Scent-sory Jars
Well, despite the silly name I applied to this enrichment activity it really is very useful and also just plain fun to watch. This activity is used several times during the third and fourth weeks of puppy life. These are various sized mason jars filled with various objects that have a very obvious fragrance. The top of the jars is covered with cheesecloth to keep our curious puppies out of the jars and objects within. I use many different jars and change the smells about every 3-4 days. The puppies tend to love certain smells and return again and again. Other smells elicit funny faces and even sneezes.
Hospital Smells
I use common hospital smells to help adapt our dogs destined to work as volunteer therapists or going to a home with a special needs or sick family member who may be in and out of hospitals or with hospital personnel regularly. All chemical smells are done in a way that exposes the puppies to an extreme minimum of these chemicals and fumes. We want a hint of the smell, just to familiarize the puppies. We save the strong smells for things that are fresh, organic and completely healthy and safe. Here are a few examples of the things I use:
- rubbing alcohol
- povidone iodine
- rubber and/or silicone
- witch hazel
- dilute bleach
- vinegar
- lemons (to help with lemon-scented cleansers)
- ammonia
- various women's perfumes (anyone who has visited a nursing homes understands this selection)
Home Smells
All of our puppies grow up to be beloved companions. We want them to be as accustomed to normal human smells as possible; whether they're destined to be a city dog or a country dog we want them to be confident and well-adjusted. So when you bring your puppy home it smells... just like home! Here are a few examples of the things I use:
- fresh food
- herbs
- grass
- dirt
- flowers
- apple cider vinegar
- hard water
- scented candles
- dryer sheets
- clean cotton and linen