Those with peanut allergies know what a problem it is to avoid the food. It seems to be everywhere. In the case of Riley Mers, like many other people, peanuts are potentially life threatening. Now she has added protection. She has a peanut scenting dog:
Science appears to be venturing into a realm that dogs know well. Research is predicting that it may be possible to identify people by their odour. Speculation is that each individual emits a unique ‘odourprint’:
In the medical literature and through anecdotal reports, some dogs have detected cancers cells and have drawn it to their owners’ attention. The dogs may have sniffed at the spot continually or may have tried to nip at it. Science has confirmed what some dogs already knew:
“…Now chemists have discovered what they call the scent of basal cell carcinoma – the most common form of skin cancer. They hope it will lead to quicker ways of diagnosing the disease, using a hand-held scanner or sensor waved over the skin.”
link: Skin cancer has a specific ’smell’ – so how do we sniff it out?
This ability of some dogs to identify that cancer scent through perfumes, colognes, soap residue, detergent chemicals and a myriad of other smells is remarkable. What remains a mystery is ‘how do the dogs know that the cancer scent is harmful?’.
Catherine Forsythe
Your dog may have a favourite dog bed or cushion. If the fabric material begins to take on a ‘doggy odour’, it is possible to take out that scent with either baking soda or dry tea leaves. Just sprinkle the baking soda on the dog bed and leave it for a few hours. Then it can be vacuumed and the odour will be decreased significantly.
Dried tea leaves do a similar job. Many dog owners dry the used tea leaves and save them. The dried tea leaves can be used in the same way as the baking soda. It may leave a hint of a tea scent. This method of deodourising with tea leaves is believed to be a way of controlling dog fleas too.
The mild scent that is left with the tea leaves can be used to your advantage. The dog will recognize and associate the scent with its own space. It is a place where it can rest. If there is the need to introduce new bedding for the dog, putting tea leave on the fabric will help the dog identify this as a familiar place. The mild scent, which may not be detected by humans, will tell the dog what it needs to know. It is using a mild, faint scent to communicate with the dog.
Catherine Forsythe
Through accident, aging or genetics, your dog may have a sight problem. In most cases, with familiar surroundings, the dog has amazing coping abilities. However, there are situation that can prove to be dangerous, like stairs for example. Here is where the humans can call upon the dog’s sense of smell to offer the dog more information.
Let’s use the example of stairs. If your vision impaired dog has a problem with stairs, it is possible to give the dog olfactory clues. With a cotton swab, dip the cotton end in perfume or cologne. Touch the cotton swab to the edge of the step. Keep going up in the straight line and do the same procedure with each step. You will have marked a trail for your dog. Each step will have a scent identifier, as to where the edge is.
You may be curious as to why a cotton swab is used. The reason is to prevent a mixed scent with you and the fragrance. The goal is to have as pure a fragrance / scent for the dog to identify and track. If the onset of the vision problem is sudden and the dog have navigation problems in the house, this method can be used to identify corners, furniture and other such obstacles. Some people go and buy a different perfume or cologne to make it easier on the dog. You can test the fragrance on a inconspicuous spot to see if it causes any staining. If your dog has a sight problem, this scent trail will produce a “marked” improvement.
Catherine Forsythe
