Review of Important Concepts

Below is a list of the important concepts discussed in class. Be aware of them when you're working with your dog at home this week.

On Handling Odor

Always use tweezers or wear rubber gloves when transferring Qtips or working with oil.
Dispose of any trash the oils have touched in a location your dog won't continue to smell.
The Qtips your dog is working with should always be protected in a vented container to prevent contamination and consumption.
When you're finished training, return the Qtips to a sealed glass or metal container, and store the now empty vented container in its own sealed glass or metal container.
Use alcohol to clean anything the oil/Qtip has come in contact with.

On Training With Odor

Vary the number of Qtips your dog is searching for.
Always pair (food with odor)
Reward as close to the odor as physically possible.
Spend extra time letting your dog work at getting the cookies from the box to connect the odor with increased arousal.
Remove the odor from the dog, not the dog from the odor.

Lesson Review

In case you missed class or would like to review, here’s the link to what we did this week.

Keep up the good work! Continue pairing odor with treats, placing hides as you have been indoors, outdoors on concrete only, working towards closing those flaps.
Remember to reward as close to that tin as possible.
Try to get to at least five different locations. If you're planning on entering the upcoming ORT, your dog will need as much experience in new locations as possible.

Yet another way dogs use their noses to help people . . . .