The Scent Sports Dog Training Center is currently being built. Once the building is ready, private training sessions will be offered. But distance learning is now available! And you are welcome to book an in-person session for a good weather day and we can work in my spacious driveway until the building is ready.
Most people who start out in a dog sport don’t even know what they don’t know. They focus on only what they think they need to know for the entry level of the sport. Scentwork is no different and MANY new handlers just want their dog to be able find one hide. Some even enter with ZERO training and the dog shows interest in the target odor because it is a novel odor in the area. Making the handler think finding target odors is easy! And the handler doesn’t yet realize just how fast the searches get more complex and that they require specific training.
A better way!
I have used my almost 50 years of teaching hundreds of people to train their dogs and my experience with Scentwork (I have been a Judge since AKC started taking applications!) and I have developed a skills based training program.
The foundation class is 6 easy steps to a solid alert behavior. It is a quick way to teach dogs to find target odors that focuses first on the SKILLS you and the dog need at EVERY level. The foundation skills that everything else can be built on. The skills and training that focus on rewarding pattern training instead of using shaping which tends to cause many beginner handlers and dogs to struggle. This alone can help eliminate or fix many of the issues that are caused by frustration and poor timing as well as the issues that tend to crop up later because what you thought you were teaching the dog and what the dog was actually learning were 2 different things!
By putting your valuable time and energy into these simple and fun foundation skills, learned in a way that keeps them easy to master at each of the 6 steps as the difficulty increases, you are both set-up for long term success. You have a very solid foundation to ‘build’ upon with the skills you need for both the entry level AND the more advanced levels. And once your foundation is built, each specialized skill you need for more advanced searches is presented in an easy, step-by-step format that clearly explains the skill to the dog to reduce or eliminate frustration and guessing and keep your smooth progress going.
Patterns are utilized to:
- Reduce stress and frustration at both ends of the leash
- Teach good habits
- Teach the dog to search independently
- To stay focused on the task
- Increase learning speed
- Use dopamine releases purposefully to build motivation
- To ensure that the dog is learning what we think we’re teaching him
- And to help the handler learn their own skills as quickly and as easily as possible. Even if you have no prior dog training experience.
Private Training Classes:
Check out the classes in more detail:
Other things that will be offered:
- Problem Solving
- Hide setting for success (in-person only) On-location assessments of potential hide locations and factors that can affect odor movement. Will meet at a local park or dog friendly business as a group class
- Run throughs A student poll will work out a set day/time when run throughs will be offered each week, with at least 2 elements offered.
- Games that work on skills (FS and SSS sessions are prerequisites)
- I may offer seminars from time to time as well
Cost & options:
In-person option will be 4 one-on-one sessions for $120 per dog (Cash, Check, Paypal or Zelle (add 3%) Located just off Rt 1 between Camden and Cassatt, SC. This includes some video review between sessions if needed. So if you need some clarity or run into a training problem between sessions, you can submit a short video for review or ask as many questions by email as you like. You’ll get a printed (or emailed) homework sheet for each step with private links to example videos of each exercise. Class length will vary based on the stamina of the dog/handler with 60 min. max. For most classes, the dog won’t be working/learning the full time, but the handler will.
Long-distance option– 4 private zoom sessions for $120 per dog (Paypal or Zelle (add 3%), or mailed check). If the drive is too far, but you still want private instruction, we can set up a short phone call to cover what gets taught in the step you’ll be working on (so you can ask questions to be sure you are clear about the assignment), you’ll get a digital version of the homework sheet emailed to you along with private video links to example videos, and then we can set up FOUR separate 45 min. maximum Zoom sessions where I can watch you do the training in real time and offer instant feed back. You must have a strong internet connection and set up a phone or tablet to show your training area during the zoom meeting. This could be done with a tri-pod or ideally a helper.
You can combine in-person and long-distance options as desired.
Single trouble shooting session– $35 (In-person or by zoom) If you just need advice on how to fix an issue you and your dog are having, this could be the option for you.
Training will be at your and your dog’s pace! Rather than a predetermined weekly curriculum that might leave you in the dust by the end of the class term, the training at Scent Sports DTC is laid out in a series of steps that each build upon the previous steps. And you can schedule a training session or zoom meeting when you need help or when you are ready for the next step. This also lets you schedule it when it is convenient for your schedule.
Scent Sports Dog Training Center 