Why Your Dog’s Nose Knows Best: The Power of Sniffing in Gundog Training

Discover why letting your gundog sniff can improve calmness, focus, and training success, using their natural superpower to your advantage.

Why Your Dog’s Nose Knows Best: The Power of Sniffing in Gundog Training

Have you ever found yourself frustrated when your dog’s nose drops to the ground mid-walk, seemingly ignoring your calls or cues? It might feel like your dog is ignoring you, but in reality, your dog’s nose is doing exactly what it was designed to do.

Let’s take a look at why allowing your gundog time to sniff is not only enriching but can also support their training and well-being.

A Nose Built for Work

Your gundog’s nose is an incredible tool, capable of detecting scents at concentrations nearly 100,000 times lower than humans can. For working breeds like spaniels, Labradors, and retrievers, using their nose is not just a hobby – it’s part of who they are.

When we suppress this need, dogs can become frustrated or find other ways to meet their needs, like pulling on the lead or becoming distracted.

Sniffing Reduces Stress

Research has shown that sniffing helps lower a dog’s heart rate and reduce stress. Think of it like us having a mindful walk in nature or taking a few deep breaths when we feel overwhelmed. Allowing your dog to sniff can help them relax before, during, or after a training session, helping you build calmness into your training routine.

Using Sniffing to Your Advantage in Training

You can build sniffing into your gundog training in a purposeful way:

Scatter feeding: Toss a few treats into the grass during breaks to encourage sniffing while maintaining focus on you.
Scent-based games: Hide a dummy or a favourite toy and let your dog use their nose to find it.
‘Go Sniff’ as a cue: This can be a valuable decompression tool between retrieves or while walking to heel, teaching your dog when they can and can’t switch into sniff mode.

Sniffing Builds Better Gundogs

A dog that learns to use their nose effectively will often be a better hunting companion, searcher, and retriever. It builds independence while still working within the partnership you are developing.

It also helps dogs work more methodically, reducing frantic energy that can sometimes lead to overshooting a retrieve or missing game in cover.

Next Time Your Dog Sniffs…

Pause for a moment and consider what they’re experiencing. A world of information comes through their nose, helping them understand where wildlife has passed, where other dogs have been, and what’s happening in the environment.

By respecting and incorporating sniffing into your gundog’s training, you’re not only enriching their world but building a better working relationship between you and your dog.

🐾 Happy training (and happy sniffing!),