We’ve previously discussed the powerful sense of smell that dogs possess. It’s evident in their behavior when they sprint towards the kitchen or treat bag. But just how powerful is a dog’s nose? Can they actually smell underwater?
The answer is yes!
In fact, some dogs are specially trained to detect scents underwater. These search dogs are trained to locate people, drugs, and other objects that may be submerged in bodies of water. Although they are often referred to as cadaver dogs, their abilities extend beyond that grim label.
If you’re unsure whether your dog can smell underwater, there are a few signs to look out for.
If these behaviors occur near a shoreline, lake, river, or any body of water, it’s possible that your dog is picking up a scent. Read on to learn more about how to recognize when your dog is detecting a scent, how to train your dog to smell underwater, and to gain a better understanding of your dog’s incredible sense of smell.
Signs Your Dog Can Smell Underwater
Your dog’s sense of smell is unmatched, and they are equipped to smell underwater as well. Dogs have two holes in their skull that allow them to inhale scent without water entering their respiratory system. This enables them to dive underwater and detect scents from their source.
If your dog is picking up a scent from underwater, you may notice some unusual behavior near or on the water. They might make head adjustments or twitching motions to better capture the scent. Then, they will begin sniffing obsessively, displaying a heightened focus on the smell.
You may observe your dog running around the water’s edge or along a boat with their nose in the air. They may bark or growl to get your attention and alert you to the scent. It’s important not to ignore your dog in these situations. Listen to them, try to pick up on any unusual cues, and if it is safe, consider diving down to investigate with them.
Body Language
Here are some body language cues your dog might exhibit if they are detecting a scent coming from underwater. If your dog displays any of these behaviors near water or a body of water, it’s possible they are picking up on something underwater:
– Growling
– Alertness
– Barking
– Tilting their head
– Sniffing
– Freezing
– Turning their head
– Bobbing their head
– Ears up
Other Signs
There are additional cues your dog might display. Look out for the following body language hints to determine if your dog is detecting a scent underwater:
– Obsessive sniffing
– Refusal to move from the water’s edge
– Attempting to get your attention
– Following a scent towards the water’s edge
– Licking or sniffing the water’s edge
Dogs and Water Throughout History
Dogs trained to sniff out scents in the water, often called cadaver dogs, have been assisting law enforcement for decades. This training began in the 1970s, with the first police dog, Pearl, starting her career in 1974. It was discovered that scents from bodies and objects released into water currents could be tracked by dogs, leading to the source of the smell. Hundreds of dogs are trained each year to locate submerged objects or individuals.
Your Dog’s Nose: The Science Behind Smelling Underwater
A dog’s sense of smell far surpasses that of humans. Smell, or olfaction, is a dog’s primary sense. Dogs have approximately 220 million olfactory receptors on their noses, compared to the 5 million in humans. Their olfactory cells have more cilia, tiny hairs, than humans, enabling them to detect scents more efficiently. Dogs can even smell underwater due to the presence of the vomeronasal organ, also known as the Jacobs organ. This organ connects to the olfactory lobe through 600 nerve bundles. Additionally, dogs have two small holes in the roof of their mouths that allow them to inhale scent without inhaling water, facilitating smelling while underwater.
Training Your Dog to Smell Underwater
Dogs possess exceptional abilities that can be utilized with proper training. If you notice that your dog has an exceptional sense of smell, you may consider getting them trained to detect scents underwater. Cadaver dogs undergo rigorous training to perform their tasks. While you may not be able to replicate this training at home, you can explore programs that specialize in training dogs for this purpose. This type of training goes beyond basic commands and rewards, requiring specific techniques. For instance, real-life situational training involves using pig remains since humans cannot be used. The varying stages of decomposition provide essential scents for the dog’s training. Trainers gradually move the pig remains closer to the water, helping the dogs acclimate to changing scents.
As the scent rises to the water’s surface, dogs can pick it up. They eventually become so well-trained that they exhibit lively behavior, running from one side of a boat to the other when they detect a scent. Trainers also teach dogs to make eye contact with handlers and bark to indicate they have detected something.
“Unlocking the Hidden World: How Your Dog’s Nose Can Detect Scents Underwater”
Tips & Things to Know
1️⃣ Dogs have a powerful sense of smell that allows them to detect scents underwater. Some dogs are specially trained to locate people, drugs, and other objects underwater.
2️⃣ If your dog is picking up a scent from underwater, you may notice certain behavioral signs, such as head adjustments, obsessive sniffing, barking, and running along the water’s edge. Pay attention to your dog’s body language and take their cues seriously.
3️⃣ Training your dog to smell underwater is a complex process that requires specialized training. Programs exist that can train dogs to locate objects or people underwater, but it involves using pig remains to simulate the scent of decomposing bodies.
Frequently Asked Questions, Answered ✅
1. Can dogs smell underwater?
– Yes, some dogs are specially trained to smell underwater to locate people, drugs, and other things underwater.
2. What are some signs that my dog is picking up a scent from underwater?
– Some signs include adjustments or twitching motions with their head, obsessive sniffing, barking, growling, head tilting, and freezing.
3. How does a dog’s sense of smell differ from humans?
– Dogs have about 220 million olfactory receptors on their noses, compared to humans’ 5 million. Dogs also have the vomeronasal organ, which allows them to smell underwater.
4. How can I train my dog to smell underwater?
– Training your dog to smell underwater requires specialized training programs, often using pig remains to simulate different stages of decomposition. This training involves gradually exposing the dog to the changing scent and teaching them to recognize and signal when they smell something off.
5. How long have dogs been used to locate objects and people underwater?
– Dogs have been used since the 1970s to locate objects and people underwater. The first police dog in the United States to help with cadaver search started her career in 1974.
