AKC Scent Work is a sport that mimics the task of working detection dogs to locate a scent and communicate to the handler that the scent has been found. Scent Work is a positive, challenging activity that allows dogs the opportunity to use their strongest natural sense in a way that is fun, engaging, and that builds and strengthens a foundation of trust between the handler and dog.

      Dogs experience the world differently than humans do. With a sense of smell that is between 10,000 and 100,000 times as acute as ours, they get the majority of their information about their environment from smell, rather than sight as we humans do. But in our busy human world, we don’t often let dogs truly savor the experience. We take the dog outside to do their business, and we are anxious to get back in to finish our work, cook dinner, or just go to sleep. When our dogs put their noses to the ground, we hurry them along.

      The sport of Scent Work celebrates the joy of sniffing, and asks dogs to sniff to their heart’s content; turning the dog’s favorite activity into a rewarding game. It is a terrific sport for all kinds of dogs, and is a wonderful way to build confidence in a shy dog.

      In so many dog sports the handler is in control. The handler knows what has to be done, issues commands to the dog, and ensures that they are carried out. This isn’t true in Scent Work. Neither the dog nor handler know where the target odor is hidden, and the handler has no way to know. The handler has to rely on the dog, and follow the dog’s nose to success. In Scent Work, it is the canine who is the star of the show.