate scent samples that come from the mouth (like when they lick a spot where a female dog has been). Thanks to this powerful sense of smell, dogs can track scents that are days old. No wonder dogs are such valuable partners for the police and military, helping to find missing people or uncover hidden drugs.
Did you know this about a dog’s nose?
- Dogs cool down through their noses, so the temperature of a dog’s nose can be a good health indicator. A warm, dry, or cracked nose could be a sign that something’s off.
- To evaluate a scent, dogs first need to dissolve it, which is why their noses are always wet.
- Dogs can inhale and exhale at the same time, which improves air circulation and helps them detect scents better.
- Short-nosed breeds (like pugs and bulldogs) don’t have as strong a sense of smell as dogs with longer noses.
- Male dogs generally have a better sense of smell than females.
So, what’s Nosework all about?
Nosework literally means “work with the nose,” and that’s exactly what it involves. Dogs search for specific scents in different environments. It’s a relatively modern canine sport that’s based on teamwork between the dog and its handler. Think of it like a police dog searching for explosives—but totally legal and open to everyone!
Unlike most dog sports, you don’t compete against other teams in Nosework. It’s not about beauty, speed, or points. It’s simply about whether your dog finds the scent or not.
What are dogs searching for in Nosework?
In competitions, the standard scent samples are usually cinnamon sticks and orange peels (both dried and fresh). These materials are chosen because they’re common, inexpensive, and easy to store and handle. On the other hand it is not common scent that you find in the wilderness so you just dont bump into it at your daily walks.
Nosework is for everyone
Nosework is a sport you can do with any dog, at any age. You don’t have to worry about whether your puppy’s joints are fully developed or if it’s too strenuous for your senior dog. It doesn’t matter if you’re an experienced handler or a complete newbie, whether you track, do agility, or have never trained your dog before. You can practice Nosework at home, in your yard, or on walks. You don’t need any special setup or equipment to get started. All you need are some scent samples and a good mood.
Why should you try Nosework training?
- It’s based on your dog’s natural abilities.
- It’s fun for both you and your dog.
- It can help improve your dog’s concentration.
- It provides mental stimulation and can pleasantly tire your dog out.
- It teaches your dog to work independently, which can boost confidence in shy dogs.
- You don’t need any special equipment.
- It’s even suitable for dogs recovering from an injury.
How are Nosework exams conducted?
The specifics of Nosework trials can vary depending on the country, but the difficulty usually depends on the environment where the dog is searching for the scent sample. Here are some common categories:
- Nature: Natural environments like forests, meadows, or fields.
- Urban: Human-made environments like furnished rooms, barns, warehouses, old factories, parking lots, and even cars, ruins, or town squares.
- Water: Searching in water.
- Discrimination: Differentiating between a row of objects or people.
How to start with Nosework at home?
Let’s be honest, the best way to get started is by attending a workshop and learning the basics in practice with an experienced trainer. But if you can’t find one nearby, here are a few tips to get you going:
- Don’t touch the scent samples with your hands—always use tweezers.
- Don’t contaminate the sample with any other strong smell, especially human scent.
- Don’t give a command when your dog isn’t sniffing. In the beginning, your dog may not sniff right away.
- Aim for a 3–5 second duration of sniffing before progressing.
- Always work with three or more objects. If you only have two, your dog might just guess.
- If your dog searches with its eyes, cover the other jars to hide them.
- Be careful about residual scents on the samples.
What do I need for Nosework?
As mentioned, you don’t need any special equipment, but having some can make things easier. You can find everything you need in our online shop, including cinnamon and dried orange peel samples. We’ve also created a special stand for your skilled sniffer, so they can have all the samples neatly in front of them. You can use either jars or our specially designed Nosework cups, which have a unique lid that prevents contact with the sample.
