While much of what you verbally communicate to your dog can be lost in translation, your furry friend can actually understand quite a bit through a superior sense of smell. From interpreting complex emotions to taking important social cues, a dog’s nose is his guide, helping him to navigate and understand the world at large. To demonstrate how your puppy pal uses this heightened sensory ability, the trusted dog boarding facility Bar-King Dog Kennel has shared three amazing facts about his fine-tuned sense of smell.

What You Might Not Know About a Dog’s Amazing Nose

1. Dogs Can Detect Human Emotions Through Smell

Dogs collect information about their human partners through their keen sense of smell to determine how to respond to various social situations. As it turns out, dogs can sniff out emotions such as fear, anxiety, and even sadness using only their noses. Dogs will also mirror human emotions, so if you’re feeling sad or anxious when dropping off your furry friend for dog boarding, for example, they can start to manifest those traits as well. To better acclimate your dog to social situations, curb your negative emotions by focusing on the positive, such as the opportunity your puppy pal will have to spend time with other four-legged friends in your absence.

2. Dogs Can Smell When You Leave

Dogs measure their days by scent, and different times of the day each have a unique smell.  When you leave your dog throughout the day, he can detect your absence through smell. To help put him at ease while he’s away at a dog boarding facility, for example, it’s helpful to bring along a familiar item, such as a favorite toy or blanket. Your dog will associate the familiar smell with you and feel more comfortable.

3. You Can’t Fool Your Dog’s Sense of Smell

When humans experience a negative emotion, such as anxiety, adrenaline kicks in as a fight or flight response. Although it’s undetectable by our own measures, dogs can sniff it out in an instant. For this reason, it’s not possible to fool your dog’s well-attuned nose any more than to fool yourself out of your own anxiety. Instead, focus on managing your negative emotions such as stress, and this will, in turn, put your dog at ease.

If you’re in need of a reliable dog boarding facility for your special family member, put your trust in Bar-King Dog Kennel in Keeau, HI. As the only business on Hilo that offers pet quarantine service, this trusted dog kennel provides four-legged customers with everything from dog and cat boarding to pet grooming. To make an appointment or take a tour, give them a call today at (808) 966-8733 or visit their website for more information.