These are the times that try dogs’ souls, and humans’ patience. Our backyard is covered in ice, and there’s snow / sleet / rain in the forecast for tomorrow with a bitter blast of cold air on tap for Saturday. Thus our outdoor playtime is limited. However, it is important to keep dogs entertained both mentally and physically, so we don’t come down with a case of cabin fever. It’s times like these that we turn to our favorite indoor game of Nose Work! Today we are resharing a post from 2018 on how to play, in case you too are looking for something to do this weekend.
Cabin Fever Nose Game (January 2018)
Nose work is a sport based on what professional detection dogs do to find a hidden odor through scent recognition. After the dog finds the odor they are rewarded for a job well done. Nose Work is mentally stimulating, burns energy, but won’t make the humans worry that we’ll bring the house crashing down around us. Here’s how I trained Asa if you want to play along at home too:
What You’ll Need: Because I received my National Association of Canine Scent Work certification, I was trained to recognize Birch, Anise and Clove essential oils. These are available at most health food stores or wherever essential oils are sold. However, please be aware that NOT all essential oils are safe for dogs, and NEVER allow your inquisitive pup to come in direct contact with it on fur, licking, and especially don’t let them eat it!
An alternative to essential oils are smelly treats, but you will want to remain wary because the goal of this game is to entertain your dog and not add on a few pounds!
You’ll also need a Q-tip cotton swap or cotton ball (if using essential oils); and small tin or plastic container with holes for ventilation, or something similar that’s small for hiding and can hold the scent. We use a clean Altoids mints container that Dad drilled holes in the top. In addition you’ll need 3 or more cardboard boxes; your imagination; and treats or a favorite toy for rewards. We alternate between treats and favorite squeaky toys as a reward for finding it.
Step 1: With Dad’s help, I dabbed a little Birch essential oil on a Q-tip, and placed it in the tin container. While Dad was preparing for our game, I let Asa take a sniff to get him curious. Dad also took this opportunity to teach Asa a new word as a command to find it. In memory of our Dutch cousin, Bear, Dad uses the word (phonetically pronounced) “vind het,” which I believe means “find it.” Most Nose Work dogs use a German command, some use plain old “find it,” whatever command you’d like is fine. It’s just so the pup knows we’re playing the game, and will go search for the scent. Anyways, I let Asa take take a few sniffs of the tin, while Dad used that command so Asa learned to make the connection between the two.
Step 2: Next, while I distracted Asa, which isn’t very difficult to do, Dad put the tin with the scent inside one of the cardboard boxes. He then put the cardboard box in the center of the room with the open top facing up. When Asa entered the room, Dad said our search command of “vind het.” As soon Asa started sniffing the box with the scent, Dad praised him using the phrase “good vind het,” and gave him treats or a toy as a reward. This got Asa’s attention and motivated him to associate that scent with rewards and praise.
Asa is a quick learner, so it only took us 4 or 5 times before he caught on to our game. Each time we’d rearrange the order of the boxes so I knew he wasn’t just going to the box with the scent tin by chance. We kept these sessions short, and did this game a couple times a day for a day so he could learn the smell. Slowly we started waiting to reward him only when his nose actually touched the box, and not just in the general vicinity. Eventually we waited a moment or two longer before instantly rewarding Asa. This helped to teach Asa that he had to keep his focus on the container to get his reward. Ok, truth be told, Asa was getting bored with our easy cardboard boxes. So we quickly moved on to the next step.
Step 3: Once I was confident Asa was responding to the scent, we made it more challenging. We took the tin container with the scent out of the cardboard box and hid it in a very obvious location. And I do mean obvious. The first time Dad put the tin on the floor next to a chair leg, and Asa took forever to find it! Once Asa found it, he got a reward and of course more praise.
We played this way for a couple more days until he understood the rules of the game we were playing: wait for the command, search for smelly tin, stay focused on tin to signal he found the scent, and wait for treat before doing his happy dance. Personally, I just lay down after I find it, but Asa insists on doing a happy dance. Also, we only did this for about 10 to 15 minute sessions. Too long or too easy, and the game would get boring before we’ve even begun! Remember, the point of this game was to keep Asa entertained on a snowy day, not to make him a Nose Work expert like myself!
Step 4: Within a couple days of starting this game, Asa was ready for more challenging locations. By challenging I mean out of sight, and not smack dab in the middle of a room. I joined in on the fun then too, with Asa and I taking turns while Mom or Dad hid the scents. To avoid cheating, they would put us in our crates or contain us in the kitchen so we couldn’t peek, and then go to another area of the house to hide the tin container with the scent.
It’s funny how totally different our approaches are to finding the scent. I will run with reckless abandon through the house with my nose on the ground searching. Asa takes a more methodical approach where he slowly walks with his nose up in the air. He’ll even retrace his steps and revisit old hiding spots before sniffing out new places. Either way, we both eventually find the scent! Making this a fun and mentally stimulating way to spend a winter day indoors. And best yet, once the better weather returns, you can make the game even more challenging by playing it outside! We hope it helps you to pass the time too!
2024 Update: We first started playing this game when Asa was a puppy. He was interested, but would often need a little guidance. Now though with diminished vision, his sense of smell is heightened, and Asa has become a pro at this game! No matter how difficult the hiding place, Asa will find it in just a few minutes, and do a joyful victory dance. As for me, I’m still a champion. I just let Asa win…honest!
