Scatter: The Simple Technique That Helps Your Dog Feel Safe
- Nicole Kohanski
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
If you've ever seen your dog suddenly perk up, bark, or freeze when a person or dog appears nearby, you’re not alone. Many dogs react to triggers in their environment because they feel anxious, uncertain, or overly excited. One of the simplest, most effective tools to help dogs shift their emotional state and reconnect with their environment is called Scatter.
What Is Scatter?
Scatter is a calming technique where you toss or sprinkle a small handful of treats or kibble onto the ground. That’s it! Behind this simple act is a wealth of behavior science. When we scatter food, we engage a dog’s natural foraging instinct—encouraging them to lower their head, sniff, and search. These actions are not just physically calming, they help your dog reorient, self-soothe, and disengage from stress.
It's very easy to do this. Say "scatter!" then spread the treats! That's it.
Why Scatter Works
Scatter uses several key principles of dog behavior:
Sniffing is self-regulating: The act of sniffing is neurologically calming. Studies show that sniffing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, the “rest and digest” state.
Lowering the head is a calming posture: Dogs that are frightened or on alert often hold their heads high and stiff. Encouraging your dog to lower their head can shift their entire emotional state.
Choice and agency: Scatter gives your dog something to do—and more importantly, a choice. Instead of being forced to “sit” or “leave it,” your dog gets to engage in a natural behavior, which builds confidence and reduces stress.
When to Use Scatter
Scatter can be helpful in a variety of situations, including:
When your dog notices a trigger (person, dog, bike) and begins to tense up
In the yard or on a walk to redirect focus or defuse arousal
To enrich your dog’s environment indoors on rainy days
When you need to help a dog decompress after an exciting event
As part of cooperative care or grooming sessions
How to Scatter
Use soft, high-value treats: Something that smells great and breaks into small pieces—like training treats, cheese, or kibble.
Sprinkle a small handful on the ground in front of your dog. Spread it wide enough that your dog needs to sniff and search.
Let your dog engage fully in the activity. Don’t rush or try to use cues or commands while they are serarching.
Repeat as needed, especially if you notice your dog starting to re-escalate.
A Few Tips
Scatter is not a bribe—you’re not trying to distract your dog from the trigger, but to give them a chance to recover and re-regulate.
If your dog is too stressed to eat, increase distance from the trigger before offering a scatter.
Use scatter proactively: if you see a trigger coming and know your dog struggles, get some distance from the trigger then scatter before they react.
10 Ways to Use Scatter
Before leash walks to channel pre-walk excitement into focused sniffing.
During leash reactivity training to keep your dog under threshold and focused on the ground.
As a transition tool when entering or leaving overstimulating environments (e.g., parking lots, vet offices).
In crate training to build positive associations with going into and spending time in the crate.
To redirect after (or before!) barking at windows, doors, or sounds.
To defuse excitement when guests arrive or after play gets too rowdy.
To help calm a dog returning home from the vet or groomer.
To encourage independence for dogs that follow you closely or have difficulty standing away from you.
Before or during car rides to help settle anxious travelers.
As mental enrichment in puzzle form—scatter in snuffle mats, shallow boxes, or grass for longer sniffing sessions.