Unlock your dogs super power! Your dog was designed to sniff. They perceive the whole world through their sense of smell. We will be using their special gift to turn them into scent detection dogs.
Why would you teach this?
Scent work is an awesome way to meet your dog's needs. As I said sniffing is a fundamental part of what a dog is. It is both physically and mentally tiring for them. A dog whose needs are well met is likely to be a happier more fulfilled dog. Happy, fulfilled dogs are far less likely to have behaviour issues like barking, jumping, lunging, digging, or any hyperactive behaviour. In working type dogs you will be giving them the job that's so often missing from their lives, causing so many problems as they go self employed.
It is great for building confidence in nervous dogs. Having the confidence to work independently from their human, exploring the environment to gain a great reward builds courage and resilience in dogs.
Scent work is a team sport. Although the dog takes the lead. Working with your dog to see what they can achieve is great fun and their abilities will amaze you.
Who's it for?
Any dog can do scent work. Great as a job for the working dogs or to build confidence in nervous dogs. All dogs are welcome young or old including reactive dogs (please let me know if your dog has any issues with people or other dogs.) The group is small and the arena has plenty of space. Dogs will be searching individually on lead.
What you will learn?
A bit about how scent behaves and how the dog nose works.
A passive indication- where the dog freezes with their nose over the target odour
We will be starting out searching for food to build motivation before moving on to search for red Kong as the target odour.
The search area will grow progressively larger and more difficult and your dog will be searching a variety of different objects building up to blind searches where you won't know where the target odour is hidden.
Your dog does not need to have any previous training although a sit and wait is useful. A sustained hand touch, where the dog keeps their nose pressed to your hand, can also be useful when teaching the indication but it is not necessary.
We will be rewarding with whatever brightens your dog's lights usually with a toy or food.
Price includes a starter scent work kit which includes tins, tubes, tweezers and Kong pieces to get you started.
IMPORTANT:
Please drive with extreme caution. There may be horses being lead or ridden in the yard.
All dogs must be kept on lead when outside the arena in the steading.
Please clean up after your dog.
There riding lessons or classes on beforehand so please keep your dog in the car and don't enter the arena until I give you a shout.
The riding school has a sandy surface so walking boots or sturdy trainers would be advised as it is dusty. While the riding school is completely covered, enclosed and secure, the sides are partially open so it might be cold in the winter so dress appropriately.
YOU WILL NEED:
A DOG ON A FLAT COLLAR OR HARNESS AND A LEAD
A 6ft flat lead or training lead is best. Absolutely no choke chains, half chokes or an extendable lead. If you use a harness for walking it is a good idea to have a different harness for scent work. This is their 'working' harness and becomes part of the cue that they are now going to be sniffing.
HIGH VALUE REWARDS
Whatever brightens your dog's lights, be it toy or high value food such as sausage, meat balls, cheese, hot dogs, chicken or other meats. Some dogs even love to work for fruit and veg such as apples, carrots or cabbage.
TIP: those little bags of 'training treats' you can buy usually are not that exciting for dogs.
Remember this is hard work we want to pay the dog well.
TREAT POUCH
if you have one but you can get by without one. Treats should be easily accessible without too much fumbling so that delivery can be speedy. Loose in a pocket will work better than putting them in a plastic bag.
I have a few treat pouches and leads in stock. If you would like to buy one let me know. You will find them at the top of my FB page https://www.facebook.com/adogslifecoaching/posts/628143597903168
TOYS:
Your dog's favourite. Keep this as their special scent work toy that they only get when they're working. Don't leave it lying around for them to help themselves to. Scarcity will make the toy more valuable.
Tug-e-Nuff do some cracking toys that are ideal for training and if you use the code ADOGSLIFECOACHING at check out you'll get 10% discount
https://www.tug-e-nuff.co.uk/?ref=adogslifecoaching
RED KONG
I will provide you with pieces of red Kong in your scent kit but I recommend you feed your dog once a day from a red Kong. This builds that positive association to the odour of the Kong. You can also put a rope through it to use it as a toy reward, further building the positive emotional response to the odour.
IT MUST BE RED KONG do not substitute colour or brand or shape as it will have a different composition and odour
https://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/dogs/dog_toys_dog_training/kongs/kong/139212?origin=hopps&q=kong&i=1&ro=20&activeVariant=139212.2
DOG BED OR MAT
to give the dog somewhere to chill between searches.
WATER DISH & WATER
searching is thirsty work. The dog needs to be well hydrated for their nose to work properly.
You may also want to bring a deck chair or similar for your own comfort.
A picnic blanket or rug may also be useful.
The riding school has a sandy surface so walking boots or sturdy trainers would be advised as it is dusty. The riding school is completely enclosed and secure but the sides are partially open so it might be cold in the winter so dress appropriately.
I would prefer you enter the arena to set up your gear first before bringing your dog out of the car if possible. This allows for a calmer set up to class and also gives us a chance to have a quick chat without distracted dogs. It also means you can give your dog your full attention as you bring them in.
| Cost | ||
|---|---|---|
1 Dog + handler Inc scent kit
Please note that there are no refunds for the course if cancelled within 7days of the start of the course. There will be a 50% refund for cancellation within 14 days of the start of the course.
Course ticket - for all 6 dates.
|
£70.00 | |
1 Dog + handler NO scent kit
Please note that there are no refunds for the course if cancelled within 7days of the start of the course. There will be a 50% refund for cancellation within 14 days of the start of the course.
Course ticket - for all 6 dates.
|
£65.00 |
Whiteleys
Stranraer
DG9 8LY
Follow signs for the the riding centre. When you turn into the yard you will pass through a parking area. The riding arena is the big grey shed facing you. Drive past it and park in the big car park to the right of the arena.
Please drive with extreme caution there may be horses in the yard.
Dogs must be kept on lead at all times outside the arena.
Amenities
