The Connection Between Human Sense of Smell and Memory
Okay–so we covered what dogs smell like and what causes them to smell but why exactly do people ENJOY smelling their dog? This is especially interesting since we’ve established that dogs don’t exactly smell like flowers and perfume. To answer this question, let’s review the 5 human senses: sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. These senses all work together to allow us to experience things and take in information in our daily lives. They also help us retain and recall certain memories. All 5 senses, when triggered, can activate regions in our brain that are linked to memory recall. Of the 5 senses, the sense of smell is found to be more strongly connected to the regions in our brain that handle our emotions.
What this means is that when people smell things that are familiar to them, they can quickly associate this smell with an emotion. If we were to try to put this in the context of our dogs, what emotion do you feel strongest when you’re thinking about your dog? I’d bet on anything that the emotion most responsible pet owners would be feeling is an overwhelming surge of LOVE.
Moreover, despite individual differences between dogs, their signature cornchip scent is pretty standard among all breeds. If you find that you enjoy this smell, it might be because you are recalling fond memories of dogs from your past and present. It is a subtle reminder of all the dogs we’ve come to love throughout our years as dog owners.
Why Do We Love That Smell?
While a dirty dog is hardly a fun time in the olfactory sense, a clean and healthy dog’s smell is likely something that, if you’re familiar with it, will give you a sense of comfort. In the same way that we attribute many emotions to the “newborn baby” aroma, the scent of a dog can bring equal comfort.
For those that don’t know, science shows that the sense of smell is often one of the strongest senses attributed to memory. Perhaps if you have fond memories of dogs in general, or even just your dog, this likely helps you appreciate their smell more. But that’s not all! It seems like there are plenty of places on the internet where people are having this very discussion.
Can dogs smell their owners from 11 miles away?
If more air passes through their nose they have more chance to pick up smells. How far dogs can smell depends on many things, such as the wind and the type of scent. Under perfect conditions, they have been reported to smell objects or people as far as 20km away.
What are the Smelliest Dog Breeds?
When Dog Paws Smell Like Corn Chips
If you get close enough to your dog’s feet, you might have noticed that they smell a bit like corn chips or Fritos. Some dog owners don’t mind the aroma. Others might find the smell unpleasant and perhaps even wonder if it’s a sign of poor health. Since dogs can’t tell us what’s wrong, it’s our job to learn what smells are normal and when it might be time to intervene and seek veterinary care.