N120J NW120 - Introduction to NW Search Elements

Week 1:

• Supplemental: Organizing your Scent Supplies
• Supplemental: Review of Foundation Games
• Baseline Assessment
• Introducing Other Qtip Vessels
• Exterior Considrations
• Tin Toss
• Intro to Exteriors

Week 2:

• Supplemental Lecture: Start Line and End Routines
• Handling Terminology and Approach
• Hide Placement: Accessible vs. Inaccessible
• Interior Hides Low and Slightly Elevated
• Threshold Container Hides
• Intro to Vehicles

Week 3:

• Introduction to Scent Theory and Air Scenting drills
• Expanding Exterior Search Area
• Introducing New Target Odors
• Introducing Novel Distractors in Trial-type Containers
• Working through Environmental Pressures - Corners and Tight Spaces

Week 4:

• Unintentional Distractions (critters, urine, people, drool)
• Novel Exteriors
• Building Duration at Source
• Expanding Vehicle Search skills
• Odor Volume

Week 5:

• Expanding to Multiple Vehicle Search
• Introduction to Multiple Hides
• Introduction to Sand Buried hides
• Introduction to Blank Areas
• Pooling Odor

Week 6:

• Deep Accessible Hides
• Expanding Multiple Hides to all Elements
• Introduction to Water Buried HidesBuilding Search stamina
• Mental Preparedness
• Assessing trial readiness/What to expect when trialing

Prerequisites:

NW101 (Introduction to Nosework) or equivalent. This class would also be appropriate for dogs needing to revisit search element foundation skills.

Equipment needed:

• Kit:
  • Birch oil (or whatever odor your dog will be searching for)
  • scented q-tips
  • Metal tins with holes (see picture below of more types of "qtip containers" we'll be using).
  • 2nd and 3rd odors for Week 3 lecture on introducing new odors (Anise and Clove for NACSW).
    • http://www.paws4fun.net/ (Target Odor Kit -or- Complete Odor Kit)
    • http://k9nwsource.com/ (Student Starter kit or Starter Kit Plus with "snap" tight container)
    • http://www.thek9nose.com/ (starter travel kit or Deluxe Scent kit)
    • http://www.allgooddogs.biz/ (Student Kit with single odor or Travel Kit Starter),

• Fun-Tak, Quake Hold, or glue dashes (to stick hides to surfaces, available online or in some department stores),
• White cardboard boxes (ORT standard), 10-15 cardboard boxes (various sizes). ~ 9x6x3 is a good size.
  • https://www.amazon.com/BOX-USA-BM962-White-Pack/dp/B01D9T2G3M/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?keywords=BOX+USA+BM962+9%22L+x+6+1%2F2%22W+x+2+3%2F4%22H%2C+White+%28Pack+of+50%29&qid=1573768416&sr=8-1-fkmr0
• Sterlite shoe boxes (can get at dollar stores) with holes in the top.
• A vehicle to search.
• Tasty treats that don't fall apart.
• OPTIONAL: Sand for buried hide searches (AKC) - a 50 pound bag will fill up 4 containers roughly 12x8x6.5 (6.5 qt). You can reuse your game boxes if they are about 6" tall, otherwise you might want to purchase a few more - think shoe box size.
• Rule book for the trial you will be training for.
  • NACSW http://www.nacsw.net/trial-information/trial-rule-book
  • AKC: http://images.akc.org/pdf/rulebooks/RSW001.pdf

We will start using other items to hold the qtips in for hide placement other than a tin. Here is a picture of some of the items we will be using. One of my favorite items to use are the flat heat shrink wrap tubes that you can get at your local hardware store.

Space required: None specified. Some people have asked about working outside in winter. We will cover exteriors and vehicles. However people in previous courses have found creative ways to introduce those elements in less than ideal conditions. This class, like NW101, is ultimately about obedience to odor - just work on getting that strong for the elements that you have access to and you aren't likely to have any trouble with the others!

Tin Toss Game

The Tin Toss Game is a fun, high-energy way to introduce outdoor searches on more distracting surfaces. It builds your dog’s focus on odor while channeling a bit of prey drive - and it’s easy to set up!

Why It Works

• Reinforces odor over environment, even when grass, dirt, or gravel compete for your dog's attention.
• Adds movement and excitement by letting the dog chase a moving target.
• Transfers to working odor outside.

Steps:

Toss and Send:

1. Stand into the wind for best scent flow.
2. Hold your dog’s collar or harness.
3. Toss the tin and release your dog while the tin is still flying in the air.
4. Follow your dog and reward generously at source.

Toss, Land and Send

1. Again, hold the collar or harness.
2. Toss the tin, let it land, then release your dog.
3. Follow your dog and reward generously at source.

Tip: A larger tin makes the game a little easier, but your regular training tin works fine.

If working outside isn’t an option, set up the game inside with bunched-up sheets and blankets.

• This creates texture and movement that mimic outdoor ground cover.
• It’s a great way to introduce the game while tapping into your dog’s natural prey drive.
• Once your dog understands the concept and is confidently chasing odor indoors, you can transition the game outside when conditions allow.

EXTRA CREDIT: Blind Hide Variation

For an added challenge, you will toss the hide when your dog is not looking.

• Toss the tin where you can see it but your dog cannot, or
• Toss it over your shoulder while both of you face away.

Here are class alumni Lisa and Rowdy tyring this variation. There steps are:

1. Warm up with a forward facing toss.
2. A few blind throws - blind to handler too!
3. End on an easy forward facing toss.