Sniffy Dogs

I took some pics while working the girls this morning. Hides are either birch or anise or both. I did pair them with food because I was taking photos. Hides are indicated in red. I think it's so much fun to see how the dogs work their noses. They're getting really good!

Odor recognition test is in May!

Search Area:

DSC_1260 by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr

We've been working some hides that are higher than they are.

DSC_1307 by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr

Summer has figured out her method of indicating them

DSC_1308 by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr

Flail! It's HERE! HERE!

DSC_1309 by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr

Mia working the same one.

DSC_1271 by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr

Really pleased with their progress.

DSC_1274 by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr

You can always tell when they catch the odor.

DSC_1276 by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr

Found ya!

DSC_1279 by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr

Summer want a turn.

DSC_1284 by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr

Super Srs.

DSC_1299 by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr

more

DSC_1291 by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr

Good girl!

DSC_1294 by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr

I thought this one would be hard since it was so high.

DSC_1314 by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr

But they both zeroed in on it first!

DSC_1318 by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr

Good girl.

DSC_1323 by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr

Summer too!

DSC_1347 by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr

Trash can hide.

DSC_1362 by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr

DSC_1363 by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr

DSC_1367 by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr

DSC_1368 by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr

This one was interesting. Mia cast out really far. Then worked her way back in.

DSC_1373 by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr

DSC_1374 by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr

Got it.

DSC_1377 by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr

Summer worked it the same way. Must've been the wind carrying the odor.

DSC_1392 by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr

DSC_1394 by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr

Got it.

DSC_1397 by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr

Mia waiting her turn

DSC_1399 by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr

Sniffy Dogs!

DSC_1384 by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr

DSC_1312 by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr

DSC_1410 by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr

Done!

That looks like so much fun! How do you go about teaching nosework? Can you do it on your own?

Oh yeah it would be super easy to do on your own! I also know there's online classes at denise fenzi academy for it too.

There's a few ways to teach it but generally you're just teaching them what to search for and building their drive to search. Particularly can be hard if you have a dog that is very used to obedience/agility/etc where they're keyed in to you all the time.

What we did was started with food in boxes and then switched that to food indoors on objects, and food outdoors, and food on vehicles. We probably did about 6 weeks before brining out the odor to make sure they knew the game was to find things. Then we started over on 'easy' with the boxes and paired food and odor together then worked up. We keep the search areas small and only do a couple hides at the early levels but now I'm hiding 6 or so at a time over a larger area.

We just introduced the second odor a couple weeks ago and it's gone super fast. Now we're also adding in empty hides and also searches with no odor at all.

It's a great mental workout!

Totally will have to see if Abrams enjoys it. That might even be something Cynder could get enthusiastic about!

They look like they're having a great time! Nosework is something I keep saying I'm going to do, and then don't! You need to post more pictures so I actually start on it!

These photos confirm that I love Summer!

In my experience it's a fun thing for almost any dog though it does take some *coughSummercough* longer to figure out the point of it all.

You should totally try it! Easiest mental workout for the dogs ever.

Awesome shots! I love seeing your girls work.

Also gives me more motivation to get off my bum and do it with Recon more. He loves it so much, but we haven't been in a class since he was... 6 mos old? I still throw around hides for him from time to time and I know he has the itch. As if I need something else to occupy our time. XD

We practice in a group session probably 1-3 times a month. Just depends on how many people are trialling in agility. I started advanced class with Mia mostly to get her out and working since she can't do agility anymore. She is such a good worker! So focused on her task.

I'm very glad we started this sport.