Why Your Canine Needs Enrichment to Live a Happy Life (And How to Start Today)

If you’ve ever watched your dog sniff the same bush for five whole minutes, they're not just browsing the dog social feeds - you’re seeing scent work in action. Scent work makes dogs happy - it’s in their DNA to sniff and search for things to eat, each other, and tell who else has been here, to name only a few things scent is useful for. Dogs live through their noses. For breeds like Sofie - my energetic vizsla and studio sidekick - sniffing isn’t just a habit. It’s a superpower. 🐶👃

Science backs this up: dogs have up to 300 million scent receptors in their noses. Humans? Just 5 million. That’s why scent games are one of the best ways to tire out a high-energy dog - without needing to run a marathon.

Human vs Canine olfactory systems

And the best part? They’re incredibly easy to start at home. We put together a quick starter guide with our favorite scent-based activities as part of canine enrichment to help you try it for yourself.

What Are Scent Games and are they part of Canine Enrichment?

Scent games are simple activities where your dog uses their nose to find treats, toys, or even your socks. You can play indoors or outside, and they’re perfect for any weather. Best of all, they don’t take much time, space, or gear.

Illustration of treats hidden in blanket as part of scent game basics

They’re a real lifesaver when you’re trying to keep your dog entertained - especially when you're trying to focus on something else, like choosing the right style for a custom portrait. Just one of the enrichment games from our downloadable cheat sheet can give your dog that satisfied, post-sniff calm in under ten minutes.

Why Scent Games Work So Well

1. Mental workout = calmer dog Ten minutes of focused sniffing can tire a dog out like an hour-long walk. For dogs with endless energy, that’s a game-changer.

2. They lower stress Sniffing has been shown to reduce stress in dogs. One study even found dogs that practiced scent work became noticeably more optimistic. Yes, really.

3. Any dog can play Whether you have a pointer like Sofie, a senior spaniel, or a chihuahua puppy, sniff games are for everyone. All you need is a treat and a tiny bit of time.

Irish Setter looking for treats in a blanket

Sofie’s Routine

At Pointelier, scent games are part of our day. Sofie gets a sniffing challenge in the morning, and again if the rain keeps us off the beach. It helps her settle - and helps me keep the art flowing.

If you want to bring that kind of peaceful energy into your own home, we’ve bundled our go-to sniffing games into a free resource. Just pop over to the website and download the guide to get started.

Sofie, spent and happy after completing her scent games. Now I can work on some portrait art!

Why it matters for us at Pointelier:

In our seaside atelier, I sketch Sofie with the same devotion I pour into digital brushstrokes. When her mind finds rest through scent games, she becomes calmer - our daily rhythm smoother, and our creative hours richer. Enrichment isn’t indulgence; it's essential. It's the unseen brush that helps me capture her soul in art. Happy dog, happy life - filled with beautiful art.

Visit us to grab your free guide: 6 scent games to tire out your high energy dog and give your go-go-girl (or boy) a chance to follow their nose - and become your happier, calmer doggo bestie.

If you're curious like me, you may want to have a look at our gallery or find out more about us.

- Sam & Sofie (who’s napping tightly next to me)

🌊🐾✨