Whether your dog is searching for an imprinted target odour or is loving hunting out hidden pieces of food, scentwork games are so versatile they can be taken just about anywhere. Sniffy games are an excellent way to ignite your dog’s seeking system and get their nose tracking a scent to the location of the find. Food scent hunting games are easy to set up and super fun for every breed of dog and any age from puppy to senior.
All you will need is some smelly food pieces for your dog to search for, like cheese, sausage or smelly fishy bites or if your dog has been trained to recognise a specific odour then some articles that have been prepared with that target odour. You may also need a long line (3-5 meters should be ample) to keep your dog safe in an exterior area and finally some latex gloves if you don’t want your dog tracking your smell too. That is about it, away you go for some scentwork fun with your dog.
*If your dog has never played ‘find it’ games before then follow some simple instructions below to get your pooches nose ready for action:
Firstly, ensure the room or exterior area that you are planning to use is safe for your dog to search around, think of aspects such as any dangling wires, fires, children’s small toys and items that may fall. In exterior areas, have a check around and ensure there is no broken glass, prickly thistles or spiky bushes that could potentially harm your dog’s feet or poke into their eyes whilst they are searching for the hide.
Food Hunts – Room Searches
Position your dog outside the room and initially lay a trail of 4-6 high value smelly treats leading into the room area, then place a further 5-8 treats around the room, these should be visual to your dog to start with. Bring your dog in and say ‘find it’ and signal to your dog with an arm movement pointing to the first line of treats. Stand back and observe your dog using their nose to seek out all the treats laid out. When they have stopped searching, say’ Yes’ and ‘Finish’ and reward with another treat. Gradually from there you can start to lessen the amount of food hides and begin to hide them out of your dog’s sight. Always ensure your dog can get access to the food finds easily, therefore not too high or in areas where your dog cannot physically get to.
Food Hunts -Searching Outdoors
Either keep your dog in your car or if you have someone with you they can hold your dog for you whilst you set the search. As above you will start by hiding numerous treats in easier places and always accessible for your dog to get too, then work towards concealing the food treats just under and behind things and then lessening the amount to find.
If your dog has already completed some scentwork training as a sporting activity and is trained to search, locate and indicate on a specific target odour you will know your dog’s capabilities and can get more inventive with your hides.
Scentwork games are excellent to do with your dog at holiday destinations too. Holiday homes make for great new search areas for you to enjoy laying out for your dog in a different area. Scentwork games away from home are beneficial as your dog gets lots of positive exposure to the new place with their familiar seeking game.
You and your dog will love searching ‘Home and Away’
Happy sniffy times
Welcome to Scent Work Academy
Solihull United Kingdom