Have you noticed your dog spending ages sniffing a patch of grass or following an invisible scent? This natural behavior is vital for their well-being and can be a daily enrichment activity!
At 1 Vie 2 Chiens, I guide you through fun and respectful scent activities, allowing your dog to experience rich, meaningful, pleasurable, and balanced experiences.
Sniffing is not just about “smelling”: it’s about existing
The sense of smell is the primary sense of dogs: it is up to 100,000 times more developed than ours. For them, sniffing means:
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understanding their environment,
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following trails,
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reading emotions,
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finding reassurance,
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and above all... having fun.
It is often said that dogs “see the world with their nose”: this is exactly it. When we prevent them from sniffing, we cut off a huge part of their means of communication and fulfillment.
Too many dogs are frustrated by a lack of scent activities
We often underestimate the impact of a lack of olfactory stimulation. This can lead to:
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boredom,
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agitation,
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behavioral issues,
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an increased sensitivity to the environment.
Conversely, allowing your dog to sniff means offering them calm, focus, confidence... and inner freedom.
How to integrate sniffing into daily life?
You don’t need to have a hunting dog or a competition nose to get started! Here are some simple (and powerful) ideas I suggest for activities:
1. Scent game walks
Fun walks where the dog expends mental and physical energy through various adapted scent games that we offer to stimulate them and build their self-confidence.
2. Hunting games
Search activity using primary reinforcers (food), developing olfactory skills through numerous search scenarios... Perfect for channeling energetic dogs or revealing anxious ones.
3. Truffle digging
A classic that I love to teach! Accessible to all dogs, it is a rich, useful, and rewarding activity for them.
4. Mantrailing
We teach the dog to find a missing person. A teamwork activity that involves scent, focus, and trust.
5. Nosework
We use target scents (essential oils) to find in playful situations. Very mentally enriching.
Give them the freedom to express themselves with their nose
A dog that can sniff is a dog that can refocus, calm down, release energy intelligently, and feel useful.It is also a wonderful way to strengthen your bond, without pressure or performance.
At 1 Vie 2 Chiens, I offer personalized sessions focused on scent, whether for leisure, behavioral rehabilitation, or simply to please your dog.
Do you want to discover the magic of scent?
I welcome you in an exceptional natural setting, in the heart of the Verdon Gorges, for activities tailored to all dogs, all ages, and all levels.
🌿 Scent game walks – Truffle digging – Hunting Games – Mantrailing – Nosework🐾 Respectful, fun, enriching, and meaningful activities.
📞 07 61 44 57 51
📍 Gorges du Verdon – Lac de Sainte-Croix
