Dogs don’t wear watches. They don’t check the wall clock or their phones. However, they do have a sense of time, according to dog cognition expert Alexandra Horowitz — and it’s all in the nose.
That’s right, your dog’s greatest sense of the world relies on their nose, not their eyes. Scientists believe dogs can “sense” time based on the degree of scent change around them.
Let’s break it down.
How Dogs Scent Time
Their noses are next-level. When we sense nuanced layers of scent, such as the aroma of coffee in the morning or a friend's cologne, dogs scent layers of information most humans cannot fathom. This is like watching a whole movie in 4D while we are stuck in black and white.
Here is how dogs scent:
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Scent changes and fades over time: As the day moves forward, scents become progressively stronger and then fade. Dogs will associate the changing smell with their knowledge of scent. For example, when you leave your home, your scent begins to fade. Your dog is learning what “midday” smells like based on the scent that is left behind.
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Strength tells the story: The strength of a smell tells dogs if something just happened, is happening, or happened a long time ago. Your dog is not merely aware that you came home. They are aware of how long ago you left.
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They may even smell the future: That sounds crazy, right? Think about how the wind blows around a corner and moves scent. Dogs can literally “smell what is around the corner” before they arrive. It is not precognition like a fortune teller, but it is something similar.
Why That Matters: The Power of a Sniff
When your dog sniffs a tree, a fire hydrant, or your shoes, they are not being nosy. They are reading the environment. When dogs use their senses to learn about something, they are using their nose the same way we use our sight. They smell news, trace time, sense moods, and more.
Letting your dog stop and sniff is not a delay in their journey. It is a conversation with their experience. Let them sniff the time away. The next time you are walking, let your dog spend time lingering. Let them discover the stories on the sidewalk, windborne tales from trees, and the fading trail of humanity.
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Sniff-walks can be a lot of fun. They are brain fuel.
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Sniff-walks help your dog feel safe, stimulated, and aware of their time and space.
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Sniff-walks are how your dog learns about their world — minute by minute, scent by scent.
Embrace the nose. Embrace the moment. Let your dog be a dog. Let them tell time their way. Why not add a couple of extra sniff-stops to your next walk? You may be surprised at what you both learn.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/dogs-tell-time-with-their-noses-expert-says/
