COUNTIES Dog Training Club

What is scent work

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Scent Work, inspired by the tasks of working detection dogs, provides a positive and engaging activity for dogs.

It taps into their natural sense of smell, allowing them to locate specific odours (smells).

As dogs and handlers work together, trust is built. In various environments, dogs use cues like pointing with their nose, or specific body positions to indicate a found hide.

Handlers guide and encourage their dogs during the search, and when the dog identifies an odour, the handler confirms it with the judge

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​What we offer

​We hold informal training every fortnight where we set up a range of searches and exercises/games to help with pin pointing and working through distractions.

​​To attend training you must be a financial club member and your dog must have been imprinted on odour – as a minimum they should know Cedarwood Atlas odour.

​​We don’t have any set imprinting sessions but do run these from time to time for those handlers who are new to scent work.

Imprinting sessions will be advertised to members when they are arranged

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When and where

Training is at the club grounds Kidd Elliot Park, corner of Linwood and Kidd Roads, Te Hihi every second Tuesday 6.30pm. 

Training will be confirmed on our Facebook group.

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​​​​What to bring with you

• A lead and harness (if preferred) 

• Food to motivate your dog (small pieces of sausage, cheese or similar) or your dogs favourite toy

• Don't bring... choke chains, or bitches in season

• Wear comfortable flat shoes suitable for outdoors

• Anything that you think could be useful or interesting to include in a search area

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Do's and Don'ts

• If your dog is unwell, leave him/her at home.

• If you have a reactive or aggressive dog please let your instructor know before the class starts so we can manage this safely.

• If your dog causes damage to another dog or person, and it is your fault, you are liable for any loss or damage incurred.

• Bitches in season are not allowed to attend classes, please keep yours at home.

• All dogs should be on a lead at all times, unless otherwise directed by your instructor.  

• Please, no smoking, eating or drinking during training.

• No dogs or smoking inside the club rooms.

• Do not feed your dog before coming to training, the dog will be uncomfortable working on a full stomach. 

• Try to get your dog to go to the toilet before training.  However, if your dog does toilet please clean up and place in the bins provided​​