Vomeronasal System

What do I mean by this term? Your friend can discern one chemical part in a million! Humans have around 5 million scent receptors; dogs have between 125 million (Dachshund) to 300 million (Bloodhound); and that’s just the beginning! Your pet has a vomeronasal system that is amazing! What does that mean?

Have you ever noticed that your friend licks his nose sometimes? Well the reason is that they have a very special scent gathering system. It starts with the fact that they breathe in through the frontal openings in their nose where a small part of the “air” goes directly to the olfactory lobe, then they exhale through the slits you see on the side to create turbulence, further gathering scent molecules. Now the “magic” begins:

Your pet has what is called a Jacobson’s Organ. The Jacobson’s Organ is a pair of fluid filled organs on either side of the roof of the mouth that takes scent molecules to the brain immediately; that’s what the lick is about! The wet nose gathers the scent molecules which, by that lick (the strait up and down lick), are brought to the brain immediately! It gives directional information; if there is more of the scent on the right side, the “item” is on the right! It also gives them identification and distance but, there’s more!

It gives past, present and future (think; why is it that dogs know when you’re about to be home? Your scent wears off while you are away … [follow this link for more info] TIME)

Why do we use live snakes and scent stations from our cages? Your dog uses his/her vomeronasal system to tell time, direction and identification but, they also know the difference between a live and dead animal!

If you think a minute, you will notice that when you smell certain things, it gives you instant memories; multiply that times … well, a lot! Yes, that’s your pet!

Why does he/she like to stick their nose out of the car and in the wind while you’re driving? Hmmmm … dating!

This is why we tap into the vomeronasal system by using several scent stations get the best results possible and avoid the spatial learning tendencies of dogs!