Scent Training for Dogs: Pixie Thinks She’s the Next Detective Pikachu

The neighborhood park was buzzing with excitement last Saturday. One of our local dog trainers, Gina, had set up a new challenge in the community park—scent training for dogs.

Naturally, Pixie and Bruno were all in for some dog sniffing action.

Bruno, mostly because he assumed snacks were involved. Pixie, on the other hand, looked like she’d just been handed a detective badge. She was in it for the adventure. That's my girl!

“Dogs’ noses are built for sniffing,” Gina explained. “Scent work isn’t just fun; it’s mentally stimulating and a great way to build confidence.”

Pixie took off like a furry bloodhound, tail wagging so hard it was practically a propeller. Bruno…well, he waddled behind her, clearly hoping she’d do the heavy lifting.

What Is Scent Training for Dogs?

Scent training for dogs (also called "nose work") is a series of fun activities for dogs designed to harness your dog’s natural sniffing abilities. Whether you’re hiding treats, toys, or specific scents, dog sniffing is all about encouraging your dog to use their nose to solve a puzzle.

And here’s the fun part—dogs are actually wired for this. Little or no training required.

Benefits of Dog Scent Training

Wow. There are so many. Where do I start?

• Mental Stimulation. It’s like a crossword puzzle for dogs, minus the pencil.
• Confidence Building. Success with scent work builds self-esteem, especially for anxious or shy dogs.
• Physical Exercise. Dog sniffing and searching can be surprisingly tiring. It can help with weight management in sedentary pups and behavior management in energetic dogs. Working dogs like Pixie never say "no" to an adventure, and structured activities can really impact their overall temperament.
• Bonding. Working on scent games together strengthens your relationship. You can play on-leash or make it one big egg hunt free-for-all like Gina did on Saturday.
• Reduces Anxiety. Giving your dog a mental task to focus on can relieve stress.
• Improves Focus. Dogs learn to concentrate on a task until they achieve their goal—perfect for those who tend to be easily distracted.
• Works for All Ages. Puppies, adult dogs, and seniors can all benefit from sniffing games.

By the time the game was over, Pixie looked like a proud little detective wondering why we don't play this every day.

Bruno looked like he needed a nap.

Fun Activities for Dogs Noses

Gina walked us through some simple but effective scent training games we can play with our dogs at home. Pixie was all ears—but mostly nose.

First, some beginner-friendly scent games. The dog command you'll need is "Find it". The "stay" or "leave it" command is also helpful if your dog becomes overly excited to begin.

Then I'll share the more advanced ones.

1. Find the Treats

You can't get more basic than this.

You hide high-value treats like K9 Connoisseur beef lung bites around your yard or house and encourage your dog to sniff them out. Sometimes I crate Pixie with her "go to crate" command or hide them while she naps in another room.

2. Find It (Quick Version)

If you don't have time for hiding or your dog always spoils your stealth mode, you can always play an impromptu game in which you toss the treat to the ground and say, "Find it."

This method doesn't require as much detective work. But it's still mentally and physically engaging.

3. Scent Trails

Drag a treat along the ground to create a scent trail for your dog to follow. You might drop a small treat along the trail like bread crumbs.

At the end of the trail? More treats, of a meaty dog bone, of course.

4. Shell Game

Hide a treat under one of three cups and shuffle them around. Your dog has to sniff out which cup holds the prize. When they get it right (and they will), they get the treat.

5. Stay...Okay

As you progress, let your dog watch you hiding the treats. But they must stay on a spot until you release them with "Okay" command.

Gina says this version is perfect for building focus and impulse control.

5. Find the Favorite Toy

Hide your dog's favorite somewhere in the house or yard. Encourage them to sniff it out using a specific command like “Find it!”

This version helps you set the expectation that they might not always play for treats. Give them a treat as a reward for finding their toy sometimes.

This makes playing the game with you the reward.

6. Teach Them to Follow any Scent

If you imagine your dog as a K9 detective, then why not teach them next-level dog scent training by training them to follow any scent?

You could hide something that smells like mint, vanilla, lavender, or another distinct scent. Then have them smell the scent on a rag before telling them to find it.

Reward them with a treat when they find the scented object.

7. Find the Dog Bone

Hide a beef marrow-filled dog bone for a more substantial reward.

The Best Dog Treats for Scent Training

Here's the thing. The treats you use matter. High-value treats smell irresistible to a dog. This scent makes them more willing and excited to train. They can learn commands faster than you'd think possible.

With the best high-value dog treats, a dog can learn basic commands in less than 5 minutes. 30 seconds? Maybe. I'd love to see it!

But beyond the scent, high-value treats keep their promise. They taste as good as they smell.

Plus, they're nutritious. So, I can feel good about giving Pixie and Bruno several treats in one dog training session.

We use beef lung bites from K9 Connoisseur for scent training. They're single ingredient—just roasted organ meat. And they come from grass-fed beef herd. Grass fed beef is lower in saturated fat and higher in omega 3 and protein.

How to Get Started with Scent Training

• Choose Your Command & Stick with it. “Find it” or “Search” are often used for these games. Remember that more advanced scent games for dogs might require other commands like "Leave it", "Stay", "Okay." etc. So start working on those too!
• Start Simple. Hide treats in obvious spots at first and gradually increase difficulty.
• Reward Quickly. As soon as your dog finds the treat, praise them and offer a second treat. One of the things I love about beef lung dog treats is that one treat can cleanly break into 2 to 4 pieces. So, you can reward them more often, reinforcing the skill faster.
• Mix It Up. Change hiding spots, use more substantial treats like dog bones or trachea chews sometimes, and add in toys to keep things interesting.
• Practice Regularly. Like any training, consistency is key.
• Alternate Rewards. Reward with only praise, pets, clicks, or enthusiastic hand gestures. As long as you've previously given these rewards with a treat, your dog will know what they mean. An intermittent reward is more effective once a dog learns a skill.

Curious about the skills you can teach your dog? Check out the 7-Day Dog Training Challenge and see how much progress your dog can make with a little sniffing magic.
👉 Join here

Available On:

Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links—at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we trust and believe will benefit you and your K9.