Why Your Dog's Nose Is Their Greatest Distraction (and How to Work With It)
Updated: 3 days ago
If you've ever called your dog and been completely ignored because they're busy snuffling a patch of grass, you know how strong that nose can be. A dog's nose is their superpower, and it's also one of the biggest training challenges owners face. I'd never try to fight it. I'd rather understand why sniffing matters so much and use it to my advantage, so here's why your dog's nose is their greatest distraction and how to work with it in training.
THE SHORT ANSWER
Smell is a dog's strongest sense. Dogs have far more scent receptors than we do and a much larger part of their brain set aside for processing smell, so every patch of grass is full of information. That's why sniffing can feel more important to them than your voice. Instead of fighting the nose, work with it. Build your recall and focus at home first, then in quieter places. Use "go sniff" as a reward for coming back or walking nicely, so sniffing becomes something your dog earns from you. Give plenty of sniff time on walks, add scent games at home, and use higher value rewards in smelly places. A dog who gets enough sniffing is usually much easier to train.
The science behind your dog's nose
A dog's sense of smell is far more powerful than ours. Estimates vary, but dogs have hundreds of millions of scent receptors compared with around six million in humans. A much bigger share of their brain is used to process smell.
That means a single sniff tells your dog who walked past, whether they were a dog or a person, roughly when they were there and even how they were feeling. For a dog, sniffing the ground is like reading the day's news.
Why sniffing beats you sometimes
It's not that your dog doesn't care about you. In that moment, the smell is new, exciting and full of information. Your voice is familiar and predictable.
Sniffing also feels good. It's calming and satisfying, so it rewards itself. If coming back to you means the fun ends, the nose will often win.
Why sniffing is good for your dog
Sniffing isn't just a distraction. It lowers stress, tires the brain and helps dogs make sense of the world. Dogs who don't get enough sniffing time often seem more restless and harder to settle.
That's why the aim isn't to stop sniffing. It's to make sniffing part of the training plan. Read 5 scent games for dogs.
How to work with your dog's nose
Use sniffing as a reward
Call your dog, reward them, then say "go sniff" and let them go back. Your dog learns that coming to you doesn't end the fun. This is the Premack principle in action. Read the Premack principle.
Build skills in easy places first
Practise recall and focus at home, then in the garden, then in quiet places. Only add smelly, busy places once your dog is reliable in easier ones.
Bring better rewards
In smelly places, a dry biscuit can't compete. Use high-value food or a favourite toy, and reward generously.
Give sniff time on purpose
Start walks with a few minutes of free sniffing before you ask for anything. A dog who's had a good sniff is often better able to focus.
Use a long line
A long line keeps your dog safe while they explore and lets you practise recall without them getting away. Read high-value rewards for recall training.
Hounds and scent-driven breeds
Some breeds, like beagles, bloodhounds, basset hounds and many spaniels, were bred to follow their nose. They can learn great recall and focus, but expect to work a little harder and to use sniffing as a big part of their rewards.
RENEE'S TIP
On your next walk, every time your dog checks in with you, say "go sniff" and point to a good spot. Within a few walks, many dogs start checking in more often, because looking at you is how they earn the next sniff.
QUICK CHECK
ā Smell is a dog's strongest and most rewarding sense
ā Sniffing calms dogs and tires their brain
ā Use "go sniff" as a reward for coming back
ā Build skills in easy places before smelly, busy ones
ā Give planned sniff time and bring better rewards
ONE-TO-ONE HELP
Help with recall and focus
If your dog's nose takes over on walks and recall falls apart, I can help you build a plan that works with sniffing in an online Dog Behaviour Consultation from wherever you are.
Online on Teams, wherever you are. 30 or 60 minutes.
FAQs
Why does my dog ignore me when sniffing?
Smell is their strongest sense, and new scents are exciting and rewarding. In that moment, the smell can feel more important than your voice.
Should I let my dog sniff on walks?
Yes. Sniffing lowers stress and tires the brain. Plan sniff time and use it as a reward.
How do I get my dog's attention when they're sniffing?
Build recall in easy places first, use high-value rewards and let your dog go back to sniffing after they come to you.
Why is my hound so hard to recall?
Hounds were bred to follow scent. They can learn good recall, but sniffing needs to be part of the reward.
How good is a dog's sense of smell?
Far better than ours. Dogs have many more scent receptors and a much bigger part of their brain for smell.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Renee Patience Ā· National Dog Trainer of the Year 2025
Founder and head trainer of Paws Academy, with more than 30 years training dogs and a Level 6 Diploma in Applied Canine Behaviour. Renee has competed in agility, obedience and heelwork to music across the UK, including at Crufts and Olympia, has appeared on CBBC, and is the author of the Modern Training Guides and the Modern Breed Handbook series. Pictured with her boxer, Kookie.
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