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Senior Manager of Animal Care, Georgie Caspar, explains: “Encouraging dogs to explore the natural environment isn’t always easy to achieve in an urban shelter setting. Our new sensory garden provides an invaluable space for our dogs to engage with their surroundings, navigate the complex shelter environment, and meet some of their emotional needs.”
“By giving them a chance to interact with different canine-friendly plants, we’re creating a unique and enriching space for the dogs and puppies in our care.”
This means that dogs who are given opportunities for scent exploration are more likely to benefit from an increased emotional capacity. This is key in helping them cope with any overwhelming emotions, such as anxiety or overstimulation, that they may encounter in a busy shelter environment.
Caspar adds: “We understand that shelter life can be overwhelming for many dogs. That’s why it’s important that our garden offers our dogs an opportunity to relax, explore, and express their natural behaviours. We allow them to engage with the garden at their own pace, as providing choice is an important part of the experience.
The dog dictates the speed, direction, and route of their recreational sensory walks, giving them a chance to feel a sense of control and building their confidence with the environment, their carers, and themselves.”
The sensory garden offers a space where dogs can engage with a variety of natural elements, including different textures underfoot, the colours and smells of various plants, and the opportunity to engage with each other’s scents in a controlled and safe environment.
“We are excited about the impact our in-shelter garden will have on the psychological and cognitive health of our dogs. But while gardens like ours are purpose-built for our shelter, we also encourage pet carers to consider ways to optimise their own environments with scent-based options to give their dogs the same opportunities,” said Caspar.
Creating an exciting dog-friendly garden is easier than you think!
The sensory garden offers a space where dogs can engage with a variety of natural elements, including different textures underfoot, the colours and smells of various plants, and the opportunity to engage with each other’s scents in a controlled and safe environment.
“We are excited about the impact our in-shelter garden will have on the psychological and cognitive health of our dogs. But while gardens like ours are purpose-built for our shelter, we also encourage pet carers to consider ways to optimise their own environments with scent-based options to give their dogs the same opportunities,” said Caspar.
Creating an exciting dog-friendly garden is easier than you think!
Fragrant and non-toxic additions like peppermint, wheatgrass, rosemary, chamomile, and thyme can all contribute to a rich and varied smell-scape, while pet-friendly flowers, decorative objects, and interesting textures underfoot can engage your pup’s other important senses.
Crepe myrtle, princess lilies, as well as rocks, logs, and footpaths made of materials like mulch or sand can excite your pup’s eyes and give them some variety when exploring.
Be sure to also pay close attention to the sounds your dog will encounter in your garden, doing your best to ensure that it is calm and free of distractions like noisy machinery.
For more information regarding our shelter or providing enrichment for our furry friends, please visit www.rspcansw.org.au
References:
Rooney, N.J. and Parr-Cortes, Z., 2023. Olfaction and Dog Welfare. In Olfactory Research in Dogs (pp. 205-234). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
Fountain, J., Fernandez, E.J., McWhorter, T.J. and Hazel, S.J., 2024. The Value of Sniffing: A Scoping Review of Scent Activities for Canines. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, p.106485.
Duranton, C. and Horowitz, A., 2019. Let me sniff! Nosework induces positive judgment bias in pet dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 211 (pp.61-66).
Be sure to also pay close attention to the sounds your dog will encounter in your garden, doing your best to ensure that it is calm and free of distractions like noisy machinery.
For more information regarding our shelter or providing enrichment for our furry friends, please visit www.rspcansw.org.au
References:
Rooney, N.J. and Parr-Cortes, Z., 2023. Olfaction and Dog Welfare. In Olfactory Research in Dogs (pp. 205-234). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
Fountain, J., Fernandez, E.J., McWhorter, T.J. and Hazel, S.J., 2024. The Value of Sniffing: A Scoping Review of Scent Activities for Canines. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, p.106485.
Duranton, C. and Horowitz, A., 2019. Let me sniff! Nosework induces positive judgment bias in pet dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 211 (pp.61-66).
To see more photos of RSPCA Animal Sensory Garden & Walking Trail (Yagoona), visit:
MEDIA RELEASE, 29th April 2025
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