Get ready to trial in the new AKC Handler Discrimination Scent Work division!! This class will cover the advanced skills needed to trial at Advanced, Excellent and Master AKC level Handler Discrimination classes. From interiors, to exteriors to multiple hides and distractions. This class is perfect if you are still trialing in Novice or ready to compete in the Advanced+ classes. The primary focus of the class is building value for YOUR odor through many fun games and successful search setups!
The target odor is the handler's scent. In the novice class, a cotton sock or glove is hidden in a box container only. For all other classes your scented cotton ball or swab is placed in interiors, exteriors, and/or containers.
We'll refresh our handler scent work from the intro class, jump right into searching for our scented cotton ball/swab in various search elements and end with "back to boxes" for our Novice AND Master level skills. By building strong value for finding our scent in non-container searches, we will increase success with the box level searches, including a small scent pad with cotton balls or swabs that can be used at the Master level.
We will split out the behaviors and work our way up to successfully searching our hidden scented item and learn neat little tricks to handle discrimination odors! We will also cover the types of distractions that can be found in the higher level classes.
Come join us in this new and exciting adventure in scent detection where we will take it to the next level!
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Syllabus
SUPPLEMENTALS:
Handler Scent Considerations
Handler Discrimination Scent Rule Summary Chart
Setting up "Clean" Training Environments
Week 1:
Refresh of building value for our scent
Importance of handler scent warmup
Gear, handler role and startline overview
Intro to Interiors using socks/gloves
Adding cotton balls/swabs to your search games
Week 2: Interior hides with cotton ball/swab (Advanced level)
Hide placement and discrimination scent aid guidelines
Searching "staged" areas with nose height hides
Running on and offleash
Working accessible hides low, med, high (max 12 inches high)
Discrimination of another person's scented item (judge)
Week 3: Exterior hide with cotton ball/swab (Excellent level)
Intro to Exteriors
Discrimination of another person's scented item (judge)
Adding direction
When the going gets tough ... handling the unexpected
Running on and offleash
Working accessible hides low, med, high (max 24 inches high)
Week 4: Preparing for Master Level/Overview of rules
Overview of Master level rules
Multiple hides in search area
Running multiple hide search with discrimination aids (judge and steward)
Proofing discrimination scents
Week 5: Mock searches, distractors and optional use of scent vessels
Taking it on the road!
Going Blind and running with "clean" setup with a helper
Working accessible/inaccessible interior and exterior hides up to 36 inches high
Adding different distractors: non-food, food, visual, auditory, human, or mimic
Use of scent vessels (Optional for trial hosts)
Week 6: Back to Boxes
Get ready/get those last legs on your novice title - searching for your scented glove/sock in closed box.
Games to practice honing in on handler scent
Searching for Master level container hides using scented cotton ball/swab.
Optional: A jar for storing your scented gloves/socks and cotton balls. Storing your scented items will hold the scent and keep them extra stinky! Using a ziplock baggie or other container would be fine too. Here is my 64oz jar (could be a little smaller).
Disposable powder-free vinyl or latex gloves
Distraction items that include but not limited to:
Visual (mild light source - cell phone, flashlight, LED keychain),
Auditory (continuous or spontaneous sound - moving toy, clapping, cell phone ring tone),
Mimic (stuffed animal or statue that looks like a realistic animal.
Up to 10 cardboard boxes 10x8x3" - 10x8.8". Save your packaging boxes you get in the mail. I will be focusing on using the 4 way fold down type boxes like these below:
From Week 2 - Searching "staged" areas with nose height hides
In the spirit of real detection situations, trial search areas will be natural and not appear staged with out of place items. Staged areas with out of place or obvious objects will actually draw the dogs attention to search only those items and does not imitate the work of a true working detection dog. For training, having a more staged area will help introduce new search elements/skills and build hunt drive and enable success in our early learning sessions.
We'll setup an area staged with a few random or patterned objects. A room with a line of chairs or a circle of stools/tables/chairs.
We want our dogs to be drawn to objects to search when first starting out. It gets them to odor faster, and builds confidence in their searching ability.
Now that your dog has value for and actively searching for your odor from our week 1 lessons/review, it's time to place your scented item AT NOSE HEIGHT for your dog under the edge of a chair or stool or table. *Note*: If you have not yet progressed to a scented cotton ball or swab, you may start with using your glove/sock in a slightly less hidden location.
We will run this off leash to build independent searching and not introduce handling complications or errors.
Place your scented item so that it is not visible but accessible.
Here is a clip of both of my dogs running 2 different staged setups with my handler scented cotton ball.
And here's a clip of Kelli and Griffin, a smaller dog running the same exercise also on a hidded scented cotton ball.
Testimonials
A sampling of what prior students have said about this course ...
Julie is patient and gives lots of feedback and advice to her students. Really works with them where they are but also encourages them farther along.
A really great way to train the higher classes of Handler Discrimination. Uses old familiar techniques with some new things as well - and all with the realization of the differences of human scent vs. oils.
Julie was fantastic! I came into the class with a desperate need to learn as much about HD as possible and Julie was gracious to help us not only learn, but excel! I love her teaching style and the material covered was excellent.
Julie Symons is an excellent teacher and coach. I am always confident that I am well-prepared for any trial. Julie's feedback is very strategic and simultaneously very individualized. I look forward to more classes with her in the future.
This is the third class that I have taken with Julie and, as always, it was a wonderful learning experience. I feel like I am almost ready to trial in HD now. Thank you!
Registration
This is a self-study class. The lectures will appear directly in your library, under the "Self Study classes" heading. Self Study classes do not have class homework forums. You will not have any access to the course instructor for questions or feedback. Please note there are no refunds on self-study classes so review all the information provided carefully before purchasing.
You will have access to these materials in your library for one year from the date of enrollment. You can keep your library pass current by enrolling in at least one course or workshop a year. Alternatively, you can purchase a library pass for $25 per year for as long as you wish to have access to prior class materials.
NW640 Self Study
NW640: Advanced Handler Discrimination Scent Work Skills
NW640 Retired
$50.00
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