#111 - Scent Work for Dogs: Enrichment That Supports the Whole Household

Simple, flexible scent games that help your dog thrive—and give you a well-earned breather. If you’ve ever needed your dog to do something enriching without needing your full attention, or wanted to build your relationship through fun, sniffy games, this episode is your new best friend. In this week’s episode of Enrichment for the Real World , Allie Bender and Emily Strong unpack the magic of scent work—and how it supports your dog’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being and makes your life easier too. We’re talking about games like “find it,” scatter feeding, and what we call the “anywhere but here” protocol, with tips for tailoring them to your specific household setup (no matter how chaotic it may be). You’ll hear why scent work is more than just a fun activity—it can be used to teach your dog independence, encourage relaxation, and even build trust in tricky situations. Whether you need something that works behind a baby gate, away from food-stealing pets, or hands-free while you hop on a Zoom call, there’s something here for you. TLDL (Too Long, Didn’t Listen): 3 Key Takeaways Scent work is ridiculously adaptable. Whether you need to keep dogs separated, avoid food on the floor, or work behind a barrier, there’s a nose game for that. Teaching “set it and forget it” is a game-changer. It takes effort up-front, but the payoff? A dog who can self-entertain while still engaging in healthy enrichment. Gold. “Find it” is the duct tape of dog training. This go-to cue can give you a pause button, channel your dog’s energy, and lay the foundation for more complex games. Links & Resources from the Episode 📖 Canine Olfaction: Scent, Sign, and Situation – Book chapter by Simon Gadbois & Catherine Reeves 📚 Being a Dog: Following the Dog Into a World of Smell by Alexandra Horowitz 🔬 Study: Let me sniff! Nosework induces positive judgment bias in pet dogs 📓 Episode #109: Assessing Risk for the Safety Enrichment Category 🎲 July 2023 Enrichment Challenge: Try a New Active Foraging Option 💻 Check out the full show notes, including more resources at petharmonytraining.com/episode111 More from Pet Harmony We’ve got a lot more to share—join the conversation! Follow us on social media: Instagram: @petharmonytraining Facebook: @petharmonytraining Instagram (Pro): @petharmonypro TikTok (Pro): @petharmonypro Sign up for our weekly newsletter: 👉 https://petharmonytraining.com/join Subscribe & Review If this episode resonated with you, we’d love for you to subscribe and leave a review . Your feedback helps us connect with more pet parents and professionals looking to build joyful, enriched lives with their animals.