nose work

Scent detection training

Nose work is a dog training activity that harnesses a dog's natural scenting abilities.

Dogs learn to detect and locate specific odors—often essential oils like birch or anise—hidden in containers, vehicles, or indoor spaces.

The activity originated from detection dog training but has become popular as enrichment for pet dogs: Our beagle loves nose work class.

Also called scent work.

Related
  • scentAirborne odor detected
  • sniffBrief nasal inhalation
  • trackingMonitoring location over time
  • detectionAct of finding something
  • odorPerceived atmospheric emission

canine · trained dog · search · trail · search and rescue · smell · hunting · olfactory · hound · find · hide · hide and seek · truffle · handler · reward · alert · target · box

Opposites
primary sense used in dog training/activities

nose workvisual tracking

Following motion with eyes

physical demand level

nose workagility

Quickness and ease

agility training · flyball · sprint racing · IPO

independence vs. handler control

nose workobedience

Compliance with authority

command training · obedience training

Family

nose, work, noses, nosed, nosy, nosing, nasal, works, worked

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Positive · Rated G