Want to continue the Nosework fun? Then this class is for you!
This is the third skills level course in our nosework program and will build on the skills acquired in the previous two skills classes. We will search for odor only and work to develop the teamwork necessary for successful trialing - and that involves trusting your dog to lead you to source. We will cover training skills such as:
thresholds and corners,
environmental considerations around airflow and weather conditions,
aged hides,
non-box containers,
how to set up and work through distractions,
how to evaluate search are challenges/approach,
how to effectively search an area,
multiple hides,
inaccessibles,
advanced vehicle searches,
building search stamina,
combo odors,
what to expect when trialing,
assessing trial readiness, and
problem solving individual team skills.
This class is open to any dog who is currently searching for odor only; titles are not required. If you are not currently trialing, don't let the topics discourage you, as they are all easily modified for each dog. Our goal is always to increase the challenge in increments that the dog can handle and successfully overcome!!
Teaching Approach
Each week you will receive several lectures released at the begining of the week. There will be theory based lectures as well as lectures and assignments on the current topic. Initially, searches can be done at home however the learner will be enouraged to also work outside of the home. This class offers extensive written lectures, no verbal lectures, and videos of varying lengths. It is rare that relevant speaking takes place within a video; they are designed to be watched in order to follow the ideas presented in the lecture. Lecture videos may run from 1 to 4 minutes long, with the average between 1-2 minutes. The lectures are designed to help a student understand the purpose of the topic and how its application might vary by dog. Care is taken so that learners who learn by both watching and reading will be successful.
NOTE: This class will offer a Teaching Assistant (TA) who will be available to Silver and Bronze students in the Study Group. FDSA TA’s will answer questions and review videos in the Student Study Group.
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Prerequisites & Supplies
Prerequisites:
NW120 or equivalent level of training (dog is able to search for odor only)
Equipment:
Odor kit with scented q-tip
Appropriate harness/leash dedicated to NW searching
Hide containers (highly recommend different types of containers made out of different materials)
Containers for qtips (straws, chapstick tubes, small sleeves, heat shrink tubing)
Quake Hold or Fun Tak adhesives for placing hides - May be available at a Walmart or Target near you. You can also google the names and find a source.
Or, as an alternative to the smoke matches, you can try an item called a "Cirrus Wind Indicator" found on Amazon
Access to search areas
Syllabus
NEW CONTENT FOR JUNE 2020
Each week, we will have lectures and assignments on the following:
Skill Focus
Reading the Dog
Scent Theory
Skill Focus Areas Include:
Week 1: Multiple Hides and Intro to Converging Odor
Week 2: Intentional Distractions
Week 3: Inaccessible Due to Containment
Week 4: Inaccessible Due to Reach
Week 5: Inaccessible Due to Elevation (high hides)
Week 6: Intro to Blank Areas
Sample Lecture
Introduction to Multiple Hides & More
This week, we are going to start to introduce multiple hides. It's possible that you already are doing these. I think though that working through these steps will highlight critical aspects of successful execution. Eventually, we will need the dog to be able to find extremely closely converged hides in competition. But not yet!
PART 1: INITIAL TRAINING
There are a couple of main concepts that we need the dog to learn.
The Chain of Events
1. Encounter Odor
2. Source Odor
This Chain of Events is critical because if the dog doesn't source odor immediately, we can end up with a dog that does what is called "cataloging"... which means that they encounter odor for multiple hides, however don't start to source odor until they have decided to start to focus. Cataloging is both an odor obedience issue and a focus issue.
Find Another
Find Another is a cue to the dog that once a hide is found, it is out of play. That gives the dog the understanding to not re-find already found hides in preference for hides yet to be found. The dog understands that odor is a good thing, however, refound hides do not pay.
Here's an example of Why working multiple hides at an AKC Scent Work trial. When he reacts to odor, he sources the hide. Then he leaves the hide that he was rewarded for finding and quickly finds the second hide.
To train this....
The most important thing initially is that we want to establish good habits from the beginning. This means that we want to keep the dog from leaving an area to find a new hide once they have responded and started to work the initial hide. We need to be careful not to steer the dog with the leash, however it's ok to use a light restriction to keep the dog from working the second hide. This is called "working in sections". Eventually, you will need to do this to clear the area with unknown number of hides.
It can be helpful to choose a search area with natural sections. You can do this either indoors or out so long as your dog is comfortable working in the area. Let your dog pick which section to start with. Find the hide before moving to the next section. WORK ON LEASH.
After you feed, praise, rotate, and step in a new direction. This will help your dog leave the found hide. Use the cue "Find Another" as you move in the direction of the second section. Search the second section until you've found the second hide.
If you would like to practice saying "Finish", you can add it to after your final hide. Finish in competition stops your clock and you will need practice in using it without fail. It can also become an "all done" cue for the dog which can be helpful.
Here's one of Powder's earlier multiple hide searches. In this case, the search area has two natural sections... each with separate picnic areas.
Testimonials
A sampling of what prior students have said about this course...
I loved my class, not only did I learn a lot about myself and my dog, from my instructor, but learned from the other students also.
Every time I take a nose work class my dog and myself come out ahead. The instructors are awesome, they make you want to work your dog to the best they can. 5 stars from me. Nancy Steinbrecher
The instructor provided prompt, detailed analysis and well reasoned and tailored recommendations for each student. She definitely wanted to see her students succeed in whatever phase of nosework they were doing - so she provided very helpful suggestions for preparing for various upcoming trials.
I was only Bronze, but did all the exercises and followed all discussions and homework. I gained lots of helpful tips and information, definitely got my money's worth!
This was a perfect advanced course. I got a lot out of it, and really enjoyed all the discussion topics and the homework videos.
Your classes are great because my schedule is constantly changing and I can practice on my time. Your videos make everything crystal clear and so easy. My dog passed his ORT first try in 13 sec. Thank you. Carol C.
Excellent lectures that provided us with helpful guidance and insightful ideas. Great course! Cheryl M.
Registration
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