Blogs
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Building Duration at Source with a Take-Out Marker
One of the most common Nosework questions I get from students is how to build more duration at source. Stronger duration and intensity make it much clearer when your dog has truly found the hide. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by using markers...
Clarity with Nosework Handling
It's my opinion that our goal for handling is that we establish a communication system that creates clarity for the dog. The question isn't whether we influence our dogs – we do, whether we realize it or not – but whether our handling fosters the outcomes we want. ~...
ORT Prep and Test with a New Dog!
Starting a new dog in any sport is always a bit nerve-wracking! Katniss is just a year old, and aside from a few AKC Scent Work searches at a local trial, this felt like her first real test. We made the 1.5-hour drive to a fairground for a half-day of running three...
Thinking Outside The Box
Thinking outside the box is so important in dog training. A few years ago I started doing box acclimation drills for my Into to NW classes. The container search element often has the lowest pass rate - not because dogs can’t find odor in a container, but because we...
Using Location Specific Markers for Nosework
In all aspects of life, our behavior is driven by consequences. When we do something that results in something negative - touching a hot plate - we will avoid doing that in the future. When a behavior results in something positive - a dog catching a mouse - that...
NW Hide Highlight #6 – Supporting dog in corner
This is the sixth in my series of Hide Highlights. Some hides are just SO cool to watch being solved that it deserves a highlight! In this highlight I'm focusing on how our handling can support a dog while searching in a corner. In these video clips, there was a hide...
NW Hide Highlight #5 – Vehicle Search
This is the fifth in my series of Hide Highlights. Some hides are just SO cool to watch being solved that it deserves a highlight! I have opinions about searching Vehicles! It is so easy to get stuck on an unproductive vehicle due to blowing odor or just how cars...
NW Hide Highlight #4 – Crack Hides
This is the fourth in my series of Hide Highlights. Some hides are just SO cool to watch being solved that it deserves a highlight! We all love a good crack hide! We see them more and more in trials. It's also a skill I teach earlier in my program. Our dogs are...
NW Hide Highlight #3 – Airscenting
This is the third in my series of Hide Highlights. Some hides are just SO cool to watch being solved that it deserves a highlight! I was able to use this splash park as it was closed down for repairs. It's a big open area without a lot of surface for odor to catch...
NW Hide Highlight #2 – Competing Close Hides
This is the second in my series of Hide Highlights. Some hides are just SO cool to watch being solved that it deserves a highlight! This search was in a classroom. Air conditioning was running and it was quite cool inside. Having used this area before, I know the...
