Follow the Nose: Why Scentwork Belongs in Your Gundog Toolkit

Follow the Nose: Why Scentwork Belongs in Your Gundog Toolkit

When most people picture a gundog in action, they imagine a slick, laser-focused dog frozen like a statue, eyes on the sky, just waiting to blast off after a falling bird.  And yes, that visual drive is great. But it’s only half the story.

Because while the eyes might lock onto the prize, the nose has already downloaded the scent map, done the research, and filed a full environmental report.

Scent is the dog's first language. It's their primary interface with the world. And when we train dogs with too much focus on sight, we’re effectively telling them, “Ignore your best asset.”  Time to flip the script.

Sniff first, ask questions later

Before your dog sees the dummy, they’ve often already clocked it by smell. McKay (2014) showed that dogs trained in scent-matching could reliably pick a target scent out of a lineup, even when the samples were from different species and stored in jars.

No visual cues, no trickery. Just scent. Glorious scent. This wasn’t a fancy lab test with robot dogs. These were regular dogs like the ones lying upside-down on your sofa being taught how to use their nose with intention.

Structured sniffing = Smarter dog

Scentwork isn’t just “let the dog sniff and hope for the best.” It’s deliberate, controlled, and layered. You’re not encouraging chaos, you’re teaching clarity. Done right, scentwork helps dogs learn:

  • How to focus under pressure
  • How to slow down and problem-solve
  • How to ignore distractions and use their nose, not just their eyes

Mellor et al. (2024) found that dogs trained in scent-based problem-solving showed better impulse control, emotional regulation, and stick-to-it-iveness. It’s mental enrichment, field-ready. Think Sudoku, but with smells. And treats.

Managing arousal and building the off switch

Now here’s the bit that really matters, especially if your gundog also lives in your house (read: on your couch, stealing your socks, licking your guests).

Scentwork builds the all-important OFF switch.
Unlike high-speed retrieves or bouncing dummy drills that spike arousal (hello, spinning spaniels), scent work rewards stillness, patience, and persistence.

Dogs who get over-aroused often look like this:

  • “Pingy” searches - darting around with zero plan
  • No listening - scent? What scent? Too busy zooming
  • Meltdown post-training - hard to settle, hard to rest

Here’s the good news: Scentwork brings their arousal down through focused engagement.

As [McKay (2014)] found, dogs succeeded at scent tasks through calm, controlled behaviour - not frantic energy. Even young or excitable dogs learned to approach the work with focus, and this generalised outside the training sessions. Many owners report their dogs are more settled at home, more focused on walks, and less prone to going full velociraptor when the postman appears.

So, if you want a dog that works like a pro and naps like a champion, scent work is your golden ticket.

“But won’t it confuse them?”

Short answer: No.
Long answer: Dogs are clever. Like, really clever. They know the difference between finding a marked retrieve and sniffing out a hidden scent.

[Rescorla (1988)] showed that animals don’t just learn cause-and-effect: they learn meaningful relationships. Dogs understand context. They don’t get confused, they get better at switching gears, which makes them more adaptable, not less.

Scent work doesn’t dilute your gundog training. It sharpens it.

So, what’s the big deal?

Adding scentwork to your gundog routine gives you:

  • A sharper nose – Less reliance on sight, more confident scenting
  • Teamwork wins – You’ll learn to read tiny signals in your dog’s behaviour
  • Mental stamina – Keeps dogs switched on without the caffeine-jitters vibe
  • Arousal regulation – Especially key for young or high-energy dogs in pet homes
  • The off switch – Calm engagement = calmer downtime
  • A fulfilled dog – Dogs LOVE working with their nose. It satisfies them on a deep, doggy level

And best of all? McKay’s study found that both young and older dogs adapted beautifully to scent training; so whether you’ve got a fresh-out-the-wrapper puppy or a seasoned worker, it’s never too early (or too late) to start.

Scentwork isn’t a side quest. It’s the upgrade.

Whether you’re prepping your pup for working tests or trying to help your sofa-sprawled spaniel chill the heck out at home - scentwork delivers.

It’s more than a trick. It’s a tool.

A calm, clever, well-regulated, nose-first dog doesn’t just perform better in the field… they live better in your home.

Want to get started with scent work the fun, no-pressure, tail-wagging way?

Check out our scentwork beginners courses where we’ll turn your over-aroused zoomer into a scent-savvy search wizard. Treats and giggles guaranteed. Off switch included.

Our next Scentwork for Beginners Evening Course with Sam Negus is starting on Thursday 2nd October 2025 and will run for 7 sessions, all on Thursdays at 7pm to 9pm.

Open to dogs of all breeds, all ages and all abilities, the course has been carefully designed to help you build a strong foundation in scent detection using kind, reward-based methods that create confidence and enthusiasm in your dog.

Over six in-person sessions, plus a handler-only introduction, you’ll explore how dogs use their incredible noses and how to set them up for scenting success, whether you're training for fun or future progression.

Using a series of fun, force-free, reward-based games and exercises, the Beginners Scentwork course will show you how to get started in the most positive, engaging way.

For more information and booking head to: https://kemblesfield.co.uk/products/scentwork-for-beginners-evening-course-with-sam-negus 

 

Reference articles

Back to blog