Nosework Thread

[MikaTallulah]

I am thinking of doing this with Buddy in the new year.

[tania]

Hi guys

just found this video online and thought about posting it here. Scent with active indication.

Mind Games for Dogs: Shell Scent Game - YouTube

Mind Games for Dogs: Shell Scent Game - YouTube

cheers!

[goldy1]

Originally Posted by tania

Hi guys

just found this video online and thought about posting it here. Scent with active indication.

Thanks for posting this. Great step-by-step instruction.

[jackie_hubert]

So fun!

I got myself in hot water teaching this command because when you trial your dog can get DQ'd for marking up boxes. 2 dogs were DQ'd because they marked up the boxes, making them unusable for the next dogs. I've been working hard to unteach the "dig" indicator but at trial he still defaults to it because it's the first thing I taught. I'm just careful to call alert before he gets the chance.

[Pixie]

I am starting to do some nosework with Pixie at home. But honestly I dont really know what I am doing...
Now we are starting easy, with food and she see where I hide it (even though I use my body to cover it, so she only get an idea of the area. I am also puting some false leads, meaning that I go to a place and do not put anything there).

For now I just want her to use her nose. She finds the food and eats it. Gonna give a couple of rounds of that (only did it twice or so) and then try to introduce a warning signal that she found it.

Having fun!

[Tayla's Mom]

I've been told not to introduce an alert signal, but to watch your dog carefully when they do make a find. Watch their body language. My instructor (certified) said that if you teach an alert signal if the dog gets frustrated and just can't find something they will alert just to get the reward.

[jackie_hubert]

Originally Posted by Pixie

I am starting to do some nosework with Pixie at home. But honestly I dont really know what I am doing...
Now we are starting easy, with food and she see where I hide it (even though I use my body to cover it, so she only get an idea of the area. I am also puting some false leads, meaning that I go to a place and do not put anything there).

For now I just want her to use her nose. She finds the food and eats it. Gonna give a couple of rounds of that (only did it twice or so) and then try to introduce a warning signal that she found it.

Having fun!

Looking for hidden food is a great place to start. In fact, you can just leave it at that for weeks. Start hiding it in easy places without her seeing.

If you look at the cat video I posted this is the first step after looking for hidden food and people generally do that for weeks as well. Slowly adding boxes.

[jackie_hubert]

Originally Posted by Tayla's Mom

I've been told not to introduce an alert signal, but to watch your dog carefully when they do make a find. Watch their body language. My instructor (certified) said that if you teach an alert signal if the dog gets frustrated and just can't find something they will alert just to get the reward.

Even in my advanced Noswork classes where we have already trialed you don't use an alert. Very important to make this a "hunting" exercise, not obedience.

[tania]

Originally Posted by jackie_hubert

Good job Pira! Does she tend to LOOK for the object or smell for it? When we first started Cosmo was really dependent on his eyes.

She starts running like crazy first, just looking around. She would try places she already found things in the past. When she does not find anything for a while (around.. 30 seconds -1 minute) she would actively sniff. The transition is pretty clear: we can hear her sniffing. It is pretty loud! When she starts sniffing, when in doubt she points her nose up to the air.. it is pretty funny to watch! Love it!!!

I will video tape her another day..

But thanks guys for the tips: not having a warning sign, etc. I also want to enroll in a class some time soon.

[goldy1]

Originally Posted by jackie_hubert

So fun!

I got myself in hot water teaching this command because when you trial your dog can get DQ'd for marking up boxes. 2 dogs were DQ'd because they marked up the boxes, making them unusable for the next dogs. I've been working hard to unteach the "dig" indicator but at trial he still defaults to it because it's the first thing I taught. I'm just careful to call alert before he gets the chance.

I might be in trouble already . Doing it on my own a couple years back I used boxes and Chance would paw at the box quite vigorously. Also some of his toys (like the Dog Brick) make the dog paw at the slot with the hidden treat. But I'm not planning to compete so it probably doesn't matter. I am glad to know what the correct way is because it's true how they default to these early-learned behaviors.