By Heidi Clayton
All of my dog show friends are obsessed with the fastest-growing sport in the AKC called scent work. Scent work involves using a dog’s natural ability to sniff to find hidden smells in a variety of situations. Any dog can participate in an AKC scent work trial regardless of mix. Training a dog to do it is a great way to bond with your dog and mentally stimulate their brains.
Scent work involves training your dog to sniff out cotton swabs that are soaked in one of four essential oils. The oils used are birch, anise, clove, and cypress. A cotton ball is then soaked and hidden in small metal tins for your dog to find. Your dog is trained to sniff the tins out and to indicate to you that they have found the scent, at which time the handler tells the judge that the scent has been found.
There are two divisions of trials: the Odor Search Division, which involves sniffing out hidden essential oils; and the Handler Discrimination Division, where the dog searches for the scent of the handler. Handler discrimination is an advanced skill.
Trials are timed events and are scored with either a qualifying or a “q”, or non-qualifying “non-q.” Scent work trials involve container searches. This includes the tins being hidden in boxes, suitcases or briefcases. These searches are conducted inside and outside. Sometimes the scents are buried. When your dog gets a “q” at a trial, they are working their way towards the titles of Novice, Advanced, Excellent, and Master.
Scent work has become so popular that you can buy a premade scent work kit off of Amazon to begin training your dog on finding the scented oils yourself at home. Training your dog to sit and stay can become boring for the dog and the handler. A great way to bond and keep a dog’s brain sharp is to try scent work games by getting a kit or making your own and teaching your dogs to sniff on cue.
I have worked with many rescue dogs from the South that appear to be hound mixes who are shy and scared. Playing scent work games with them has not only helped them bond with their owners, but also helped them become more comfortable with their environment. Putting their nose to the ground to accomplish the task of finding a scent leads to more confidence. It also can show them the world is not as scary as they think.
Trials for AKC scent work are so popular that entry spots fill up within minutes of being posted. Anyone I know involved in the sport loves watching their dogs progress to the next level and is amazed at how brilliantly the canine nose works. If you’d like to get involved in scent work, visit https://www.akc.org/sports/akc-scent-work/.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining.net.
Heidi Clayton started Four On the Floor Dog Training to provide positive, reward-based dog training in South Jersey. She breeds, trains and shows bull terriers under the SoraBully’s Bull Terriers kennel name. Email questions to heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining.net or learn more at https://fouronthefloordogtraining.net
