Effects of scentwork and traditional training classes on dog welfare, behavior, and human-dog bond

When hoping to improve their dogs’ behavior, owners often turn to basic obedience/manners courses. Scentwork classes, where dogs use their noses to find treats and odors, could be a potential alternative to these classes, because scentwork-based classes allow dogs to engage in the natural behavior of sniffing. The goal of this experimental study was to determine whether scentwork classes have a more positive impact on dog welfare, behavior, and the human-dog bond than basic obedience classes. Dogs and owners were randomly assigned to four-week long obedience or scentwork classes. Owners completed the Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ), the Monash Dog Owner Relationship Scale (MDORS), and dogs participated in a judgment bias test before and after their assigned class. There were no significant differences between the groups in C-BARQ or MDORS scores on any scales nor was there a significant difference on the judgment bias test by group. Owners in the total sample and in the Obedience group reported a significant increase in trainability for their dogs, as measured by C-BARQ, from pre- to post-measures whereas owners in the Scentwork group reported a significant increase in C-BARQ hyperactivity for their dogs. Judgment bias test scores improved significantly for the total sample and the Obedience group. There was a significant association between training class and the owners’ perception of their dogs’ quality of life such that owners with dogs in the scentwork classes reported their dogs’ quality of life had improved. These findings suggest that positive training in general might increase positive judgement bias and thus the welfare of dogs, although obedience classes might have more general improvements for training. Although more research is needed to further explore specific potential benefits of scentwork training, the results of this study suggest that dogs participating in scentwork classes are likely to enjoy similar benefits as dogs in other positive reinforcement group courses, giving owners more options for classes based on their individual dogs’ needs and interests. • This study measures change for dogs that took scentwork or obedience • Total sample improved in judgment bias • Dogs who took training improved in obedience and hyperactivity increased for dogs in scentwork • Positive reinforcement training seems to be beneficial for pet dogs • Different courses have different benefits