Why A Golden Retriever’s Keen Sense Of Smell Can Cause Them To Have Behavioral Problems

The Golden Retrievers keen sense of smell may be involved in more problems than we realize. The odor of their owners is extremely important to most dogs when they cannot identify them by sight or the sound of their voices. Most dogs, even puppies, seem to strive for a whiff of the breath of people when greeting them, which can account for much of the jumping up that occurs.

Other problems that may have olfactory origins appear to be tied to discrimination difficulties. There have been several cases in which the dog, male or female, has begun to avoid or growl at familiar young girls during their first menstrual cycle. These dogs have responded well when the parents and youngsters “talked jolly,” bounced a ball for playtime, etc.

For example, the residual odor of a certain perfumed soap caused one young male dog persistently to mount a family’s 2-year-old child. When the soap was changed, the mounting ceased. Because of olfactory sensitivities, I use only unscented laundry and bath soaps, and refrain from other perfumed lotions or hair sprays to avoid the possibility of “smelling like” my clients.