02/07/2026
Scent Work - Benefit, “Increased Problem Solving Abilities”. What does this mean and how does it help you with your dog ? 🐕
I repeatedly observe the positive impact of people being involved in scent detection, how a dogs behaviour develops and how relationships enhance 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 this actually supports the owner with their dog in day to day life, starting with the benefit of ‘improving a dog’s problem-solving skills’ How does this actually help?
(Bar getting super clever in working out how to open the treat cupboard 😉)
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
👍 Effort leads to success
👍 Obstacles are not threats, they may provide information
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 react 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 tching your 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, link on the top comment 👇
Mandy Rigby
Instructor and Founder
Canine Scentwork Academy
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