Review of Important Concepts

What a fabulous job you all have done with your homework!  The leaps and bounds of progress your dogs are making is amazing! 

The take home messages of this week are to have a very clear goal in mind for each hide you place, and ALWAYS have a Plan B in case things don't go as planned.

  • Remember not to move the hide.  Use things in the environment to help the search.

  • As more possibilities present themselves to you, stay focused on the dog's persistence
    in searching.

  • Make sure your dog is still enjoying the game.  There's no harm in going back to "the shell
    game" if it keeps your dog grinning.

  • Remember to be quiet until you are feeding at the source.

  • Do NOT attempt any blind hides (you not knowing where the hide is.)

  • Keep watching for those subtle cues that tell you the dog has caught the scent as well as
    when they've found source.

  • Think about your leash handling.  What was the hardest part?  We'll have more opportunities
    to develop this skill, so keep your strengths and weaknesses in mind as we move forward.  

Lesson Review

In case you missed class or want a review, here’s the link to what we did this week. (You’ll need to register with Thinkific to access it.)

Week Four Homework

  • Continue box work and environmental objects, with several hides outside the boxes.

  • When hiding in boxes, work toward having 3-4 box flaps closed. 

  • Add elevation. (No higher than the dog's nose.)

  • Try to work in at least 5 different locations

  • Bring one or two environmental objects that we can use during our searches in class next week. 

It's Time to Register for the Intro to Odor Class

Only two classes left for this round of Intro to Nose Work class. If you're planning to continue, reserve your spot in the Intro to Odor class, same time as your current class time. Don't delay -- space is limited!