Competing in Scent Work involves receiving qualifying or non-qualifying scores, earning titles or even placements...but what does all of this really mean?!

Does every Q earned mean our training is utterly perfect, unicorns and rainbows, whereas every NQ should be met with blowing up our training and starting over from scratch? If we do not earn a placement at a trial, do we have a ton of work ahead of us whereas earning a placement means all is well? If we do earn a title, does that mean that our dogs, ourselves as handlers and our team as a whole have all the requisite skills needed for this level and beyond?

In this podcast episode, we discuss the nuances involved with competition, how we may need to more closely evaluate our trial results and the potential pitfalls of incorrectly interpreting these results.

Speaker: Dianna L. Santos

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Read the full transcript here.

Scent Work University is an online dog training platform focused on all things Scent Work. Our online courses, seminars, webinars and eBooks are not only for those who are interested in competition, but also for those dog owners who are simply looking for something fun and engaging to do with their dogs. Check out Scent Work University today!

Interested in other dog sports, helping a new dog or puppy learn the ropes to be more successful at home and when out and about? Check out Pet Dog U, where we offer online dog training courses, webinars, mini-webinars, seminars as well as a regularly updated blog and podcast for all of your dog training needs!

#allaboutscentworkpodcast #competinginscentwork #competinginnosework #qualifyingscores #nonqualifyingscores #placementsinscentwork #placementsinnosework #hitscentwork #hitnosework #learningaboutscentwork #learningaboutnosework #scentwork #nosework #scentworkpodcast #noseworkpodcast #scentworktraining #noseworktraining #onlinescentwork #onlinenosework #virtualscentwork #virtualnosework #scentworku #scentworkuniversity

We are living through an exciting time where there is a plethora of learning opportunities within the Scent Work training community! This includes access to countless experienced instructors and trainers who offer unique viewpoints and training approaches, creative training exercises and much more.

The way we take in and utilize all this information matters.

In this episode, we discuss the importance of being a critical consumer, asking questions, being mindful, looking for what will be helpful for us, our dog and our team as well as identifying what may not be so helpful or what we may simply dislike or disagree with. Additionally, we discuss how crucial it is to be respectful toward everyone, even those we may disagree with. Otherwise, these learning opportunities will simply dry up and disappear.
Hopefully this is the start of an important conversation within the community, striving to promote more growth and learning in a respectful manner. If we focus on celebrating our dogs and the incredible sniffing game we are privileged to play with them, everything else will fall into place.

Speaker: Dianna L. Santos

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Read the full transcript here.

Scent Work University is an online dog training platform focused on all things Scent Work. Our online courses, seminars, webinars and eBooks are not only for those who are interested in competition, but also for those dog owners who are simply looking for something fun and engaging to do with their dogs. Check out Scent Work University today!

Interested in other dog sports, helping a new dog or puppy learn the ropes to be more successful at home and when out and about? Check out Pet Dog U, where we offer online dog training courses, webinars, mini-webinars, seminars as well as a regularly updated blog and podcast for all of your dog training needs!

#allaboutscentworkpodcast #growinginscentwork #learningaboutscentwork #learningaboutnosework #scentwork #nosework #scentworkpodcast #noseworkpodcast #scentworktraining #noseworktraining #onlinescentwork #onlinenosework #virtualscentwork #virtualnosework #scentworku #scentworkuniversity

As we play Scent Work, we work to develop skills for the dog, handler and team in our classes and training sessions. Especially for teams who are interested in competing, testing those skills with blind hides, time limits and other potential stressors is key. Traditionally, mock trials and Sniff N' Gos were the type of events that met this need. However, we can all agree the more creative the event, the more likely we are to participate!

In this episode, we speak with Lori Timberlake of Do Over Dog Training about the types of creative events she has offered for her clients and the many benefits of these types of events. Handlers, instructors and event hosts alike will find inspiration from listening to this episode.

Are you looking to offer some creative search events in your program? Contact Lori here to potentially schedule a phone or Zoom consultation. She wants to help you offer creative sniffing opportunities for your clients!

Lori is an amazing Nose Work instructor, trial official, trial host and competitor. Scent Work University has been incredibly fortunate to host Lori for a variety of online courses, seminars, webinars and eBooks. Check out a few of her offerings here:

TRAINING AND TRIALING IN NOSE WORK

All-Level Trial Prep Webinar

All-Level NACSW Trial Prep Course

Covering the Search Area Webinar

Elevated Hides for the Vertically Challenged Webinar

NACSW: Odor Recognition Prep (ORT) Course

NACSW: NW1 Trial Prep Course

NACSW: NW2 Trial Prep Course

NACSW: NW3 Trial Prep Course

Skill Building for Elevated Hides Course

Start Lines: From Beginning to End Webinar

BEING A TRIAL HOST

Hosting Scent Work Trials eBook

How to Run Mock ORT & Trials Webinar

BEING A NOSE WORK INSTRUCTOR

Setting Up Your Training Space for All Dogs Seminar Module

We are also incredibly fortunate to host Lori for a series of online courses through our sister site, Pet Dog U:

Confidence Building Course

Intro to Canine Parkour Course

Intermediate Canine Parkour I Course

Speakers:

• Dianna L. Santos
• Lori Timberlake

Read the full transcript here.

One of the many wonderful aspects of Scent Work is how it is a benefical activity for so many categories of dogs, including reactive dogs.

In this episode, we have the privilege to speak with Christina Young of Positive Dog, a certified dog behavior consultant with IAABC and PPG, about playing the Scent Work game with reactive dogs.

Learn more about Christina:

Positive Dog Website

Leash Reactivity: Make Walks Fun Again Webinar

Primary, Paired and Odor Hides: Choosing the Hide for the Training Challenge Webinar offered through Scent Work University

• Canine Body Behavior and Scent Work for Handlers Webinar
• Control Unleashed and Scent Work Webinar
• Scent Work for Reactive Dogs Webinar
• Trial Prep for Reactive Dogs Webinar
• When Dog Odor Trumps Target Odors: Dogs are Scary Webinar

Speakers:

• Dianna L. Santos
• Christina Young

----more----

Read the full transcript here.

Scent Work University is an online dog training platform focused on all things Scent Work. Our online courses, seminars, webinars and eBooks are not only for those who are interested in competition, but also for those dog owners who are simply looking for something fun and engaging to do with their dogs. Check out Scent Work University today!

Interested in other dog sports, helping a new dog or puppy learn the ropes to be more successful at home and when out and about? Check out Pet Dog U, where we offer online dog training courses, webinars, mini-webinars, seminars as well as a regularly updated blog and podcast for all of your dog training needs!

#allaboutscentworkpodcast #reactivedogs #sensitivedogs #scentwork #nosework #scentworkpodcast #noseworkpodcast #scentworktraining #noseworktraining #onlinescentwork #onlinenosework #virtualscentwork #virtualnosework #scentworku #scentworkuniversity

Whether it be due to old age, injuries, illness or simply not wanting to play the game anymore, we may find ourselves faced with the prospect of retiring our dogs from Nose Work.

In this episode, we speak with Lori Timberlake of Do Over Dog Training about her personal journey with her senior girl Daisy who, while still full of spice and vinegar, made it clear she much preferred romps in the woods over playing Nose Work. 

We are so incredibly thankful to Lori for sharing her story, the emotions she has gone through, the options she weighed and more. Doing so may help others who are in a similar situation better navigate their journey to make the best decision for them and their dogs.

Lori is an amazing Nose Work instructor, trial official, trial host and competitor. Scent Work University has been incredibly fortunate to host Lori for a variety of online courses, seminars, webinars and eBooks. Check out a few of her offerings here:

TRAINING AND TRIALING IN NOSE WORK

All-Level Trial Prep Webinar

All-Level NACSW Trial Prep Course

Covering the Search Area Webinar

Elevated Hides for the Vertically Challenged Webinar

NACSW: Odor Recognition Prep (ORT) Course

NACSW: NW1 Trial Prep Course

NACSW: NW2 Trial Prep Course

NACSW: NW3 Trial Prep Course

Skill Building for Elevated Hides Course

Start Lines: From Beginning to End Webinar

BEING A TRIAL HOST

Hosting Scent Work Trials eBook

How to Run Mock ORT & Trials Webinar

BEING A NOSE WORK INSTRUCTOR

Setting Up Your Training Space for All Dogs Seminar Module

Are you looking for another activity to do with your pup? Definitely check out Canine Parkour! Lori has an excellent program you and your dog will love through Pet Dog U.

Intro to Canine Parkour Course

Intermediate Canine Parkour I Course

Speakers:

Dianna L. Santos

Lori Timberlake

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Read the full transcript here.

Scent Work University is an online dog training platform focused on all things Scent Work. Our online courses, seminars, webinars and eBooks are not only for those who are interested in competition, but also for those dog owners who are simply looking for something fun and engaging to do with their dogs. Check out Scent Work University today!

Interested in other dog sports, helping a new dog or puppy learn the ropes to be more successful at home and when out and about? Check out Pet Dog U, where we offer online dog training courses, webinars, mini-webinars, seminars as well as a regularly updated blog and podcast for all of your dog training needs!

#allaboutscentworkpodcast #retiringfromnosework #retiringfromscentwork #listentingtothedog #givethedogavote #scentwork #nosework #scentworkpodcast #noseworkpodcast #scentworktraining #noseworktraining #onlinescentwork #onlinenosework #virtualscentwork #virtualnosework #scentworku #scentworkuniversity

We are all incredibly busy, fluttering around doing a million things at once. How often have you found yourself trying to squeeze in a Scent Work training session? "I've got a few minutes...let's do a quick search!"

In this episode, Dianna explains how one such "I can do this quick!" training session went completely off the rails, how breathing and staying mindful would have been a far better solution yet the learning she was able to walk away with. 

Want to learn more about the new Let's Get Inspired: Creative Search Areas offering? You can here!

Other links:

What a Pair odor vessel accessory

Cirrus Wind Indicator

Speaker:

Dianna L. Santos

----more----

Read the full transcript here.

Scent Work University is an online dog training platform focused on all things Scent Work. Our online courses, seminars, webinars and eBooks are not only for those who are interested in competition, but also for those dog owners who are simply looking for something fun and engaging to do with their dogs. Check out Scent Work University today!

Interested in other dog sports, helping a new dog or puppy learn the ropes to be more successful at home and when out and about? Check out Pet Dog U, where we offer online dog training courses, webinars, mini-webinars, seminars as well as a regularly updated blog and podcast for all of your dog training needs!

#allaboutscentworkpodcast #trainingsession #hideplacement #mindfultraining #understandingodor #creativesearches #scentwork #nosework #scentworkpodcast #noseworkpodcast #scentworktraining #noseworktraining #onlinescentwork #onlinenosework #virtualscentwork #virtualnosework #scentworku #scentworkuniversity

Regardless of why we are playing Scent Work or what our goals are, we should take time to better understand odor, odor theory and hide placement.

In this episode, we discuss the benefits of better understanding these concepts and how doing so can ensure our dogs to have more successful repetitions in their Scent Work training sessions.

Looking to learn more about odor theory and hide placement? Check out these resources:

• Hide Placement and Odor Movement Seminar with Laurel Scarioni
• Sniff Busters Webinar with Laurel Scarioni
• Odor Concentrations Webinar with Judith Guthrie
• Convergence Webinar with Judith Guthrie
• The Mystery of Strings and Triangles Webinar with Judith Guthrie
• Hound and The Found: How Scent and Airflow Works

Speaker:

Dianna L. Santos

You may read the full transcript here.

----more----

Scent Work University is an online dog training platform focused on all things Scent Work. Our online courses, seminars, webinars and eBooks are not only for those who are interested in competition, but also for those dog owners who are simply looking for something fun and engaging to do with their dogs. Check out Scent Work University today!

Interested in other dog sports, helping a new dog or puppy learn the ropes to be more successful at home and when out and about? Check out Pet Dog U, where we offer online dog training courses, webinars, mini-webinars, seminars as well as a regularly updated blog and podcast for all of your dog training needs!

#allaboutscentworkpodcast #odortheory #hideplacement #understandingodor #scentwork #nosework #scentworkpodcast #noseworkpodcast #scentworktraining #noseworktraining #onlinescentwork #onlinenosework #virtualscentwork #virtualnosework #scentworku #scentworkuniversity

Dealing with absolutes is riddled with issues. Yet it is far too common for statements containing "always" and "never" to be thrown around when discussing Scent Work. Black and white type thinking can be problematic to stay the very least.

In this episode, we delve into the importance of embracing the grey to take into account all the variables including the dog, handler, team, search area, environmental factors and more.

Speaker:

Dianna L. Santos

----more----

Scent Work University is an online dog training platform focused on all things Scent Work. Our online courses, seminars, webinars and eBooks are not only for those who are interested in competition, but also for those dog owners who are simply looking for something fun and engaging to do with their dogs. Check out Scent Work University today!

Interested in other dog sports, helping a new dog or puppy learn the ropes to be more successful at home and when out and about? Check out Pet Dog U, where we offer online dog training courses, webinars, mini-webinars, seminars as well as a regularly updated blog and podcast for all of your dog training needs!

#allaboutscentworkpodcast #groupclasses #scentwork #nosework #scentworkpodcast #noseworkpodcast #scentworktraining #noseworktraining #onlinescentwork #onlinenosework #virtualscentwork #virtualnosework #scentworku #scentworkuniversity

Handlers should absolutely advocate for their dogs. They know their dogs best and will be the ones who will decide the short-term and long-term goals for themselves, their dog and their team as a unit. Handlers working with an instructor should view this professional as an integral part of the team. These professionals can ensure all these goals are met, avoid common pitfalls or course correct if necessary. However, doing so can be complicated in a group class setting depending on the circumstances, particularly when we are talking about Scent Work.

In this episode, we discuss why this may be, the logistical realities of group classes and how supplementing attending class with private sessions or virtual training may offer better results. At the end of the day, communication is key and recognizing that instructors and professional trainers are devoted to helping their human and clients succeed.

Speaker:

Dianna L. Santos

----more----

Scent Work University is an online dog training platform focused on all things Scent Work. Our online courses, seminars, webinars and eBooks are not only for those who are interested in competition, but also for those dog owners who are simply looking for something fun and engaging to do with their dogs. Check out Scent Work University today!

Interested in other dog sports, helping a new dog or puppy learn the ropes to be more successful at home and when out and about? Check out Pet Dog U, where we offer online dog training courses, webinars, mini-webinars, seminars as well as a regularly updated blog and podcast for all of your dog training needs!

#allaboutscentworkpodcast #groupclasses #scentwork #nosework #scentworkpodcast #noseworkpodcast #scentworktraining #noseworktraining #onlinescentwork #onlinenosework #virtualscentwork #virtualnosework #scentworku #scentworkuniversity

As we are training and trialing in Scent Work, we will start accumulating successes. However, we should evaluate these successes objectively and honestly, otherwise we can start experiencing some issues.

In this episode, we discuss why this type of honest assessment is crucially important to ensure the future progression of ourselves and our dogs as we continue to play the sniffing game.

Speaker:

Dianna L. Santos

----more----

Scent Work University is an online dog training platform focused on all things Scent Work. Our online courses, seminars, webinars and eBooks are not only for those who are interested in competition, but also for those dog owners who are simply looking for something fun and engaging to do with their dogs. Check out Scent Work University today!

Interested in other dog sports, helping a new dog or puppy learn the ropes to be more successful at home and when out and about? Check out Pet Dog U, where we offer online dog training courses, webinars, mini-webinars, seminars as well as a regularly updated blog and podcast for all of your dog training needs!

#allaboutscentworkpodcast #successinscentwork #scentwork #nosework #scentworkpodcast #noseworkpodcast #scentworktraining #noseworktraining #onlinescentwork #onlinenosework #virtualscentwork #virtualnosework #scentworku #scentworkuniversity

Being a Scent Work instructor is an honor and a privilege. You devote countless hours learning and honing your craft, perfecting it with your own dogs and then transferring that knowledge to your clients. Those clients then go on to play the wonderful sniffing game, having successes and a blast doing so.

However, to be an effective teacher requires one also be a student, someone open to learning new information, approaches and perspectives. The issue? There may come a point in time when this seemingly runs in conflict with your current approaches, program or curriculum!

In this episode, we discuss how painful it can be for Scent Work instructors to grow and adjust their training approaches, lessons and curriculum. The possible professional ramifications. The emotional toll. How it may cause you to second guess your worth as an instructor and trainer! While growth can indeed be painful, even eliciting powerful emotional responses, growing as a Scent Work instructor is a GOOD thing and DOES NOT mean one was bad, unknowledgeable or worthless before said growth.

One such newer resource that can help you further grow as an instructor is the book authored by Sue Sternberg and Dana Zinn: The Dog-Driven Search: Handling Our Nose Work Dogs to Promote Independence, Joy, and Enthusiasm

This is the first installment for our new Scent Work instructor-focused podcast series. We look forward to sharing interviews with fellow colleagues about their training journeys, their experience as an instructor and much more.

Speaker:

Dianna L. Santos

----more----

Scent Work University is an online dog training platform focused on all things Scent Work. Our online courses, seminars, webinars and eBooks are not only for those who are interested in competition, but also for those dog owners who are simply looking for something fun and engaging to do with their dogs. Check out Scent Work University today!

Interested in other dog sports, helping a new dog or puppy learn the ropes to be more successful at home and when out and about? Check out Pet Dog U, where we offer online dog training courses, webinars, mini-webinars, seminars as well as a regularly updated blog and podcast for all of your dog training needs!

#allaboutscentworkpodcast #scentworkinstructor #noseworkinstructor #dogtraininginstructor #growthisgood #growthcanbepainful #scentwork #nosework #scentworkpodcast #noseworkpodcast #scentworktraining #noseworktraining #onlinescentwork #onlinenosework #virtualscentwork #virtualnosework #scentworku #scentworkuniversity