TCOTC is offering two Scent Work 1 classes starting Thursday, July 9. Classes will be held at 3:15 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Scent Work is a popular sport where dogs are trained to search for specific target odors. Several competitive venues use essential oils of birch (Betula lenta), anise (Pimpinella anisum), and clove (Eugenia caryophyllata) and some organizations include additional essential oils, such as cypress (Cupressus sempevirens), vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides) or myrrh (Commiphora myrrha) as target odors.
In Scent Work, dog and handler teams search for target odors in different types of environments (referred to as “Elements”) – Interiors, meaning indoors; Exteriors, meaning outdoors; Containers, which could be cardboard boxes, plastic bins, or other material; Vehicles; and Buried, in which the odor is buried in a container holding sand or water. Both AKC and UKC also offer a Handler Discrimination option, in which the dog searches for an item with the handler’s scent.
Benefits of scent work:
In scent work, dogs work independently. The handler’s job is to learn to read their dog’s body language to understand when the dog has located the source of the odor. Because the dog is in the lead, it helps to build the confidence of even a shy or timid dog.
Scent work helps to build the dog-handler bond because dogs are rewarded with food or play each time they locate target odor source. Being positively rewarded in novel environments can also build a dog’s resilience to new places and experiences.
Dogs of any age, size, or breed, or mix of breeds, can participate. Even dogs who are blind, deaf, reactive, or otherwise physically challenged can participate in scent work.
Whether you plan to compete or simply enjoy being active with your dog, scent work is a fun lifetime game you and your dog can play just about anywhere and anytime! It’s a great activity to do at home in bad weather. It’s also a fabulous enrichment activity for puppies or senior dogs.
TCOTC’s Scent Work 1 is open to members who have taken at least two Tier-2 classes. Dogs must be comfortable around other dogs and people and be able to rest quietly in a crate during class (when not searching).
Scent Work 1 is the beginning of a 3-class series. The goal of Scent Work 1 is to create a start line routine for dog and handler and to create a dog that searches confidently for food in different environments! Scent Work 2 introduces odor, and Scent Work 3 works on advancing skills and generalization. If you are interested in joining the Scent Work 1 class, please complete the application. If more applications are received than spots are available, we will fill the classes by lottery. The deadline to apply is Friday, June 19.