Nose Work in the Cold New Year

After ringing in the new year, Pongo had a nose work practice date with doggie friends Crosby, Lincoln and Daisy.  We met at Allan Yorke Park on a cold, Sunday morning.  The temperatures were in the low 30s and the ground was crisp with frost.  We tethered the dogs while we set up hides on the children's playground.

Pongo barks, "Let's get this show on the road!"

It was decided that Pongo should go first, since he was eager to get started.  There were seven or eight hides, all birch.  We had put out a combination of low and high hides, including some in the ground.  The odors were mostly hidden in metal, magnetic tins that we were able to attach to play equipment. But we also used some small, hollow, plastic stakes which hold your scented Q-tips and can be pushed directly into the ground.  Because it was a new search site for all of our dogs, we paired each of the hides with a treat. 

Pongo and I hadn't practiced in over a week and I was concerned that he might be a little rusty.  So I was amazed as he quickly located one hide after another.  We began to speculate:  does the scent pool stronger in the cold?  The answer is yes!  Air and scent molecules become more dense in cold temperatures, pooling in a higher concentration per square inch.  Here is a wonderful article that explains the science of scent in simple terms:  http://dogcare.dailypuppy.com/dogs-smell-scents-better-cold-4799.html.  Check it out for more info!

Crosby went next.  Crosby, who is about the same age as Pongo, has recently begun to lose his hearing.  While he used to do agility, he can no longer hear verbal commands.  His owner, Mary, started him in nose work last year as it does not rely on vocal trainer directions.  Crosby enthusiastically got right to work.  He, too, had quick success.

Crosby works scent on the ground.

 Crosby follows his nose up the stairs.

It was a wonderful way to start the new year with our dogs.  Though my friends and I are still novice nose work trainers, we are learning from our dogs each time we get together to practice.  Pongo and I look forward to more nose work in 2014.  Did Pongo make any New Year's resolutions?  Of course he did!  Pongo's goal is to start competing and earning titles this year.  But he's got to train mommy some more, who is still learning to read his signals. 

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Wishing You All The Best With Your Canine Friend In 2014,

May Your Year Be Full Of Outdoor Exploration Together!

Pongo and Eva