Molly is not that great in new places, especially where many dogs have been. The last time I brought her to a new training class, I had to take her around the room beforehand so she could sniff everything out. Even then, she would get distracted by the smells on the mat throughout the first class. The second class was much better. That was 3 months ago. She is amazing in class... but that's in a familiar setting.

So what do I do if she's entered in a fun match or trial? Can I take her in before it all starts to sniff out the place? My only plan of action right now is to warm her up really well before going into the ring and *hope* that she's much more mature than she was 3 months ago. Smells are the number one distraction for her.. more so than people and dogs.

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I wouldn't let her sniff at all in those situations. When my dog is indoors, he is not allowed to sniff floors (other than at home). If he does, he is corrected.

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Jodie

AJ's Maiden By the Sea CDX RE (Annabel - retired)
Mud E Paws UDX OM2 RE OBHF (Conner - retired with 28 OTCH points)
Sunfire's Flying Head Over Heels UD BN RA (Flip)
And the odd one of the family - Colby Jack Teeter Smack CDX GO RA (Colby - Lhasa Apso)

Thanks. I do correct her for sniffing the floor in class. Hopefully it won't be a huge problem.


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Definitely - no sniff!

One of the rally trials I went to last year, there was a woman with 2 or 3 ridgebacks who took their turns in the ring. Each one of them had the same problem where they walked out into the ring and the nose immediately went to the ground and the ears turned off. Not saying I think this woman encouraged her dogs to sniff the ground when they get out into a new training space, but she likely never taught any of them to turn the nose off when working.

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Always loved, never forgotten, all our previous boys -

Oops....

I guess I have my work cut out for me if I need to teach Bella to not sniff the floor in class! She actually doesn't do it as bad as she used to, and never during an exercise, but I can see how it could be tough in a new place.

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Grasslands Liberty Belle "Bella" CGC (5-7-2012)

Molly does not sniff for the most part but sometimes will try to sniff the floor between exercises if she's bored and I'm not paying attention to her (while watching the trainer). I do correct her whenever I see she's about to get up and sniff. Like I said, she's good in class but I have no idea if she'll keep up the behavior in an unfamiliar place. Wish us luck..


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I'm also in the "no sniffing in a ring, EVER" camp. How can it be allowed sometimes, and not other times? It just isn't allowed. Period.

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Gibson's Golden Girl, CD, CGC, TDI (born 3-20-1997), a.k.a. "Tiny"

CH Rosewood Little Giant, UDX VER RA SH MXP MJP VCX WCX CCA CGC FFX-OG (born 3-10-2007), also UCH HR UUD UJJ URO1 UHIT a.k.a. "Tito" (the Tito Monster)

and my heart dog
Gibson's Golden Guy, CD, CGC, TDI ( 01-31-1998 - 01-02-2012) a.k.a. "Toby", "HRH"

When we have long periods of time between exercise (listening to trainer), I generally let her wander around me, and yes....she sniffs the floor. I don't make her just sit there like most of the others do in class. I try to mitigate potential boredom issues as much as possible. Once it's time to work, I fully expect 100% effort and attention. It's worked out good so far, but we've only trained in one facility.

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Grasslands Liberty Belle "Bella" CGC (5-7-2012)

you might try having her do figure 8's between your legs, or in front of you, or catching treats that you toss to her while she's sitting in front of you, rather than allowing her to sniff.
When she's in the ring, she's on YOUR time, not her time. I really believe it's a bad habit to let her get into.

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Gibson's Golden Girl, CD, CGC, TDI (born 3-20-1997), a.k.a. "Tiny"

CH Rosewood Little Giant, UDX VER RA SH MXP MJP VCX WCX CCA CGC FFX-OG (born 3-10-2007), also UCH HR UUD UJJ URO1 UHIT a.k.a. "Tito" (the Tito Monster)

and my heart dog
Gibson's Golden Guy, CD, CGC, TDI ( 01-31-1998 - 01-02-2012) a.k.a. "Toby", "HRH"

I will try that at class tonight. Thanks.


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Grasslands Liberty Belle "Bella" CGC (5-7-2012)