All About Scent Work Podcast
Get ready to discuss all things Scent Work! Topics will be helpful for both companion dog owners and serious dog sport competitors. #allaboutscentworkpodcast #scentwork #nosework #scentworktraining #noseworktraining #scentworktrialing #noseworktrialing #scentworku #scentworkuniversity
Episodes
Thursday Aug 06, 2020
Being Smart About Equipment
Thursday Aug 06, 2020
Thursday Aug 06, 2020
When it comes to Scent Work, there are certain types of equipment for both dogs and handlers that are common and trendy. But does this mean that these would be a good choice for you and your dog?
In this episode, we discuss the importance of making smart equipment choices, how they may shift and change over time and the reasons why we should introduce certain types of equipment outside the context of Scent Work first.
Speaker:
Dianna L. Santos
Monday Jul 27, 2020
Thoughtful Trialing
Monday Jul 27, 2020
Monday Jul 27, 2020
When we are trialing with our dogs in Scent Work, there is no reason you should abandon the very same principles you have come to relay upon on in training simply because your trialing! Yet, time and time again, you will see competitors doing this very thing!
For instance, if you know a certain routine will set your dog up for success in training, you should absolutely try to use that same routine when you are trialing!
At the very least, this episode will get you thinking and consider how you can approach your trialing experiences more thoughtfully.
Speaker:
Dianna L. Santos
Wednesday Jun 24, 2020
Supporting, Crowding and Hindering
Wednesday Jun 24, 2020
Wednesday Jun 24, 2020
When we are doing Scent Work with our dogs, what WE do as handlers can have a large impact on whether our dogs can be successful or not.
In this episode, we discuss the topics of supporting, crowding and hindering with Michael McManus, in an attempt to better nail down what these concepts truly mean and how we can all be better handlers and teammates to our dogs.
Speaker:
Dianna L. Santos
Saturday Jun 06, 2020
Time for Empathy
Saturday Jun 06, 2020
Saturday Jun 06, 2020
The state of the world at the time of this podcast is tumultuous, painful and filled with heartbreak. So we are taking the time to challenge everyone in the Scent Work-training community, and the dog training, owning and loving community as a whole, to be better. Leverage your amazing ability to empathize and strive to better understand an alien species, meaning your dog, and apply those very same skills to your fellow human beings.
Now is the time for introspection. For self-improvement. To sit with this discomfort, to learn from it and try to propel our species forward in the right direction.
We hope that you give this episode a listen. All of us in this community have a skill set that can greatly help the populace as a whole if we choose to apply it, share it and practice it ourselves. If we all do our part, things can get better. Bit by bit.
Speaker:
Dianna L. Santos
Monday May 04, 2020
What is Failure?
Monday May 04, 2020
Monday May 04, 2020
When it comes to training and trialing in Scent Work...what is failure? Is there such a thing a complete and total failure? Or, is how we react to how something went while we were training or trialing affect our emotional state and that, in turn, feeds into the possibility of a total failure? Meaning, if we react horribly to how something went, does that reaction then lead to failure as opposed to what we are reacting to? Should we be shying away from failure or should we be including it in our training, to inoculate ourselves from that negative emotional response? If so, how do we go about doing this? Are there pitfalls doing this? Could we be souring a relationship between the handler and their dog? And if it is an instructor doing this, could they be potentially pushing their clients too far and souring that relationship?
These are some of the questions we discuss with Michael McManus of Ready, Sit, Go in this podcast episode. At the very least, it will get everyone thinking about what their perceptions of "failure" may be, whether they need to be adjusted or not and how it is important to be mindful of our approaches with long-term consequences in-mind.
Speakers:
Dianna L. Santos
Michael McManus
Friday Apr 10, 2020
How Smart Dogs Hunt
Friday Apr 10, 2020
Friday Apr 10, 2020
In Scent Work, we oftentimes harp on our desire for our dog to focus on one thing and one thing alone: the target odor they have been trained to find. But do dogs actually do this? Are they truly discounting the immense amount of information the environment at their disposal? Is doing so not only possible, is it preferable?!
We discuss this and more with Michael McManus of Ready, Sit, Go in hopes of painting a more honest picture of how smart dogs hunt (and all of our dogs are smart), why that matters and how we may need to adjust our expectations and how we train in response to these realities.
Speakers:
Dianna L. Santos
Michael McManus
Tuesday Mar 31, 2020
Ethology v. Interpretation
Tuesday Mar 31, 2020
Tuesday Mar 31, 2020
"My dog is distracted by the grass" or "My dog is not focused". These are common things we may hear others, or even ourselves, say when we are doing Scent Work. But what information does this really give us? Are we able to maximize on actionable plans on these statements alone, or are we missing a bigger piece of the puzzle?
In this episode, we discuss the differences between ethology and interpretation with Michael McManus of Ready, Sit, Go, delving into the advantages of using ethology to help in developing better training plans and approaches in Scent Work.
Speakers:
Dianna L. Santos
Michael McManus
Monday Mar 16, 2020
Trials Cancelled...Now What?!
Monday Mar 16, 2020
Monday Mar 16, 2020
Recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic, the purpose of this discussion with Michael McManus of Ready, Sit, Go is to delve into why people compete in the first place, how those people will cope with trials being cancelled nationwide while also highlighting ways handlers can use this time to further improve their skills during an otherwise unsettling and uncertain time.
The main takeaway should be that we will all get through to the other side of this. Use this opportunity to reignite your joy for the game of Scent Work and spending valuable time with our dogs.
Speakers:
Dianna L. Santos
Michael McManus
Monday Mar 16, 2020
Demystifying Pooling Odor
Monday Mar 16, 2020
Monday Mar 16, 2020
Pooling odor: a thing that competitors fret about in competition. But what IS pooling odor REALLY?
We sit down with Michael McManus of Ready, Sit, Go in this podcast episode to discuss this topic, how training approaches may affect a dog's ability to work through a pooling odor problem, how inaccessible hides may worsen the issue and much more!
Speakers:
Dianna L. Santos
Michael McManus
Wednesday Mar 04, 2020
Idols Need Not Apply
Wednesday Mar 04, 2020
Wednesday Mar 04, 2020
When it comes to teaching Scent Work, a great deal of harm can occur when idolization enters the mix.
We direct this episode to our fellow professional instructors and trainers, urging them to remember that they do NOT need to be perfect, that doing so distances them from their clients, and to reject any attempts of idolization since this can cause serious harm to the human and canine client. A thought-provoking episode for certain, but all topics every professional instructor and trainer should take to heart. We hope you enjoy it and welcome any discussions that may come from it.
Speaker:
Dianna L. Santos
Wednesday Feb 05, 2020
Scent Work is Not an Exclusive Club
Wednesday Feb 05, 2020
Wednesday Feb 05, 2020
With more and more people being introduced to the activity of Scent Work, it is important for all of us to remember that EVERY dog can do this activity and that this is NOT meant to be a special invitation-only type of exclusive club. Rather, Scent Work should be incredibly INCLUSIVE. We discuss why this is and how we as a community need to do better in this podcast episode. Strap in for blunt real-talk.
Speaker:
Dianna L. Santos
Sunday Jan 19, 2020
Definition and Key Rules of Scent Work
Sunday Jan 19, 2020
Sunday Jan 19, 2020
With the explosion of the popularity of Scent Work, it is important that we all understand what Scent Work actually IS, the difference between the competition element and the activity as well as some key rules for playing the game, especially when you are using target odors. There is a TON of misinformation out there, so in this podcast we attempt to set the record straight.
Speaker:
Dianna L. Santos
Saturday Nov 30, 2019
Why Humility Matters
Saturday Nov 30, 2019
Saturday Nov 30, 2019
Humility. Something everyone from instructors, trainers, trial officials and dog owners should be practicing. Otherwise, you're limiting your own potential! If you close yourself off from learning, you will stifle your own development that will eventually backfire on both yourself and your dog.
In this podcast episode, we discuss the importance of practicing humility in all things dog-training, but especially Scent Work. Hopefully, this will elicit some criticial thinking and discussions at the very least.
Speaker:
Dianna L. Santos
Friday Oct 11, 2019
Does Your Dog Really Know How to Hunt?
Friday Oct 11, 2019
Friday Oct 11, 2019
A disturbing trend trial officials are noticing coast-to-coast is that dogs do not seem to know how to hunt when they are going to trial. Instead of knowing what they are doing as they step to the start line, dogs are instead being lead...or dragged...around search areas and tripping over hides.
In this episode, we discuss this problematic trend, how an overabundance of trialing opportunities are opening up the possibility for more and more dog and handlers teams to rush to trial and a quick test you can do at home to tell whether your dog knows how to hunt or not.
We are not trying to disparage any training approach or school of thought. There are lots of ways to get to the same end goal. But that goal should be the dog tapping into their amazing sense of smell and be allowed to be a dog, not the handler taking over the search.
Speaker:
Dianna L. Santos
Monday Sep 02, 2019
Are You Having Fun...You Should Be
Monday Sep 02, 2019
Monday Sep 02, 2019
A disheartening trend happening at the moment is handlers and their dogs are NOT having fun when they are doing Scent Work. Instead, their training and practice sessions are riddled with stress, angst and frustration and this bleeds over to painful-to-watch trialing experiences. This activity is SUPPOSED to enjoyable for both YOU and YOUR DOG...if it isn't, you need to find out why.
We discuss this troubling trend, and spark some discussion about it, in this podcast episode. Ask yourself honestly: am I and my dog having fun playing Scent Work...and if not, why not?
Speaker:
Dianna L. Santos
Tuesday Aug 20, 2019
What Does All of This Mean?!
Tuesday Aug 20, 2019
Tuesday Aug 20, 2019
Nose Work. Scent Work. Detection. SAR. Tracking. Trialing. ... What the heck do all of these terms mean?! It is enough to cause someone to rip their hair out!
In this episode, we try to break down what each of these terms mean, where they come from and how they relate to one another. Is Nose Work and Scent Work really interchangeable? How does Detection and SAR relate to Nose Work or Scent Work...or do they at all? Where does tracking fit in? What about trialing?! For anyone who is more experienced, we also stress the important of remembering just how confusing all of this CAN be and the daunting amount of lingo associated with this activity.
Speaker:
Dianna L. Santos
Thursday Jul 18, 2019
Rehab Your Dog with Scent Work
Thursday Jul 18, 2019
Thursday Jul 18, 2019
Our dogs at some point in their lives will become injured. Maybe they have to undergo a surgical procedure or are coming off an illness. In any case, your dog will be laid up and your options of what to do with them may be limited. This is where Scent Work, or simply allowing our dogs to sniff, can take center stage and shine.
In this podcast episode, Dianna discusses how she used Scent Work to rehab her own personal dog and the importance of organizing searches and celebrations thoughtfully and carefully. At the very least, this episode should get everyone thinking about how they can apply Scent Work outside of simply getting their dogs ready to trial.
Speaker:
Dianna L. Santos
Saturday Jul 06, 2019
A Summit Trial Experience
Saturday Jul 06, 2019
Saturday Jul 06, 2019
Summit trials. One of the most challenging trialing experiences offered in all Scent Work competitions. A 2-day competition featuring expansive search areas, difficult hides and odor problems, and a system where only those competitors who are in the top 20% will earn a title.
In this podcast episode, we speak with Natalie McManus of Ready, Sit, Go to hear about her Summit Trial experience, what she thinks dogs and handlers need to do prepare to successfully compete at this level as well as some pros and cons of this type of trial. There is a TON of information packed into this short podcast episode that competitors at ALL levels would benefit from, so be sure to check it out!
Speakers:
Dianna L. Santos
Natalie McManus
Wednesday Jul 03, 2019
Trials...What Takes So Long?!
Wednesday Jul 03, 2019
Wednesday Jul 03, 2019
Competitors will oftentimes become flummoxed when their trials are going on longer than they had initially expected, the question being, "WHAT ON EARTH IS TAKING SO LONG?!"
In this podcast episode, we cover some of the reasons why a Scent Work trial may be taking longer than you expected. Additionally, we underline the need for everyone to recognize how difficult it is to put on a trial, that everyone involved is doing there best and how everyone needs to take a deep breath before we jump all over one another.
Speaker:
Dianna L. Santos
Tuesday Jun 25, 2019
Just Train For It: A Deeper Look
Tuesday Jun 25, 2019
Tuesday Jun 25, 2019
A slogan that is making the rounds as of late is, "Just Train for It!". This has come about in response to people claiming they are having difficulties at trials, especially when it come to potential distractions or distractors. Asking people to train for what they may see at trial is a sound principle on it's face...but is this slogan potentially doing more harm than good?
In this podcast episode, we discuss the inadvertent downsides to "Just Train For It", the need to be clear and thorough as well as how, as community, we need to reassess how we approach trialing and training. A ton of information jammed into one little podcast episode! Let's get to it!
Speaker:
Dianna L. Santos
Friday Jun 14, 2019
Winding Training Journey
Friday Jun 14, 2019
Friday Jun 14, 2019
No training journey is in a straight line. Regardless of whether you are a professional trainer, instructor or an experienced competitor, there are oftentimes turns, detours, about-turns and more.
In this episode, we speak with Lori Timberlake of Do Over Dog Training to learn more about her own personal training journey and highlight the importance of continual learning and building a strong foundation.
Speakers:
Dianna L. Santos
Lori Timberlake
Friday May 31, 2019
Aging Dogs and Scent Work
Friday May 31, 2019
Friday May 31, 2019
It can be difficult to think about, but all of our dogs are aging. As they do, we need to be careful and mindful of what we are asking them to do in regards to all of their activities. This includes Scent Work and is especially true when we are competing with our dogs.
In this podcast episode, we discuss some of those considerations, the way certain competition organizations are designed to encourage competitors to make good decisions on behalf of their dogs as well as how we can better design our training exercises to keep our dogs in the game and not in conflict.
Speaker:
Dianna L. Santos
Saturday May 25, 2019
Odor is Odor is Odor!
Saturday May 25, 2019
Saturday May 25, 2019
It may sound obvious, but odor is everywhere, NOT just within the realm of Scent Work. So, why aren't we leveraging this fact? Particularly if you are struggling on something in formal Scent Work? Wouldn't it make sense to present a non-formal Scent Work odor picture for your dog to work out, where they would need to hone the very same skills you would also need in Scent Work? That is what we talk about in this podcast episode!
Speaker:
Dianna L. Santos
Friday Feb 08, 2019
Triangulating is What?!
Friday Feb 08, 2019
Friday Feb 08, 2019
When you hear the word "triangulating", when we are talking about Scent Work, what comes to mind? "Nothing, I have no idea what you are talking about!". Fair enough.
In this podcast episode, we discuss what triangulating is, why dogs do it and how it drastically differs from when a dog may simply go back to a found they've already hide over and over and over again looking for free cookies.
Speaker:
Dianna L. Santos
Wednesday Jan 30, 2019
Cataloging: An Issue...Or Not?
Wednesday Jan 30, 2019
Wednesday Jan 30, 2019
Ah yes, cataloging. One of the most common complaints handlers have. "UGH! My dog is not telling me about the hides when they find them, they catalog first!". In this episode, we discuss what cataloging is, what it means when your dog is cataloging, why they may be cataloging in the first place and whether cataloging is really an issue, or a training hill you should die on.
Speaker:
Dianna L. Santos