How to Train Your Dog to Alert You for Low Blood Sugar

If you’ve ever had a low sneak up on you, you know how scary that can be. What if your dog could help warn you before it hits? The truth is, they probably can.

Dogs have an incredible sense of smell. In fact, they can detect changes in your body chemistry long before you’re even aware something’s wrong. That includes the subtle shifts that happen when your blood sugar drops. This is why medical scent detection dogs are trained to alert their owners to highs or lows. But you don’t need to hire a service dog trainer or spend thousands of dollars. You can start this training at home with something as simple as a cotton ball and your own saliva.

Here’s how to get started.

Step 1: Collect a Scent Sample During a Hypo

The next time you’re having a low, place a clean cotton ball in your mouth for 20 to 30 seconds. What you’re doing is soaking it in saliva that contains the unique chemical signals released during hypoglycemia. These signals are what your dog will eventually learn to recognize.

Step 2: Label and Freeze the Sample

After removing the cotton ball, seal it in a small zip-top bag or airtight container. Write the date and label it clearly as “Low BG” or “Hypo Sample.” Then place it in your freezer. This might sound strange, but freezing the sample actually preserves the scent. It’s a common practice in professional scent training and it works. You can reuse the frozen sample multiple times, as long as it doesn’t get contaminated or start to break down.

Step 3: Introduce the Scent to Your Dog

Let your dog sniff the hypo cotton ball in a calm, distraction-free space. Keep it short and positive. After each sniff, immediately reward them with a high-value treat and praise. Say something like “Yes! Good alert!” to start creating a strong association. Do this a few times per session, and repeat it a couple of times a week.

Step 4: Teach an Alert Behavior

Once your dog starts showing interest in the scent, you can teach them how to respond to it. Choose a simple alert behavior that makes sense for your lifestyle. Some people teach their dog to paw at their leg. Others prefer a bark, a nose nudge, or a sit-and-stare. After your dog sniffs the cotton ball, guide them into the alert behavior and reward them immediately. Keep repeating this sequence: smell the scent, do the alert, get a treat. With consistency, your dog will learn that smelling that scent means they should take action.

Step 5: Practice and Reinforce

As with any training, consistency is key. Practice regularly and start mixing in "normal" saliva samples that were not collected during a hypo. This teaches your dog to recognize the difference and avoid false alerts. Over time, your dog may even begin to notice the scent changes in real-time, without needing the cotton ball.

This kind of training takes time and patience, but the payoff is massive. Imagine your dog waking you up during the night or alerting you before you even realize you’re trending low. Whether or not you plan to pursue full service dog certification, this is a powerful tool that could make a big difference in your daily safety and peace of mind.

Chat soon!

Shawn