13/02/2026
100%
And this goes for all dogs!!!
🧠 Sniff Before Train: Why Letting Dogs Smell First Improves Learning 🧠🐾
At Emerald Park Border Collies, I don’t rush straight into cues and drills. I let dogs sniff first; because neuroscience shows that olfaction primes the brain for better focus, learning, and emotional regulation.
🔬 What Happens When a Dog Sniffs
Sniffing activates the olfactory bulb, which has direct connections to the limbic system and prefrontal regions of the brain. This immediately
• lowers baseline stress levels
• regulates arousal and heart rate
• increases dopamine and exploratory motivation
In short, sniffing organizes the brain before work begins.
🧠 Sniffing Is Not Distraction, It’s Preparation
When a dog enters a new space, the brain seeks information. Allowing a brief sniff period lets the dog
• map the environment
• resolve uncertainty
• establish emotional context
Once this information is gathered, cognitive resources are freed for learning and task engagement.
🐕 Why Border Collies Especially Benefit
Border Collies are fast processors. If they are denied the chance to sample their environment, their brains often stay in scanning mode. Sniffing first helps
• reduce hyper-vigilance
• improve sustained focus
• prevent mental fragmentation during training
A settled brain learns faster.
🎯 Training Outcomes Improve
Dogs allowed to sniff before training show
• quicker cue response
• greater persistence on difficult tasks
• fewer stress-related behaviors
This is not indulgence. It is neurological readiness.
🌿 Practical Application
Before a session, allow a few minutes of free sniffing on a loose lead or in the training space. No cues. No corrections. Just information gathering. You are not losing training time. You are investing in it.
✨ The Takeaway
Sniffing is how dogs ask, “Where am I and what matters here?”
Once that question is answered, learning can begin.
Because a Border Collie that gets to sniff first doesn’t lose focus.
They find it 💚🐾
- Donna Williams,
Emerald Park Border Collies.
www.emeraldparkbc.com