Nosework

Basenji Training
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  • lvossL

    I have just recently started a new dog activity called Nosework. There are a few articles about it at this site, http://www.k9nosework.com/press.html

    The idea is to teach your dog to find target odors in various places. Right now we are just starting out so the dogs are just trying to find their bait bag hidden in one of several boxes. It is really neat to watch the different dogs work, they each have their own styles. It is also amazing how exhausting this work is for them. Each dog gets three turns to play the game in a session and as they get good at the game their turns are not very long, Sophie's 3rd turn tonight was all of like 20 seconds and yet she is curled up fast asleep now.

    This game is really fun and I would really recommend if there is a class or seminar in your area that you try it out. This game is even good for reactive dogs because only one dog is out at a time so they don't have to work around other dogs.

    If anyone else is giving this a try, let me know. I would love to hear how other people are doing.

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  • tanzaT

    This type of game is often used in OB training for fetching the dumbell for the retrieve excerise. Ann does it all the time with Crystal and Kobey

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • nobarkusN

    This is like tracking except the target isn't moving. They love this kind of game trying to find things. I see it just out on walks and Buddy will go crazy just trying to find some little piece of cookie or something a kid dropped that he got a slight whiff of.

    Buddy, Paolo and Dan

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  • MacPackM

    Wow, that looks wonderful. I guarantee my Nicky would excel, she can smell a biscuit crumb from across a 5 acre park!

    Anne in Tampa

    Chipley, Missy & Lucky

    Topper, Nicky & Eddie in the clouds

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  • wizardW

    I've also seen this called "tracking". One of the obedience clubs here offers this and I was thinking of seeing if Gossy would like it - if we can match times.

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  • lvossL

    Nosework is different than tracking though it is a related sport. The dogs are not following a laid track. They are brought into an area and must find a target odor, birch, anise, or clove, hidden in that area. At least that is the long term goal. At the beginning, we are using either a prized toy or treat as their target. It is sort of like the work a drug sniffing dog would do.

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    Puppy Nosework, Week 3

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    I am working with him on this as a game for us to play. Nosework is a very new dog sport but it is alot of fun and the founders have worked really hard to make it a sport everyone can enjoy with their dog and to make it a very positive experience for the dogs. I have been working my adults at it also. They really enjoy the game. We are working towards pairing the food with a target scent. Our first scent will be birch but that is still several weeks away for L'Ox.
  • lvossL

    Puppy Nosework, Week 2

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    Yes, L'Ox loves nosework. I love that it is so easy to work them and I get tired, satisfied dogs even after just a few searches. I am taking L'Ox's mom, Rio, to a nosework seminar on Sunday. It should be fun.
  • lvossL

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    lvossL
    I will try to be good and update each week so if you want to follow along you can. The things that you need is at least 5 boxes, one that should be labeled "Food" and is the only box that gets food in it, so the others aren't cotaminated with the food scent, treats that your dog really loves, and some different areas to work in. The first week the boxes are all in a line. Before I set L'Ox down to work, show him that I am putting the treats in the treat box then I do a "shell game" with the box, tapping it against the other boxes in the line and usually saying things like, "Where's your treat? Is it in this box? Oh, look at this box it looks so good." etc, and at some point switching the food box with one of the other boxes so that he doesn't just cue into the last box I was at and has to really work to find the treats. We do 3 searches in a training session and our goal for the week is to work in 5 locations. Mine will probably be the kitchen, the living room, the backyard, the school down the street, and at a friend's house. It makes things much easier if you have someone to help you but you can work by yourself using a tether or baby gate.