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Scent Work – A Sport For All Breeds And Ages
HUNGARIAN VIZSLA ‘VANDOR’ LETTING HIS HANDLER KNOW HE’S FOUND SOMETHING.
Canine scent work is a fun and mentally stimulating sport that allows dogs the opportunity to use their powerful and natural sense of smell in a way that is positive, challenging and builds and strengthens the trust between the handler and dog. The sport evolved thanks to a small group of narcotics and explosive detection dog trainers who were convinced that companion dogs would also benefit from the mental and physical stimulation provided by using their sense of smell in a directed manner, and be rewarded for it!
This is a sport that is great for dogs of all shapes, sizes and ages, from six months through to the much older dogs. Scent work builds confidence and helps dogs burn off mental and physical energy. It is an ideal activity for those with limited time, energy or space to train their dog. It is also less physically demanding for the dog and handler, relatively inexpensive, and doesn’t require a great deal of equipment. As only one dog is trialled at a time, scent work is an ideal sport for dogs who are reactive, timid, or naturally aloof. As the activity itself requires a great deal of mental energy, scent work is a great sport to reduce behavioural problems in dogs that are due to a lack of stimulation. Scent work may be trained at home, on the road, at group classes, or any combination of methods. There are a multitude of online classes or teaching DVDs and a number of online sources for scent work kits for those who wish to train individually or who cannot attend in-person training.
Dogs are trained to recognise specific “target” odours and to alert their handlers when the target odours are detected. A very small amount of the a target odour is placed on a cotton swab, and the dog is rewarded for sniffing out and positively identifying the location of the target. As training progresses, the target is placed in progressively more difficult and challenging locations for the dog to find, including against the backdrop of other odours and distractions. While dogs learn to play the detection game, handlers learn to very closely observe the behaviour of their dog so that they can identify when their dog has found or “indicated” the odour.
KAREN AND DAISY (STAFFY X).
– A SPORT FOR ALL BREEDS AND AGES
ANKC Scent Work uses four target odours, which are 100% pure essential oils, and used either singly or in combination. The target odours are Birch (Betula lental), Anise (Pimpinella anisum), Clove Bud (Eugenia carophyllata), and Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens). Care must be taken to use the exact botanical names when ordering scent work supplies. The odours themselves must be handled carefully, and scented items kept strictly separate during preparation and training to avoid contamination.
There are four search elements that dogs may be tested on – Container searches, Interior searches, Exterior searches and Vehicle searches. Handlers take their dogs through a search area which may be set up in a variety of environments, including boxes, bags, in enclosed rooms, around vehicles or around the outside of buildings. The dog and handler must work together as a team, using body language and verbal encouragement to ensure all sections of the search area are covered and indicating to the Judge when the dog has found the odour. Communication with and praise of the dog during the search are encouraged.
JULIE AND DARCY
There are four levels of scent work competition within the ANKC – Scent Work Novice (SWN), Scent Work Advanced (SWA), Scent Work Excellent (SWE), and Scent Work Masters (SWM).
If you wish to learn more about canine scent work, please contact Dogs Queensland at rob@dogsqueensland.org.au
VEHICLE SEARCH WITH JENNY AND KAI (BORDER COLLIE)
The Foundation Scent Work Judges’ Training Scheme will be conducted at a national level in 2020 under the auspice of the ANKC National Scent Work Committee.
The Foundation Scent Work Judges’ course will formally commence about 1 September 2020 and is expected to conclude in early 2021. The course will include theory and practical components, with theory and practical examinations at the completion of the course.
Applicants must include documentation supporting their claims against the Eligibility Criteria for the program (see below). This should not be more than 1-2 page(s). Further information will be sought if required.
After acceptance by Dogs Queensland aspirants will be approved by the National Scent Work Committee as suitable to be admitted to the Foundation Judges’ course.
Appointment of Scent Work Foundation Judges will be through the ANKC member bodies based on recommendations from the National Scent Work Committee.
The eligibility criteria for the Program include – an applicant must:
(a) be a member of a Member Body or, if not a member, become and remain a member of the relevant Member Body;
(b) be over eighteen (18) years of age by the closing date for applications;
(c) reside in the State or Territory of application for admission to the Scheme;
(d) demonstrate proven Scent Work knowledge as a result of either formal qualifications and/ or relevant training courses with proven skills and/or experience in training a dog(s) in Scent Work in either a professional or dog sports capacity;
(e) demonstrate skills and experience in instructing in Scent Work;
(f) demonstrate a commitment to actively participate in Scent Work trials including as an organiser, a steward, a judge or other official.
Consideration may be given on an exception basis to expressions of interest for the Foundation program that meet most (but not all) of these criteria, where the individual can demonstrate the capacity to meet the requirements within a reasonable time.
Expressions of interest addressing the Eligibility Criteria and with a completed application form should be emailed to rob@dogsqueensland.org.au at Dogs Queensland by 14 August 2020.
The following application form can be downloaded. Scent Work Judges Application Dogs Qld.pdf
