Paws Journal · Training · 6–8 min read
When a dog seems full of energy, many owners add more kilometres. But a fitter dog can simply become better at doing more exercise. Scentwork offers a different kind of challenge: instead of asking the body to work harder, it asks the brain and nose to solve a problem.
What scentwork does
The dog searches for food, an object or a target odour and works out where the scent is coming from.
Why owners like it
It is low-impact, easy to adapt and suitable for energetic dogs, older dogs and dogs that need confidence-building.
What does the new research say?
A 2026 study compared dogs attending scentwork classes with dogs attending traditional training classes. Across the full sample, dogs showed improvements in measures linked with welfare. Traditional training improved obedience, while scentwork offered different benefits. The researchers concluded that positive reinforcement training appears beneficial and that different course types may help dogs in different ways.
That is an important distinction. Scentwork is not a magical replacement for recall, loose-lead walking or everyday manners. It is another tool — and a very natural one for dogs.
Why sniffing can be so satisfying
A dog’s nose is designed to collect information. During a search, the dog must slow down, sample the air and ground, ignore irrelevant scents and keep checking its own choices. That is mentally demanding even when the dog is barely moving.
This is why ten focused minutes of searching can feel more satisfying than simply adding another fast lap around the block.
Easy scent games you can try today
Scatter part of your dog’s meal in grass and let the dog search at its own pace.
Place a treat in one of several open cardboard boxes and let the dog work out where it is.
Hide a favourite toy in an easy location, then gradually make the hiding places harder.
Who benefits most?
Active breeds often love it, but scentwork is not only for working dogs. Shy dogs can gain confidence by solving tasks independently. Senior dogs can enjoy meaningful activity without hard physical impact. Dogs on restricted exercise can also benefit from carefully chosen search games.
Paws & Stays takeaway
Do not only ask, “How far did my dog walk today?” Ask, “What did my dog get to think about?” A good day needs both movement and meaningful mental work.
Source: Sobol S, Dowling-Guyer S. “Effects of scentwork and traditional training classes on dog welfare, behavior, and human-dog bond.” Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2026. Photo: Ellen Levy Finch / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.