Games for scent hounds

The Nose

  • Will follow his nose anywhere
  • May come from a breed that was used to track scents, such as beagles or other hounds

Top activities:

  • Training your hound to be a search and rescue dog is a huge commitment, but very rewarding if you’ve got the time and passion for it. Check out the National Association for Search & Rescue website to find out if it’s for you.
  • Participate in tracking trials, which involve following a scent trail to find a deliberately “lost” person and any items she dropped. The American Kennel Club puts on tracking events for purebreds; local chapters of the Mixed Breed Dog Clubs of America do the same for mutts.

Other fun stuff:

  • Create your own tracking game by asking your dog for a sit-stay outside, and walking through the grass to leave a scent trail. Leave a treat at the end of the trail, then retrace your steps and release your dog to find the treat.
  • Hide treats throughout your yard and let your dog sniff them out.
  • Turn meals into treasure hunts by putting your dog’s food bowl in a new spot, and leaving a widely spaced trail of kibble to the bowl.

Examples of Noses: Beagles, Black and Tan Coonhounds, Bloodhounds

Fun & games for other dogs:

The Jock

Ball Hound

Couch Potato

Diggity Dog

Every Dog

Smart Cookie

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