Yep… every 2 months are new courses! The courses are 6 weeks each so that allows a few weeks before the next session to recover from review the courses that are just ending. This session I’m taking 2 more courses – one that is the logical sequence from the beginning ones I took and the other is more specialized.
This is the third skills level course in our Nosework program and will build on the skills acquired in the previous two skills classes. We will search for odor only and work to develop the teamwork necessary for successful trialing - and that involves trusting your dog to lead you to source. We will cover training skills such as:
- thresholds and corners
- environmental considerations around airflow and weather conditions
- aged hides
- non-box containers
- how to set up and work through distractions
- how to evaluate search are challenges/approach
- how to effectively search an area
- multiple hides
- inaccessibles
- advanced vehicle searches
- building search stamina
- combo odors
- what to expect when trialing
- assessing trial readiness
- problem solving individual team skills
Week 1:
- Self-Assessment
- Thresholds
- Corners
- Airflow/Scent Theory
- Analyze airflow/search environment conditions and predict how the search will go
- SUPPLEMENTAL LECTURE: Adding new odors
- SUPPLEMENTAL LECTURE: Use of other Qtip holders
Week 2:
- Increasing age of hides across all element
- Adding appropriate direction for covering an area
- Evaluating search area challenges/approach
- Effectively covering small and large search areas
- SUPPLEMENTAL LECTURE: Hide Placements (Accessible vs. Inaccessible)
Week 3:
- Introduction to non-box containers
- Unintentional Distractions
- Introduction to multiple hides
Week 4:
- Adding more vehicles/novel vehicles
- Adding blind hides in your training
- Intentional Distractors
- Introduction to Inaccessible hides
Week 5:
- Hides in every day items
- Odor is Odor - not relying on visual cues
- High and Low hides - considerations for small and large dogs
- Extending multiple hide searches to all elements
Week 6:
- Combo Odors
- Extending inaccessible hides to all elements
- What to expect with trialing / Assessing Trial Readiness
- Building Search Stamina (Part 2)
- SUPPLEMENTAL LECTURE: Building Search Stamina (Part 1)
- Revisit Self-Assessment
This course will take your Vehicle and Exterior Skills to the Next Level. Teams working from NW1 through NW3 will find this course extremely valuable.
Vehicles are one of the least practiced elements yet are also one of the least understood. Stacy decodes the ins and outs of her favorite element and shares all of her hidden secrets that have resulted in multiple NW3 Vehicle wins and 100% pass rate. Learn her "secret sauce".
Exteriors are more often practiced but are often difficult due to scenting conditions and search area complexity. Stacy guides you through one of her other favorite elements (and often won at NW3) in order to get you comfortable in understanding and navigating your search area.
Week 1: Vehicles and Exterior Basics
- Vehicles and Exteriors as Elements
- Basic Handling
- Sticking to Vehicles
- UKC Novice Vehicles - Training Bumpers
- One Hide Multiple Vehicles
Week 2: Vehicle and Exterior Scent Theory
- Vehicles: Flow and Aerodynamics
- Weather impact
- Wind, Elevation and Structure
- Windfalls, Working next to Buildings
Week 3: Vehicle Handling and Lots More
- Vehicles are like a sundial
- The Dance
- Keeping your bearings
- Handle This and I Handled That
- When to Call Finish
- Inaccessible hides
- Addressing pawing at source and other troubles
Week 4: Vehicle Challenges and Competitive Considerations
- Multiple hides on a single vehicle
- Getting Creative
- High Up Vehicles
- Anything with Wheels Goes
- Shaving off Seconds
Week 5: Exterior Handling and Lots More
- Evaluating a Search Area in 3D
- Working a space effectively
- Boundaries! Or Not.
- Handle This and I Handled That
- When to Call Finish
Week 6: Exterior Challenges and Generalization
- Ground Hides
- Hides on Multiple Levels
- Hides Near Drains
- Training for Distractions
- Generalization of Course!
