Nosework Thread

[jackie_hubert]

The scratch/dig indicator IS used in tracking, so you can always go that way if your dog is a box shredder, lol.

[tania]

How about a bow as an alert signal?

I don't know the rules for competing, but I really liked this video.. but again, as the earlier post said, the dog can grow frustrated if can't find whatever s/he is searching and try behaviors to get the reward.. mm..

1. Training Anaphylactic Allergy Alert Dog part 1 (Pairing the scent to the alert behavior) also MCS - YouTube

1. Training Anaphylactic Allergy Alert Dog part 1 (Pairing the scent to the alert behavior) also MCS - YouTube

[Pixie]

Yesterday I started to aske her to sit and stay in one room while I hid it in another room! It was clearly more difficult to her (even though I put it some some very visible places and the sames as the previous times!). If she wouldn't find it at all she would go sit in her bed as to say "I am a good girl, now show me the treat :p" and then I pointed her in the right direction to encourage her a bit).

All in all I think she is doing well

Thank you for this post

[Pixie]

I am sorry... but I am not sure if I understood this!

Do you mean that the dog should not learn a way to let you know he found something, but instead you should be the one to notice it yourself because of the chage in its natural body language?

Just to be clear...

[Tayla's Mom]

Originally Posted by Pixie

I am sorry... but I am not sure if I understood this!

Do you mean that the dog should not learn a way to let you know he found something, but instead you should be the one to notice it yourself because of the chage in its natural body language?

Just to be clear...

For Nose Work that is what I understand. As you work your dog you will notice body language that will tell you when he indicates a find. Our instructor said it's helpful to videotape searches and watch them after to look at your dog's body language through out and see what his indications are naturally and not to teach a specific alert. Some places may teach differently, but my instructor is a certifed Nose Work instructor through K9 Nose Work foundation and that is what they teach.

[AmbikaGR]

I started doing Nose Work classes with my Lucy back in Sept. At 12 years young she was LOVING it!! Unfortunately out training building roof was damaged by Sandy and we will not be able to restart classes till after the 1st of the year.
As to the indicating. It is fine for your dog to indicate in whatever way you want where the source of the scent is. However you as the handler must indicate EXACTLY where it is located not just an area. So if your dog was to sit or bow you might not know the exact location - being off a couple of inches can mean pass or fail. That is the reason that the dog is taught to keep it's nose right ON the source by feeding it right on the source when it indicates it found it. Hope that is clearer than it now appears to me.

[Pixie]

Thank you both for your answer. My question was born of ignorancy (since I am discovering nose work a lot in this thread).

Sorry to hear that you (as so many other people) were affected by Sandy! Hope things will be up and runing in no time

[tania]

Thanks guys! That's very helpful! I am planing on starting nose classes next quarter. I know she loves it, so it should be fun. : o )

Oh no... Sandy...!!

[Tayla's Mom]

I can't wait to get back to class. We practice on our own and have finished Levels 1 and 2, but our trainer has not had enough people sign up for 3 for the past two sessions so January 5 is our next chance. I don't know if she will have enough to fill it or not, but if we can't get in to that class my chances of competing in our first Florida trial in March are shot. At this point I don't even know if they will have an ORT before that trial. It will have been 4 months by then and that's a long time in a puppy's life. I am going to start tracking with her next month. Just fun stuff with us and a couple short tracks. Nothing complicated.

[daisydogmom]

I am so glad someone finally started a Nosework thread!!! My 10-year-old Daisy girl and I have been taking NW classes here in MA for about 2 1/2 years. We love it! However, we can't seem to earn a NW1 title yet- we have competed in 4 trials so far, LOL!

Daisy is an extremely reactive dog, so the whole process has been quite a challenge. In addition, she seems to have a tough time sticking to source, and her alert is EXTREMELY subtle (touches nose, then looks back at me). Every so often, when Daisy's feeling bold, she will attempt to dig or paw at source. I am so worried that she might scratch one of the vehicles! I really need to work on reading her body language better, especially when she is in new environments.

I love the sport and all the people involved!!! I look forward to hearing about everyone's training experiences!