I simply had to share this story about Luke today, because his nose amazes me sometimes. The photos aren’t the greatest, since I had to use my phone in low light to capture the moment as it had happened, so I apologize for that.
Let me set the scene: on days that I don’t have to work, my routine is to sit on the couch closest to the wood stove, drinking my coffee and watching the news before starting my day. Luke almost always joins me there, so it’s a great snuggle time for us!
This morning I had barely sat down, and Luke joined me immediately. After just a couple of minutes, his nose suddenly went up in the air. “Whatcha smell, Buddy?” I asked. He continued to sniff and then jumped off the couch and went behind it and sat next to the sideboard that is behind us.
It didn’t take me long to remember that last night I had given him a new Kong Squeezz ball* (affiliate link) to play with. After he had played with it for a while, and was not in the room I picked it up and put it in the drawer of the sideboard. He did not see me put it in there. I often stash his toys because the next evening when he’s bored and whiny, pulling a toy out of somewhere gets him more interested in it.
Sitting on the couch this morning, he smelled that ball in the drawer behind us! I know there is no other reason that he went and sat where he did, he has done this type of thing before. Sometimes he remembers where I stashed a toy, but he’s also been known to sniff them out when he does not know. In addition, once I have stashed a toy there once, he will not forget. In this case, I had never put a toy in that drawer before. Next time he’s bored, he’ll probably go sit by that drawer and whine, even if there’s not a toy in there!
His nose continues to amaze me and there is no doubt that we’ll be taking the next Nose Works class at Fenzi this spring! What do you think – is Luke’s nose exceptional or am I just an overly proud dog Mom?
Dogs have the best noses! Good job Luke you knew where it was.
He sounds like a true candidate for nose work for sure! You’ve given me a great idea about putting the toys away (out of sight) at night, gonna try that this evening.
These guys have so many toys, and they get bored with all of them! Hiding them away really does help to keep them feeling newer for them.
Is there a such thing as an overly proud dog mom? Animals in general don’t get nearly enough credit for their intellectual, emotional, and sensing lives … they are amazing. Sounds like the nose work is right up Luke’s alley 🙂
I think you are right. So many dogs are mostly “just pets” and they never get to explore the potential they have! I wish I had done more with the girls when they were younger, as far as exploring what they can do with their senses.
Smart, clever boy! Happy squeaking, Luke.
Rye has that same ball! So far, it’s hanging in there, so we’ll have to compare notes on how long they last. That’s such a cute story. So far, Barley has only sniffed out snacks that I thought were well hidden (she found one I set on top of a dresser that’s taller than I am the other night!) and Rye has been too busy to waste time sniffing, so we’ll see if she eventually starts using her sniffer or not!
Sniffing out treats is definitely Cricket’s preferred use of her nose! Rye is still young, but if she does have hound dog in her I’m sure she’ll start using that nose some day.
When I first got that ball, I was nervous because it looks like another ball we used to get that wouldn’t last more than a day with Luke. But so far, so good still!
We just can’t fool our pups’ noses, can we?! My girl Missy comes running through the entire house when she’s in a different room while I peel a banana in the kitchen. She LOVES banana and knows I always give her a bit when I eat one.
Luke is a banana lover too! The Dadz shares a banana with him every morning, and Luke just loves that routine. If we run out of bananas, he is not a happy dog!
I’m a Fenzi nosework lover too! Their noses are waaaaay beyond amazing. I cannot believe how hard it is to fool them. I love your story!
Thank you! I think it was your blog that led me to Fenzi so I have you to thank for that as well. It is just so fun to watch them put those noses to work!
The nose knows! Very impressive, Luke! We can sniff a catnip toy out of almost anywhere.
That ball doesn’t have a chance. get ready to buy a new one. We had to look up to see what Fenzi is. We don’t want to tell you that use is not exceptional and hurt your feelings. So…he has the most sensitive nose on the planet! Better not hide a hot dog or milk bone in that drawer. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
Thanks for not bursting my bubble. 🙂
You are a sniffing pro Luke!
Luke’s nose IS amazing, but maybe his memory is as well! As for being an “overly proud Dog Mom”? Nope. Justifiably proud, yes!
Thank you! With Luke it’s definitely a combination of sense of smell, and brains as well! I’m sure his sister’s noses are just as good, they just don’t choose to use them in the ways Luke does!
You could work for the FBI with that sniffer
Lily & Edward
It would be nice if one of the furry bodies could earn their keep around here! BOL
hahaha Luke your nose knows really all and you are something like mr. einstein on 4 legs :o)
Next thing I know he’ll probably be wanting me to call him “Einstein” – BOL!
My mom is amazed by our noses every day. Now that she has learned a lot more about our sense of smell, it is still amazing, but she knows it is also normal for a dog. You poor humans really are lost with your lousy sense of smell!
We humans are also easily amused and impressed; but you probably knew that too, Emma. 🙂