All About Scent Work Podcast

There's More to Sniffing Success

When it comes to Scent Work, we work to to ensure our dog has solid odor recognition, that they find their hides valuable and are able to competently solve odor puzzles and source their hides both efficiently and effectively. However, to truly be successful, our dogs must also master a myriad of other skills which have nothing at all to do with searching.
In this episode, we delve into this topic, providing a few examples of the types of skills oftentimes brushed aside as unimportant when in truth they may be pivotal for the dog's or team's overall success.
A few of the resources you may want to look into to broaden your dog's skillset include:
Car Crate Crazy Webinar with Kayla Dever and Samantha Winslow
Harnessing Joy Webinar with Kayla Dever and Samantha Winslow
The Floor is Lava Webinar with Kayla Dever and Samantha Winslow
Worth Waiting For: Leveraging Staging Areas to Maximize Performance Webinar with Kayla Dever and Samantha Winslow
Elevation Elation: Build and Use Body Awareness Webinar with Vicky Lovejoy
Shrinking Space = Success Webinar with Vicky Lovejoy
Fitness for the Life of Your Dog Webinar with Donna Morgan Murray
Keeping Your Senior Dog Fit to Work and Play Webinar with Donna Morgan Murray
Fitness Exercises for Your Puppy Webinar with Donna Morgan Murray
Intro to Canine Parkour Course with Lori Timberlake
Intermediate Canine Parkour I Course with Lori Timberlake
Conquering Competiton Stress Webinar with Michael McManus
Why Stress is Good Webinar with Michael McManus and Natalie McManus
Speaker:
Dianna L. Santos

Cyber Scent Work: Games, Evaluators, Oh My!

In this episode, we discuss Cyber Scent Work and some of the changes, updates and new offerings including the launch of the Cyber Sniffing Games Program, the revamped Traditional Cyber Scent Work Program as well as introducing in-person assessments with the new Evaluator Program. YAY!
To learn more, be certain to check out:
Cyber Scent Work website
Cyber Sniffing Games Program
Traditional Cyber Scent Work Program
Evaluator Program
If you have any questions or would like to learn more, contact Dianna directly at dianna@cyberscentwork.com.
Speaker:
Dianna L. Santos

Let’s Talk Odor with Amy Herot and Jill Marie O’Brien

For our 100th episode, we have the distinct privilege of speaking with the Co-Founders of NACSW, Amy Herot and Jill Marie O'Brien about all things odor, K9 Nose Work, training, trialing and more.

Run on All Cylinders...Or Maybe Not

Are you going a million miles a minute when it comes to Scent Work? Doing all the training, learning, trialing possible, essentially all the things all the time? Or, do you feel as though MUST do all the things all the time to be a "good" Scent Work handler, instructor, trainer or trial official?
In this episode, we discuss the potential issues of doing too much for too long, lacking balance in your life and how it is NOT necessary to meet some arbitrary metric when it comes to playing Scent Work.
Speaker:
Dianna L. Santos

Instructors: Clients Cannot Live Inside Bubbles

As Scent Work Instructors, given our learning, background and expertise, we oftentimes have a fairly solid grasp for how a sniffy journey may go, common pitfalls teams may fall into and ways to avoid those pitfalls. Our desire is to help guide our clients to have the smoothest and most successful journey possible. However, some learning can only be obtained by doing.
In this episode, Dianna discusses how challenging it can be for instructors to thread this needle. While we want to guide our clients along their journey, we must simultaenously recognize it may be necessary for our client to experience something firsthand to truly absorb the information or obtain the requisite skills. Essentially, while instructors may have the best of intentions, placing clients into bubbles is oftentimes not the best option and could actually hinder their progression and growth.
Speaker: Dianna L. Santos

It Depends: Missed a Hide in Training

"It depends", one of the most common responses Scent Work instructors will give regarding what to do when a dog misses a hide in training. While this may be met with frustration and consternation from our clients, there is good reason for it. Solutions are NOT one-size-fits all. There are a multitude of factors which may result in drastically different approaches being implemented for the best outcome.
In this episode, we discuss a few scenarios where a dog missed a hide in training in an attempt to illustrate why "It depends" actually makes sense and how handlers can reframe how they think, and emotionally react to, their dog missing a hide.

Sniffing Puppies are Still Puppies

Watching baby puppies tackle a Scent Work search is endearing to say the very least. We can easily get swept away by how amazing these tiny little babies are at solving their searches. Before we know it, we are offering more and more challenging searches for them to tackle. However, we must remember that they are indeed babies, not simply small adult dogs. 
In this episode, we discuss how it is fantastic to play Scent Work with our puppies. However, doing so requires that we set appropriate challenges for them. Thus, we must take our time and avoid the allure the rush. We also discus how crucial it is to take into account their age and stage of development.
The key message with this episode is to relish the time with our puppies and ensure whatever we are doing with them is FUN!
Are you looking to get your puppy started in Scent Work? Check out our Puppy Sniffing Program today!
Speaker:
Dianna L. Santos

Instructor Talk: Train Dirty

In this episode, we speak with Lori Timberlake of Do Over Dog Training regarding one of her favorite topics: training dirty in Scent Work. This discussion highlights the power of this training approach, how and when teams should incorporate these concepts and clearing up any misconceptions regarding how this may differ from the proper handling of our odor training aids.
This is an excellent discussion which will benefit all dog and handlers teams, especially those who are competing and are perhaps concerned of how they will deal with both the planned and unplanned distractors they may encounter at a trial.
You can also work directly with Lori, incorporating the training dirty concept into your routine by enrolling in her All-Level NACSW™ Trial Prep Course. Additionally, you may schedule a private Zoom consultation with Lori or submit either a training or trialing video for her to review. Clients have raved about the personalized feedback they receive from Lori.

All-Level Trial Prep...SAY WHAT?!

A common approach teams take when they are prepping for a Scent Work trial is to focus on the requirements for a given level. However, that oftentimes means teams are solely obsessing about tackling super difficult searches in the upper levels whereas newer teams are holding off on introducing key concepts until much later in their training journey. This can be problematic. Enter all-level trial prep as an alternative approach!
 
In this episode, we speak with Lori Timberlake of Do Over Dog Training about the more holistic approach she takes in her in-person training classes and how she is translating this into a new webinar and online course she is offering through Scent Work University.
 
The beauty of this approach is that it can help EVERYONE! Obviously, teams of all levels of expertise can benefit, but even those teams who are NOT interested in competing can find value in this webinar and course, learning how to design more thoughtful practice sessions. Furthermore, instructors may glean some ideas and inspiration which can then bolster their own programs. Thus, this webinar and course are both fantastic learning opportunities for everyone!
 
Learn more about the All-Level Trial Prep Webinar and the All Level NACSW™ Trial Prep Course, you and your dog will be happy you did! Additionally, look into scheduling either a Zoom consultation or submitting a training to trialing video to Lori to review and provide her feedback on.

AKC Buried...AHHHH!

The AKC Scent Work Buried Class can be a BEAR for dogs and handlers alike!
In this episode, AKC Scent Work Judge, professional instructor and accomplished competitor, Natalie McManus, will outline some of the reasons for this and ways handlers can better approach the Buried class. Doing so will help this class make more sense to the dogs and thus allow teams to more successful.
Want to learn more from Natalie specifically on how to succeed in the AKC Buried Class? Check out her AKC: Working Water Hides Course!
Have a more specific need to something you or your dog are struggling with? Natalie offers her Handler's Choice Course, where you may partner with her to address what YOUR team needs. Additionally, her Scent Study Buddy Program will offer monthly themes for your team to tackle, such a field trip searches, focusing on containers and more. You may also submit training or trialing videos for Natalie to review and provide her feedback on or schedule a virtual Zoom consultation with her.

Do All the Sniffy Things

We are incredibly fortunate in that there is a slew of dog sport activities that all focus on our dogs tapping into their wonderful sense of smell.
In this episode, Dianna discusses how we should be leveraging all of these sniffy possibilities, since doing so can actually improve our dog's Scent Work game as well. 

Find Mine: Handler Discrimination

When it comes to handler discrimination, it common for handlers to become frustrated and for dogs to be confused of what game they are supposed to be playing. Why does this happen? We discuss some of the common reasons in this podcast episode.
Interested in getting started in Handler Discrimination? Check out the online Handler Discrimination course we offer through Scent Work University.

Instructor Talk: Leveraging Primary

It is common for Scent Work handlers to want to get off training primary as quickly as possible. "We want to hunt for the real stuff!" However, there are ways to fully leverage hunting for primary to help solidify crucial skills that will serve you and your dog well into your sniffing careers.
In this podcast episode, we have the privilege of speaking with Judith Guthrie about how she uses primary and the general process one may use to transition from primary, or pairing, to hunting for a novel target odor alone, considerations to keep in mind and more.
Judith brings a breadth of knowledge to this topic, especially considering the fact she wears so hats in the Scent Work realm, both as a professional detection dog trainer and handler, an approved Scent Work trial official, professional instructor and mentor as well as an accomplished competitor in her own right! 
With that in mind, we are thrilled to have Judith share her expertise with our clients. Be certain to check out her upcoming offerings:
More Than Odor: Environmental Considerations Webinar
USCSS: It's Game Time! Trial Prep Course
You may also be interested in the Hunting for Primary: Tips and Tricks Webinar with Dianna L. Santos.

Spotlight: Barbara Deg and Scentsitive Soul Program

In this podcast episode, Dianna has the privilege of speaking with Barbara Deg of Front N'Scenter Animal Behavior & Consulting regarding her new Scentsitive Soul Program designed to help dogs with big feelings by leveraging the power of Scent Work.
Learn more about Barbara and her program:
Online platform for Scentsitive Soul Program and related services
Front N'Scenter Animal Behavior & Consulting website
Facebook Page: Front N'Scenter Animal Behavior & Consulting

Interiors: Interesting or Infuriating?

In this podcast episode, Dianna discusses the final traditional search element of Interior searches and how they are oftentimes tackled as a "stuff" search instead of an interior search. Are you leveraging these interesting and exciting search elements to their full potential? Find out in this episode!
Does your dog struggle with slippery floors? You are in luck! Kayla Dever and Samantha Winslow will be presenting a webinar outlining solutions you can try. Be sure check out their The Floor is Lava Webinar.
Does your dog have a tendency to blow through threshold hides? Michele Ellertson has put together an outstanding training plan that addresses this very problem. Order the replay for her Threshold Hides: From Terrible to Terrific Webinar and marvel at the step-by-step training plan that will allow you and your dog to ace threshold hides going forward.

Exteriors: Exciting or Excruciating

As we embark on our Scent Work training journey, the prospect of tackling exterior searches with our dogs can be incredibly exciting! However, as we progress along our sniffing journey, we may find the challenges thrown at us by the environment become too much to deal with! Suddenly, exterior searches morph from this exciting venture to something that is excruciatingly painful and fraught with countless pitfalls!
In this podcast episode, Dianna discusses why this happens and how we, as handlers and trainers, may adjust our outlook to reinvigorate our love and appreciation for this challenging search element.
You may be interested in checking out these resources focused solely on tackling exterior searches:
Conquering the Environment in Scent Work Webinar
Exteriors and Field Trips with Primary Course
Exteriors and Field Trips with Birch Course
We have also been incredibly fortunate to host a slew of highly talented instructors as of late, be certain to check them all out:
All About the Box: A Detailed Look at Container Searches Webinar and All About the Box: Part 2 Webinar with Dana Zinn
Threshold Hides: From Terrible to Terrific Webinar with Michele Ellertson
Fearless Open Areas with Confidence Webinar with Judith Guthrie
Odor Concentrations Webinar with Judith Guthrie

Who Needs Vehicle Searches Anyways?!

Have you ever questioned why people even bother doing vehicle searches? Are they a search element you simply do not practice or train?
In this podcast episode, Dianna will discuss how fun vehicle searches can be, how they can be an excellent learning opportunity for dog and handler alike and why everyone should give them a try!
Intrigued? Be certain to check out Michael McManus' Perfect Patterns: Vehicles Course.
You may also be inspired by some of the challenges posed in these eBooks:
50 Sniffy Fun Challenges eBook
Winter Sniffy Fun Challenges eBook
Winter Sniffy Fun Challenge 2.0 eBook
Winter Sniffy Fun Challenge 3.0 eBook (to be released on March 31, 2023)
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!
Are you interested in competing in Scent Work? Give virtual trialing a try! Check out Cyber Scent Work, Inc. where not only may you earn qualifying scores, titles and ribbons, you may also receive training feedback from our incredibly talented and experienced Review Officials. Submit your video entry today.
Interested in another dog sport? Dog Sport University is sister online dog training platform, give it a peek and see what it has to offer you and your dog.
Want to help your dog in the manner department? Maybe you have a new puppy?
Check out our newest online dog training platform, Pet Dog U, where we offer online dog training courses, webinars, seminars as well as a regularly updated blog and podcast for all of your dog training needs!
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Eww...Containers!

Speaker: Dianna L. Santos
Do you DESPISE containers? Are they dumb, boring and your least favorite search element ever? You are not alone apparently! There is rather large contingency within the Scent Work community who are not fans of Container searches.
In this episode, Dianna will do her very best to try to make the case FOR Containers, describing how valuable of a learning tool they can be and attempt to inspire listeners to give this search element another chance.

Why the Why Matters

When we are training, trialing or making decisions about our sniffing journey, we oftentimes solely focus on the "how". In this podcast episode, discover the importance of understanding the "why".

Messy Human Expectations

Your dog is tackling a search and you just don't think they are going about it the right way. They are coming off the containers or vehicles, or perhaps they are attempting to go outside the barrier cones for an exterior search. Silly dog, you think to yourself, as you step in to direct them, illustrating the "right" way to go about searching this space.
In this episode, we discuss how our human expectations can inject unnecessary conflict into our Scent Work searches. Basically, how it is oftentimes best to simply trust the dog, as they can actually interact with and experience the odor we've tasked them to find. However, ceding this control and offering this trust can be exceedingly difficult and challenging for handlers, especially when the dog's choices in the space directly counter the handler's human expectations.

Senior Dogs and Tough Choices

Owning a senior dog means you must make some tough choices. This includes what activities you choose to do together. How to keep their age-related limitations in mind while still maximizing on the time you have together.
In this episode, we discuss Scent Work-specific considerations. This is a sensitive and emotional subject. These decisions must be individualized and customized. There are no right or wrong answers. As long handlers are mindful and thoughtful in their decisions, including an honest assessment of how the dog is faring, then all is good.

Being Tough v Reality

We've all heard how important it is "rise to the occasion" or to "meet the challenge head-on" or "anything worthwhile requires hard work" and so on. Essentially, if you hope to achieve anything, you must be ready and willing to put in the time and effort required.
The same applies to Scent Work. Eyeing the upper levels of competition? Better be ready to toughen up and put that time in! Your dog must toughen up too. Scent Work trials notoriously throw curveballs at teams all the time. Want to succeed? Better train your dog to be ready to deal with whatever life wants to throw at them!
These concepts of "toughening up" to face the challenges of life have merit but are incomplete. They assume everyone is at a place right now where they CAN give more. This premise doesn't account for the fact that handlers, and dogs, may simply be incapable of "giving it their all", because they already are. There is simply nothing left in the tank. Even worse, pushing more could spell disaster for them individually and as a team.
In this episode, we discuss the importance of being realistic in assessing what is going on at both ends of the leash before embarking on a "we'll suck it up 'till we get what we want" adventure. How being more pragmatic and flexible may be the better path to take.

Frustration Threshold...Say What?!

Have you ever been in the middle of a search with your dog, and it seems as though their brain just...well, exploded? Maybe they started barking at you. Or perhaps they rushed off to grab a toy. Maybe they disengaged all together, seemingly giving up on the search. What you may be witnessing is the dog reaching what Dianna calls their "frustration threshold".
In this episode, Dianna explains how she defines this term and what it looked like with her own dog, both inside and outside the context of Scent Work.
Be certain to check out the Dealing with Frustration Threshold Issues in Scent Work Webinar to learn more about the issue of frustration threshold within the context of Scent Work and some exercises and approaches you can try to help you dog overcome it, be sure to check out this webinar.
Speaker:
Dianna L. Santos

Allure to Rush

The allure to rush, whether it be while training or trialing, can be so incredibly strong. Yet the fallout is very real. Rushing can cause a huge multitude of issues that will take an immense amount of time and effort to undo and fix. Worst still, the results of rushing can cause frustration, confusion and a slew of other negative emotions to enter into the picture, chipping away at the relationship you have with your dog as you play the sniffing game.
In this episode, we discuss why people may rush, the various issues rushing can cause and what your instructor may be going through when you choose to rush against their best of intentions and advice.
Speaker:
Dianna L. Santos

Your Dog is Guessing

You read that right, your dog is guessing. Guessing what the Scent Work game is really all about. What they are supposed to be hunting for. What they are being rewarded for. What we want them to do!
In this episode, we discuss this reality and how we, as handlers and trainers, need to be as clear as possible with our dogs to help them truly understand the sniffing game we want them to play.
We pull upon this concept in more depth in these four webinars, outlining how being clearer in our training and practice sessions may avoid false alerts. Check them out:
Cause and Cure of False Alerts: Container Searches Webinar
Cause and Cure of False Alerts: Interior Searches Webinar
Cause and Cure of False Alerts: Exterior Searches Webinar
Cause and Cure of False Alerts: Vehicle Searches Webinar
Speaker:
Dianna L. Santos