Scent Parings for Dogs
This protocol is meant to help your dogs slowly and safely get comfortable with each other again by starting with something that feels much less stressful than direct interaction: scent. Dogs learn a lot about each other through smell, so using scent in a thoughtful way can help rebuild familiarity, trust, and a sense of safety. The goal is to move at each dog’s pace, creating calm and positive experiences so that the other dog’s scent begins to feel predictable and reassuring instead of overwhelming. With patience, careful observation, and lots of small successful steps, this process can help lay the foundation for a more peaceful relationship.
Step 1: Passive scent exposure (no approaching the scented item)
Grab some great tasting treats (something special). Start with one dog at a time.
Put the other dog’s scent item far enough away that the working dog notices it but stays relaxed. For some dogs that’s 2 feet; for others it’s 15 feet.
The moment the dog notices the scent and remains under threshold, calmly scatter 3–5 treats on the floor away from the scent item. Let the dog sniff, eat, and move away. Then pick up the the scent item.
Do 3–5 short repetitions. End before the dog gets edgy.
Key rule: do not put the cloth in the dog’s face or force investigation.
Step 2: Scent pairing sessions with approaches
Now let the dog choose to approach the scent item if they want to.
Sequence:
scent appears
dog notices
food scatter or gentle delivery of treats happens
scent disappears
That teaches “other-dog smell makes good things happen and then I get relief.”
Use 1–2 minute sessions, 1–3 times daily.
Step 3: Station swaps
This is one of the best steps.
Let Dog A spend 10–30 minutes in a room, on a mat, or in a crate area. Remove Dog A. Bring Dog B into that same area to sniff and explore. Scatter food or let Dog B do a calm sniffing/foraging activity there. Later, reverse it.
This helps rebuild familiarity without direct pressure and lets them process each other’s odor safely.
References
American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. (2021). Position statement on humane dog training.
Fear Free. (2026). Body language and signs of FAS.
Landsberg, G., Radosta, L., & Ackerman, L. (2024). Behavior problems of the dog and cat (4th ed.).
Scholz, M., & von Reinhardt, C. (2007). Stress in dogs.
Stewart, G. (2016). Behavior Adjustment Training 2.0.
VCA Animal Hospitals. (2014/2026 site edition). Dog behavior and training—introducing a new dog to your family dog; Dog aggression and sibling rivalry—treatment.
Wilde, N. (2018). Keeping the peace: A guide to solving dog-dog aggression in the home.