Dogwood is the home of Scentventure®
Combining elements of scentwork and adventure, Scentventure keeps your dog fit, healthy and happy. Obstacles in the environment are repurposed for adventure for dogs to climb, jump, go under, over, through and search for scent. Scentventure builds confidence in nervous dogs and slows down 100mph dogs, creating calm and focus.
Scentventure started with Katie and her rescue dog Lao just pottering around in a field, but it grew into something hugely beneficial - not just for Lao but for hundreds or Katie’s private training clients. You can go on your own Scentventure at Dogwood!
Problem solving to find food or toys is a natural thing for dogs to do. Sniffing and searching is such a rewarding activity that we need to provide them with opportunities to use their noses every single day. Research suggests that regular sniffing can reduce stress, anxiety and reactive behaviour. Why not try some of these scent games during your visit?
Log scatter
The natural log piles encourage dogs to interact with their surroundings and provide physical and mental challenges. Scatter some of your dog's favourite treats among the logs and watch them use their noses and bodies to find their food.
TREAT LOG
Cavities in the logs create hidey-holes for treats, engaging the senses of smell and touch.
Digging pit – ignite your dog’s curiosity by placing treats on top of the sand at first, next bury them just under the top layer and encourage them to ‘Find it’.
Hide and seek – wait until your dog is not looking at you and then hide. Call them and wait for them to find you, giving lots of praise and a tasty treat when they do.
Food or toy searches – hide smelly treats or your dog’s favourite toy around the field and cue them to ‘Find it!’
Sensory gardens
Dogwood’s Sensory Gardens reduce stress and anxiety, encourage dogs to become more secure in their surroundings and provide stimulation and enrichment. The gardens are made up of a variety of different smells, textures and sounds to engage all the senses. Dogs love nothing more than having a good sniff about so let them explore their new fascinating environment rich with scent. Did you know that dogs choose plants to self-medicate based on their physiological and psychological needs? We have plants with relaxation properties to help anxious, hyperactive or stressed dogs, plants for skin irritation or stomach upsets, hormonal imbalance, digestive or urinary problems and inflammation. They might decide to smell a plant, or they may wish to ingest it. The tyres give dogs a nice shelf to stand on while they choose what they need.
depending on the time of year, these are some of the plants you may find at dogwood
Catnip: not just for cats! This has relaxation properties and stimulates playfulness in dogs
Chamomile: dogs suffering from anxiety or skin/stomach upsets will be attracted to this plant’s scent
Clary sage: good for highly strung animals and those with hormonal imbalance
Hops: a calming plant often selected by hyperactive and stressed dogs
Lavender: helps to reduce anxiety and other nervous conditions
Marigolds: dogs experiencing grief or emotional distress will often sniff out this plant
Marshmallow: known to help animals with delicate stomachs
Meadowsweet: often selected by dogs with digestive problems, arthritis and rheumatic conditions
Mimulus: used as a remedy for animals that are nervous, timid and shy
Mint: good for cooling properties and will often be selected by dogs who suffer from skin irritations
Plantain: helps gastric irritation and inflammation
Thyme: chosen by animals with bacterial infections, skin irritations and diarrhoea
Valerian: often selected by anxious dogs for its calming effect
Vervain: valuable for treating and nourishing nervous system disorders such as depression
Violets: Nervous dogs or those who have recently changed home may enjoy sniffing this plant
Yarrow: offered to animals with inflammation, urinary problems and internal and external wounds.
DOG PLAYGROUND
Dogwood’s Adventure Play® equipment introduces dogs to the world of jumping, climbing, balancing and crawling. A sense of adventure helps dogs feel more confident and overcomes fears.
