Being highly goal-oriented, I am already looking ahead. I would really like for Pongo to compete at the Nose Work 1 Level (NW1). To earn the NW1 title, your dog has to pass indoor and exterior searches as well as a vehicle search all on the same day. Pongo has practiced both indoor and exterior searches, but we have never done a vehicle search.
I have a friend at school who just finished taking Intro to Odor with her dog. Yesterday, I texted her to see if she would like to get together to practice. We decided to do a vehicle search in the Target parking lot. We used my husband's truck since it is actually metal (my car is fiberglass) and you can stick things to it with magnets.
The truck parked for searching.
The odor is placed inside this rectangular metal tin with a magnet backing. There is a treat poised on top. We paired all of our hides today with food.
Here the odor was placed inside the plastic end tube from a poop bag roll, then put into a clip with a magnet backing.
Here the odor is in a plastic container with holes in the lid and placed in the wheel well.
Here the odor is in an empty seasoning bottle. I opened up the top and placed it on the back wheel.
My friend, Mary, and Crosby, her English Springer Spaniel, get ready to search.
Crosby showed us how it was done first. It was fun watching his enthusiasm! I had to laugh when he took the clip with the odor in the plastic tube off of the side of the truck with his mouth. What a sweet boy! Pongo has a much gentler approach, though it makes him hard to read. I am going to have to work on teaching him to give me a clearer "alert."
It was wonderful watching both boys work. It warms my heart to see how much they love it. I am in awe of their innate talents. Dogs are amazing. How incredibly blessed I feel to share my life with them!
Thank you Mary and Crosby for practicing with us today!
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