Andrew Bigwood
arhb.bsky.social
Andrew Bigwood
@arhb.bsky.social
SniffStuff | Dog Olfaction Fanatic
🐩 Does a dog wonder about their ball; 🐩

🐶 how differently it moves in water
and on solid ground? 🐶

📈 Or is that just a human overthinking
simple enjoyment of the moment? 📉

Video on LinkedIn #SniffStuff
January 23, 2025 at 11:37 AM
The Journey of Training a Truffle Dog

Some things simply take longer than the brief attention span often associated with TikTok.

It's crucial to focus on the experience of the journey rather than fixating solely on the outcome.
January 16, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Creating a product/service that someone would want should be secondary.
Creating a product/service that I would want is the priority.

A mentor said to me when I asked what standard was required,
"Finish everything the way you would want it for yourself".

If you can make something better, do it.
January 13, 2025 at 1:17 PM
🐩 Understanding Your Dog's Day Through Smell 🐩

Reflect on daily interactions with your dog, from the moment you wake up til bed...

Now, try to envision these experiences from your dog's perspective, focusing on how they perceive the world primarily through their sense of smell.

#SniffStuff
January 8, 2025 at 12:57 PM
How do you know that a dog has enjoyed their walk?
A dog that lingers behind and hesitates to return to the car is a sign of a pup who truly loves their walks.
I've started Reuben on some basic scent training. It's very early days, but so far so positive.
#SniffStuff #Olfaction #ScentWork #Nosework
December 27, 2024 at 4:36 PM
This is the beginning of a journey.
A journey within a journey.
These are truffles I've bought to scent train Reuben, the Labradoodle.
Training may take some time, for Reuben and I.
I look forward to the next few months.
I'll try to record the progress as we go.
#SniffStuff #TruffleDog #ScentTrain
December 23, 2024 at 12:59 PM


The Science of Sniffing
When a dog is actively sniffing, it does so at a remarkable speed. Dogs can take in 5 to 10 sniffs per second, allowing them to rapidly gather and process scent information. Each sniff brings in fresh molecules that are analyzed by their olfactory receptors.
#SniffStuff
December 20, 2024 at 9:02 AM


The pre-poop sniffing appears to be scanning for other animal scent,
left on the tips of dead bracken adorning the edges of trails we walk.

Reuben can learn so much from this scent,
about the animal who left it,
and why he is compelled to leave his mark there also.

#SniffStuff #Olfaction
December 16, 2024 at 11:45 AM
Based on the premise that a dog should have its primary needs fulfilled, when its primary sense is its nose, is sniffing not a primary need?
#SniffStuff
December 14, 2024 at 8:55 AM
A personality begins to emerge...

Today’s walk provided valuable insight into Reuben’s behaviour and preferences, and I’m eager to see how he enjoys a more natural setting.
#personality #connection #sniffstuff #dog
December 12, 2024 at 9:31 AM
"Olfactory information goes straight to the forebrain missing out the stopover point, the thalamus, where all other sensory systems arrive when entering the brain." @alexandrahorowitz.bsky.social

I cannot recommend this book enough, if you have a dog.

I'm relentlessly mind-blown, and I'm 1/3 in!
December 5, 2024 at 11:20 AM


We associate certain colours with certain tastes:

"Cherry juice made to look green tastes to us like lime. Color a white wine red, and even enology study students taste it as red." Alexandra Horowitz.

The question is,
Are humans relying too much on vision alone?
#olfaction #SniffStuff #senses
December 4, 2024 at 11:38 AM
A dog wags it's tail to provide visual information to other dogs about how it feels.

A dog also wags it's tail to waft it's own scent around it's vicinity, providing more information to other dogs.

Thanks to @alexandrahorowitz.bsky.social

#SniffStuff #Olfaction #DogBodyLanguage
December 2, 2024 at 11:48 AM
November 30, 2024 at 11:18 AM
Rather than seeing our dog's sniffing as a distraction, we should recognise it as a meaningful behaviour.

Sniffing scent isn't just instinct - it's a sign of sophisticated cognition processing millions of receptors.

Neglecting this denies a dog's fulfilment of their natural talents.

#SniffStuff
November 29, 2024 at 9:07 AM
Reposted by Andrew Bigwood
3 million dogs in Morocco are at risk of being killed ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup. The massacre has already started. Take action today to stop this mindless slaughter. Sign the petition now: iawpc.org #stopkillingdogsinmorocco #FIFAWorldCup #YallaVamos2030
IAWPC – International Animal Coalition
Join our campaign to protect Morocco's street dogs ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Learn how you can help stop the brutal killings and make a difference.
iawpc.org
November 28, 2024 at 10:15 AM
Dogs live in a world defined by scents in a way we can scarcely imagine.
Their nose is their primary tool for communicating, exploring environments, locating food and identifying other animals.
It's how they experience joy in discovering new aromatic adventures each day.
#SniffStuff #dog #olfact
November 28, 2024 at 12:15 PM
Image taken at The Wolf Conservation Centre, Reading, UK, circa 2010.
#wolf #sniffstuff #olfaction
November 27, 2024 at 11:28 AM
Super excited to start reading this book by @alexandrahorowitz.bsky.social later today, as I've heard such good things about it.
I'm finishing 'Unleashing Your Dog' right now, by Marc Bekoff and Jessica Pierce, which has also been a real pleasure to read.
#SniffersKeepOnSniffing
November 27, 2024 at 11:19 AM
November 26, 2024 at 11:14 AM
#SniffStuff guides humans to encourage their dog's to sniff.
By recognising their amazing sniff power,
we can ensure their psychological and emotional needs,
are met with daily sniff activities.

Imagine the difference that might make...
not only to our dog's lives,
but to our lives too!
#dog
November 26, 2024 at 11:12 AM
Both highly recommended - I'm still reading 'Unleashing Your Dog's, and it's filled with gems.
#SniffStuff
November 26, 2024 at 8:47 AM
Empathy and Compassion: For Your Dog—and For Yourself

Whilst building a deeper connection with your dog, it’s also an opportunity to reconnect with yourself, embrace the present moment, and celebrate the small but meaningful progress you’re both making together.
#SniffStuff
November 25, 2024 at 6:51 PM
Empathy and Compassion: For Your Dog and For Yourself
In a world filled with challenges and complexities, it’s important to offer yourself the same patience, understanding and kindness that you strive to give your dog. Just as your dog deserves the freedom to explore, grow, and thrive, so do you.
November 25, 2024 at 6:50 PM