Mom Scentimentals

This isn’t just a sensory activity. It’s a way to learn how your dog reads you. To see yourself through their eyes and give them a little piece of you they can hold onto.

PART 1

Gather three scent items that each represent a different version of you. For example:

  1. Comfy You - A soft T-shirt you always wear at home.
  2. Stressed You - Something you wore on a tough day.
  3. Joyful You - An accessory from a favorite memory (like a trip or event).

Label each item with a little emotion tag:

  • “This is who I am when I’m tired but still show up.”
  • “This is who I am when I feel most like me.”
  • “This is who I am when the world feels light.”

Lay them out for your pup and let them sniff, one by one. Take your time. Watch closely. Which one do they linger on? Paw at? Sit beside?

PART 2

Take the item they were most drawn to, and turn it into a shared comfort object:

  • Cut a small piece of it and tie it to your dog’s collar or favorite toy.
  • Or wrap it around a ball, stuff it inside a soft toy, or place it in a keepsake pouch they can cuddle with.
  • (You can even put it in their bed with a few drops of calming dog-safe scent.)

Give it a name. Something silly or sweet — like “Mom’s Magic Sock” or “Heart String.” This becomes their emotional anchor, a way to carry you with them on hard days, or when you're apart.