BEING A DOG: Following the Dog into a World of Smell | Alexandra Horowitz | Talks at Google

TL;DR

Alexander Horowitz discusses her new book, "Being a Dog," and explores the incredible sense of smell that dogs possess.

Transcript

as a freshly minted pet parent and a longtime lover of dogs and their cute little wet noses it gives me great pleasure to introduce today's speaker Alexander Horowitz is a behavior scientist in dog cognition she teaches psychology animal behavior and dog cognition at Barnard College in a Columbia University she's a New York Times bestselling author... Read More

Key Insights

• 👃 Dogs have a highly developed sense of smell due to the large number of olfactory receptor cells and the presence of a vomeronasal organ.
• 🤵 Smelling is a crucial way for dogs to gather information about their surroundings, other dogs, and humans.
• 🕵️ Dogs can be trained to perform various olfactory tasks, such as detecting drugs, explosives, and even diseases like cancer.
• 👃 Engaging in activities that allow dogs to use their sense of smell, such as smell walks and nose work classes, can greatly enrich their lives.
• 🐶 Pet owners should recognize and appreciate their dogs' sense of smell and allow them to sniff during walks and explore the environment through their noses. Additionally, engaging in interactive feeding methods can make mealtime more enjoyable for dogs.

Questions & Answers

Q: Do dogs have a stronger sense of smell than humans?

Yes, dogs have a much stronger sense of smell compared to humans. They have hundreds of millions more olfactory receptor cells and possess a vomeronasal organ, which allows them to detect non-volatile odors such as hormones.

Q: Can dogs detect diseases through smell?

Dogs have the ability to detect certain diseases like cancer by sniffing volatile compounds in exhaled breath, blood, or urine. However, this is still an area of ongoing research and not yet a common practice in hospitals.

Q: How can I make dog food more exciting for my pet?

One way to make dog food more exciting is by turning mealtime into a search game. Hide the food in toys or create DIY sniffing activities to engage their sense of smell and make mealtime more stimulating.

Q: How can I enhance my own sense of smell?

To improve your sense of smell, make a conscious effort to sniff things throughout the day and try to name the smells or make associations. Engaging in smell walks, exploring different scents, and training your nose to pick up various odors can help enhance your olfactory experience.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Alexander Horowitz shares her journey from being a dog lover to a researcher of dog cognition.

• She explains the importance of understanding the world of olfaction and how it relates to the canine species.

• Horowitz emphasizes the need for pet owners to recognize and appreciate their dogs' sense of smell through activities such as smell walks and nose work classes.