SNIFF TO SOOTHE: Rewiring Neurobehavioral Patterns of Aggression, Anxiety, and Reactivity Through Structured Scent Work by Will Bangura, M.S., CAB-ICB, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, FDM, FFCP
A Groundbreaking Guide to Calming Dogs Through the Science of Scent
“Will Bangura has nailed the WHY and the HOW of using scent exercises to help fearful and/or reactive dogs. His impressive book, Sniff to Soothe, belongs in the office of every trainer and behaviorist who works with ‘problem’ dogs, and in the home of every dog lover whose dog needs help. Don’t miss this book about the importance of letting dogs use their noses to heal themselves—it’s going to be a classic, and it’s going to help thousands of dogs and the people who love them.”
~ Patricia McConnell, PhD, Emeritus CAAB
World-Renowned Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist
Author of The Other End of the Leash
Not all behavior problems are obedience problems, and not all solutions come from commands. Sniff to Soothe reframes scent work as an evidence-based, therapeutic intervention for dogs with anxiety, aggression, trauma, reactivity, and fear-based behaviors. Written by internationally accredited Canine Behaviorist Will Bangura, M.S., CAB-ICB, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, FDM, FFCP, this book transforms nose work from enrichment into a clinical practice for emotional recovery and behavioral change.
Whether you’re a certified dog behavior consultant, veterinary behaviorist, trainer, or dedicated pet parent, this guide offers practical, science-backed protocols rooted in canine neurobiology.
Inside you’ll learn:
• How structured scent work rewires neurobehavioral patterns, activates the parasympathetic nervous system, and fosters emotional regulation.
• How sniffing boosts cognition, reduces cortisol, and builds optimism in anxious or reactive dogs.
• Why sniffing is self-soothing, not indulgence.
• Step-by-step behavior protocols for aggression, reactivity, hyperarousal, separation anxiety, overattachment, and shutdowns.
• Plans for novice through advanced levels: box games, elevated hides, room searches, and outdoor or public-space integration.
• Modifications for dogs with bite histories, trauma, cognitive decline, mobility or sensory challenges, and multi-dog households.
• How to implement daily scent-based rituals to reduce stress and prevent escalation.
Over 400 pages of case studies, forms, and success tracking systems provide structure and clarity for long-term progress. Each chapter blends neuroscience with practical training, citing research from Duranton & Horowitz, Fountain et al. (2025), Mellor et al. (2024), Siniscalchi, and others.
This is not about obedience—it’s about healing. Structured scent work helps dogs self-regulate through their most powerful sense, creating resilience, impulse control, and emotional neutrality even around triggers.
Backed by neuroscience. Trusted by professionals worldwide.
What makes Sniff to Soothe unique:
• Authored by one of the most credentialed dog behaviorists in the U.S.
• Grounded in neuroscience, behavior science, and real clinical data.
• Informed by 35+ years of work with severe aggression, trauma, and anxiety.
• Endorsed by leading veterinary and behavior professionals.
• A must-have manual for anyone addressing complex canine behavior.
If obedience training, counterconditioning, or medication alone haven’t brought change, Sniff to Soothe may be the missing piece.
Transform stress into calm—one sniff at a time. Sometimes, the most effective intervention isn’t control; it’s letting the dog lead with their nose.
SNIFF TO SOOTHE: Rewiring Neurobehavioral Patterns of Aggression, Anxiety, and Reactivity Through Structured Scent Work by Will Bangura, M.S., CAB-ICB, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, FDM, FFCP
Foreword by Emma Parsons -SNIFF TO SOOTHE: SNIFF TO SOOTHE: Rewiring Neurobehavioral Patterns of Aggression, Anxiety, and Reactivity Through Structured Scent Work
Buy the Book SNIFF TO SOOTHE on Amazon
“From the moment I read the title of this book, Sniff to Soothe, I knew it was going to be revolutionary. It immediately struck me as one of those rare ideas that feels both brilliantly simple and profoundly transformative. The central insight of this book—that sniffing is not frivolous but fundamental—carries enormous implications. For dogs struggling with anxiety, reactivity, or over-arousal, sniffing provides a natural pathway to calm.”
~ Emma M. Parsons, BA, KPA-CPT, CBDC
Author of: Click to Calm: Healing the Aggressive Dog