Bichon Frise Eating Habits

Question
My mother has a bichon 6 yrs old got from puppy mill and mistreated there. just fyi. Anyhow when she goes to eat she sniffs her food for a couple minutes before eating and when sniffing the food she will sniff the floor outside the plate then the food then the floor, almost like she is trying to bury it. she is very healthy and loved and spoiled by my mother who is elderly and spends almost all of her time with her. The dog sleeps in my mothers bed everynight. If mom leaves she sits and stares at the door until she returns. Then whines for minutes in happiness upon her arrival. This is just extra info. The question is about the sniffing when eating.

Answer
This appears to be a superstitious behavior acquired (possibly) when the dog was a neonate in a terrible environment where food might have been at a premium and a subject of competition among puppies.  So long as the dog eats a healthy diet, is not obese and does not display aggression around her food, her sniffing behavior is not a problem to HER so it should not be a problem to YOU.