Sporting detection is a growing activity that may just be what your dog needs to increase her mental stimulation and provide some gentle exercise. It’s a game of “find the hidden scent” that you can set up very easily with some essential oils and miscellaneous boxes, boots, bins or bags. For some dogs, physical activity is difficult. Age or physical challenges may cause your furry friend to be less eager to go running at the park than she used to be. Enter sporting detection.
All dogs are nasal sleuths, and sporting detection takes advantage of this to keep them (and their human companions) having fun!
It can be done indoors or outdoors, and it can be done purely as a liesure activity or even pursued as a sport. Watch Karen Apfel from the Sporting Detection Dogs Association explain the basics about sport detection and find out how your dog can put on her detective cap and do what she loves to do right in your own yard or home!
Fun Facts: All but one of the dogs in this video acted in Saving Dinah. When you watch the movie, keep them in mind to see if you can identify them all. One of them is a lot bigger in this video than he was when shooting the film, so it won’t be easy!
