Where do you live? Jasmine is a tropical plant and cannot take cold winters. North of the tropics it is used as a house plant.

See bleow for care instructions

Here is a link that might be useful: Jasmine

I grow Jasminum polyanthum in the ground - with secateurs close to hand because it has thug tendencies in my area. That warning at the bottom of the Floridata link is not idle... Hope you've got one of the more friendly species such as officinale which is said to be hardy-ish in zone 6.

Which part/s 'smell like dog food'? Old or withered leaves can smell a bit odd, I agree. Has your plant died back over the time you've been kept from gardening? If it has, you may need to replace it.