Introducing the Scent Stick

(ala Steve and Jen White)

We still use the scent sticks in our odor training. We like them because they help to quickly shape adaptation skills in dogs. Moving a scent stick up & down, side to side, under and back, etc., during target sessions allows rapid acquisition of 'anywhere, anyhow' skills. If a dog is limited to presentation of odor in only one location in the early stages of pinpointing and nose-to-odor distance training (the floor, waist high wall ports, etc.), or only in pants pockets on the body, for example, the dog will often default to what has the most reinforcement history, esp when stressed, confused, or unclear. You want the dog learning to follow its nose to any location of odor/scent concentration. This helps prevent 'fly-by' nose work because you are only reinforcing the best nose target behaviors at all heights and presentations in this early history.  JW

5 minutes in three sessions to introduce Lily to a scent stick.  Touch the canister - not the stick!  Slow and easy.

Comebefores:  L1 Target, Place, L3 Retrieve

Criteria:  Nose touch the canister.

Criteria: Stretch a little to touch the canister.

Criteria:  Stay on the canister until you hear the click.