Embracing the Grey

Our dogs regularly encounter and experience stressors, be it in their daily lives or when they are training or trialing in Scent Work. The number and type of stressor the dog must contend with at any one time will inform whether they can rise to the occasion or crumble under the pressure. Visualize a watermelon and wrapping a single rubber band around it. A stressor has been applied, but the watermelon is no worse for wear. However, if we then wrap hundreds or even thousands of rubber bands around that very same watermelon, the pressure has exponentially increased. There is a high possibility that the watermelon will dramatically explode due to the pressure being applied. In this episode, we dive deeper into this analogy and highlight the importance of identifying the unique rubber bands that exist for their individual dog. How can we accomplish this? By truly viewing our training and trialing scenarios from the dog's perspective. After listening to this episode, make a list of your dog's rubber bands and create a training plan to address each. We want our dogs to experience a stressor and then recover, not succumb to it! Speaker: Dianna L. Santos RECOMMENDED RESOURCES Become a Scent Work U Member to gain access to the Train Resilient Dogs in Nose Work event with Michael McManus. Releasing the Inner Dog Webinar with Bob Deeds TRANSCRIPT Click here to read the transcript Scent Work University hosts a large library of online courses, webinars, seminars, virtual events and eBooks all focused on Scent Work. No matter where you are in your sniffing journey, just getting started, building more advanced skills or trialing at the highest levels, we have a training solution for you! Become a Scent Work U Member to gain access to the Monthly Challenge with new monthly themes and fresh challenges every week, enjoy exclusive member-only events and discounts toward eligible enrollments. Interested in other dog sports, helping a new dog or puppy learn the ropes to be more successful at home and when out and about? Check out the Pet Dog U Program, where we offer a variety of online dog training services and resources you and your dog will love. #allaboutscentworkpodcast #scentworkjudges #noseworkjudges #rubberbands #scentwork #nosework #trainscentwork #trainnosework #alertscentworkpodcast #scentworktrials #noseworktrials #scentworkpodcast #noseworkpodcast #onlinescentwork #onlinenosework #virtualscentwork #virtualnosework #scentworku #scentworkuniversity

Scent Work Judges and trial officials offer a unique and informed perspective that can provide golden nuggets of brilliance and insights to competitors. Enter Scot Singpiel of the Alert! Scent Work Podcast, who interviews these experts from a competitor’s perspective. In this spotlight episode, we highlight what inspired Scot to create the Alert! Scent Work Podcast, his desire to learn as much as possible, a rundown of his future goals and his epiphany that Scent Work promotes growth on both ends of the leash, pushing handlers to become even more resilient than they thought ever possible. Give the Alert! Scent Work Podcast a listen today! Follow the Alert! Scent Work Podcast on Facebook. Speaker: Scot Singpiel Dianna L. Santos TRANSCRIPT Click here to read the transcript Scent Work University hosts a large library of online courses, webinars, seminars, virtual events and eBooks all focused on Scent Work. No matter where you are in your sniffing journey, just getting started, building more advanced skills or trialing at the highest levels, we have a training solution for you! Become a Scent Work U Member to gain access to the Monthly Challenge with new monthly themes and fresh challenges every week, enjoy exclusive member-only events and discounts toward eligible enrollments. Interested in other dog sports, helping a new dog or puppy learn the ropes to be more successful at home and when out and about? Check out the Pet Dog U Program, where we offer a variety of online dog training services and resources you and your dog will love. #allaboutscentworkpodcast #scentworkjudges #noseworkjudges #scentworktrialofficials #noseworktrialofficials #scentwork #nosework #trainscentwork #trainnosework #alertscentworkpodcast #scentworktrials #noseworktrials #scentworkpodcast #noseworkpodcast #onlinescentwork #onlinenosework #virtualscentwork #virtualnosework #scentworku #scentworkuniversity

Jason Heng is a longtime member of the Nose Work community, having traveled across the United States to compete with his dogs, who has trained and coached teams as a Certified Nose Work Instructor and has officiated trials both as a NACSW Certifying Official and Judge for many years. In this episode, Jason shares his observations both as a trial official and coach, particularly as it pertains to container searches. He discusses how trials have evolved over the years and ways teams have adjusted in response. Jason also highlights what he will cover in his upcoming webinar, Do You Have a Team Mindset? Webinar. For instance, how it could be more advantageous for teams to lean into their strengths, to do what works for them and their dogs, as opposed to attempting to do "all the things", obsessing about what went wrong or what not to do. Be certain to check out the Do You Have a Team Mindset? Webinar today! Speaker:

In this episode, we have the distinct privilege of speaking with Melissa McCue-McGrath about how she has used Scent Work training within her behavior modification programs, her participation in the Invasive Species Detection Study 2024 for the Spotted Lantern Fly and her upcoming book, Misadventures of the World's Okayest Dog Trainer. This discussion highlights the power of Scent Work, how it can not only build a dog's confidence, but deepen the relationship between dog and handler and that as an activity it encompasses so much more than competition or trialing. Speakers: Melissa McCue-McGrath Dianna L. Santos TRANSCRIPT Click here to read the transcript. Scent Work University is an online dog training platform focused on all things Scent Work. Our online courses, seminars, webinars and eBooks are not only for those who are interested in competition, but also for those dog owners who are simply looking for something fun and engaging to do with their dogs. Check out Scent Work University today! Interested in other dog sports, helping a new dog or puppy learn the ropes to be more successful at home and when out and about? Check out the Pet Dog U program, where we offer a variety of online dog training services and resources you and your dog will love. #allaboutscentworkpodcast #spottenlanterfly #detectionwork #invasivespecies #dogsareamazing #scentwork #nosework #trainscentwork #trainnosework #dogbehavior #dogbodybehavior #dogcommunication #scentworktrials #noseworktrials #scentworkpodcast #noseworkpodcast #onlinescentwork #onlinenosework #virtualscentwork #virtualnosework #scentworku #scentworkuniversity

Pressure exists in all our searches, both when we are training and trialing. The question is, what do we do with this pressure? How do we react to it? Should we avoid a pressure point or lean into it? The answer is not quite as clear as you may think. The approach one team takes may be completely inappropriate for another. Also, what a team does will likely change from search-to-search. The choices made are entirely dependent on your individual dog, yourself, your team and the situation at hand.In this episode, we discuss the challenge of giving blanket advice, how nuance matters and ways we can better assess what the pressure points are for our individual dogs, ourselves and our teams while determining which approach will work best. MENTIONED RESOURCES Scent Work U Community We are thrilled to be launching a new community which will focus solely on Scent Work. Tired of being bombarded by a million other things on social media? Come join fellow Scent Work aficionados, team up with a "sniffing accountability-buddy", get inspiration for your searches, enjoy more learning opportunities, celebrate your wins and more! Join the community here. Additionally, we will be launching a membership program in April which will add in another layer of learning and perks that we are super excited about. Stay tuned! Student Courses Are you looking for an intensive learning experience? Check out the new format for our Student enrollments which will promote even more interaction and learning between fellow Students and your instructor! Enrolling as a Student means you will enjoy the following: