tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52541160767478075352024-03-14T06:34:17.854-07:00HengTen K9Jason Henghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06845190203669394196noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254116076747807535.post-28169513544238001642017-08-15T14:11:00.001-07:002017-08-15T14:17:01.292-07:00To Pattern or not to Pattern?<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">What is a pattern
for nosework? </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Do you constantly required you dog to follow a structured pattern?
Should you require your dog to follow a pattern? These are all good questions,
and many of us ask ourselves these questions – often after reading comments on
our scoresheets or after a trial briefing. This is the one and only time I’m
going to answer the question simply with one word, but first I need a few 100 to
set the stage.</span></span><br /><br />What is a pattern? A quick search in the googles (the source of all human knowledge) and we have any number of definitions, we could use some or all of these to help us define what a “pattern” in nosework should be.<br /> <br />Google definition of “Pattern in math”. Things that are arranged following a rule or rules. Example: these tiles are arranged in a pattern. Another Example: there is a pattern in these numbers: 2, 7, 12, 17, 22, they follow a rule "start at 2 and add 5 each time"<br />Google definition of “Pattern in Art” is an underlying structure that organizes surfaces or structures in a consistent, regular manner. Pattern can be described as a repeating unit of shape or form, but it can also be thought of as the "skeleton" that organizes the parts of a composition.<br />Google definition of “Pattern in Geography” A spatial pattern is a perceptual structure, placement, or arrangement of objects on Earth. It also includes the space in between those objects. Patterns may be recognized because of their arrangement; maybe in a line or by a clustering of points.<br />
</div>
<br />But aren’t these patterns defined by the handler or maybe by our perceptions of the search environment? We either train it, direct it or choice it when we search. We believe it is efficient, so often times we choose to use a pattern. Whether it is or isn’t the most efficient for that particular search is left to be determined by the outcome. <br /><br /><br />To quote one of my favorite nosework philosophers let us, “ask the dog”. I’ve added 3 videos below of the same dog, which of these searches would have benefited from a more regular pattern, structure, consistent handling manner to make the search more efficient. <br /><br />Lexi – NW1 – Oklahoma <a href="https://youtu.be/MaSLcp3ua1E">https://youtu.be/MaSLcp3ua1E</a><br /><br />Well this is NW1 so 1 hide – it’s hard for me to see a pattern that would have altered the outcome in a more efficient way. But each dog doesn’t work the same in each search so we need to allow for the possibility that we might need to implement a pattern, right? I’ve had this at NW3 too but alas it was prior to being able to get trial video.<br /><br />Lexi – NW3 North Carolina <a href="https://youtu.be/lYzgtBeB_bc">https://youtu.be/lYzgtBeB_bc</a><br /><br />When I watch this video I see a very particular environmental challenge, large open room with lots of windows and a smooth tile floor. This makes me imagine that the odor has the potential to move, bounce and skid all over the place. It was also the last search of the day and all kinds of mind games were happening for me based on how other searches had gone. Would a pattern have helped us not miss one of the hides? Maybe, but if the dog likes to chase the odor then maybe letting this occur to a point would have helped her more. Or maybe just a bit more confidence to call what clearly was odor behavior - always much clearer when watching the video after the fact.<br /><br />Lexi – NW3 Colorado <a href="https://youtu.be/pDIG3v_bCrE">https://youtu.be/pDIG3v_bCrE</a><br /><br />It looks like I had a pattern in mind, did I deviate from that pattern. Again another particular environmental challenge – as I recall many teams missed the hide in the black/white box. If you didn’t pattern then you missed, I don’t know.<br /><br />If the choice to add a pattern provides more success then it must be the most efficient right? Or does it provide just a reinforcement to our bias that we covered the area in the most efficient way. Both of these are possible, in one search a pattern may be the most efficient way to cover the search and if your dog thrives on this structure or as in the professional world – your job depends on a clear structure defined by the duties of the job then I would say a pattern is quite beneficial. However if you have limited time, limited experience with particular environmental factors working on the odor and your dog either hasn’t been exposed to a defined pattern or your dog has a tendency to chase, play and work to solve the puzzle at hand, then the pattern may not be the best choice. <br /><br />Another of my favorite nosework philosophers once said in a trial briefing (paraphrasing) “I can’t tell you if you should work or pattern or not, but I can tell you, you should find a way to map your search that helps your team be successful”. A handler pattern choice is a tool and we should be able to use that tool, we should also be able to adapt and still find our way without a definitive map. Can you let go of the pattern once you employed it, and you change during the search and pattern an area to find success. If success is being fastest – then for some searches a dog choosing to work it their way, can not only be the most efficient but also the fastest that day. If you were to choose to pattern in a search such as this it would undoubtedly make you not efficient. What about off leash? Or not container searches? Can we say the same, is it harder to implement or abandon a pattern search? <br /><br />So back to our question at hand, to pattern or not to pattern – answer is “Yes”, however and there is always a however. The real question is “when should you choice to implement a pattern and which pattern should you use and when do you break from the pattern?” <br /><br /><br />PS – For those of you that say I just follow my dog, what happens when the environment forces you to work a pattern, a no return search, small areas or limited time where you only have time for one pass of the search area? Can your dog cope with the direction from the handler? Can you? To an extent, I’d be right there with you with one of my dogs – and it is excruciating for me to just stand there in the search with the time floating away when my dog is working a problem of his choosing, but sometimes I can see the desire, fun and determination in my dog to get that hide and to step in and direct him away is like taking ice cream away from a child.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br />Jason Henghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06845190203669394196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254116076747807535.post-71937873424479975392017-08-14T11:15:00.000-07:002017-08-14T11:15:40.162-07:00Let's play small ball<div class="MsoNormal">
When I seek out some training from someone I really
appreciate the small, observant and constructive analysis of my own handling,
how my dog worked and the juxtaposition of the how my handling and how my dog
worked fits together. The nosework training process is many times about finding
the things that you can improve on! We might think that is improving on our dog’s
sourcing, dog’s communication or strengthening the dog’s stamina. This however
is not always a clear path once you are working at an advanced trial level.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Being a bit contrarian I would suggest it is really about
improving our skills and training. We need the best observation skills to read
out dog’s body language. We need the best memory to remember if we have covered
large complex search areas effectively and completely. We need to become students of the wind, the
dynamics of how odor moves in different environments and how to set out our
training aids to help us learn more. We need to develop these skills
dynamically over time for better abilities when we work a 2<sup>nd</sup>, 3<sup>rd</sup>
or 10<sup>th</sup> dog. We can learn how to work differently with that next dog
all in an effort to become better. If you are teaching then being open minded
to different ideas and seeking out others perspectives for improving our
instructor skills. We need to never lose sight of making this fun for the dogs,
but fun for us too. That doesn’t mean that there is no stress in competition
but it’s about working hard to make our practice enjoyable and worth the time
have invested – “if you are not having fun, stop, and change your tactics!” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the most often theme of questions I get; during,
before and after trials is “could I have done something else to get that hide?”
I’ve asked myself that question too –
the answer is always a complex dissection of the search; area missed, missed
COB, dog blew by the hide, environment was difficult, dog was; tired,
distracted, un-focused, to focused on handler, needed support, etc. The list
goes on. But the questions is also framed by the test of day. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The test of trial day – each search has a time limit – that
time limit is derived prior to each team setting out on the search, therefore
in many cases it has very little to so with a team’s ability to find all the
hides. Think of it as an average, on average most teams will find all the hides
in a given time limit. Some teams will miss a hide, maybe not having enough
time. Or a team will excel and get 1<sup>st</sup> with plenty of time to spare.
Or maybe the average was off and most teams end up missing 1-2 hides. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Instead of concentrating on the big picture of the trial let’s
play some small ball. I’m a baseball fan – I watch the playoffs most years and
I enjoy going to a game. I’m not a fanatic about sports (except nosework) but
there are many things about baseball that speak to a proper perspective of
competition. The long season creates a misconception of what are the fundamentals
that are needed, the number of home-runs doesn’t mean much if don’t make it to
the playoffs. We are a part of a team but rely on many individual achievements,
there is a bigger perspective to concentration on, but the small skills make a
big difference; fielding, throwing, catching and hitting are small skills but
are critical to overall team performance. I’m also reminded of a traditional
style difference between leagues, I didn’t even know how true it was; – the National
League; hits more home runs, and American League steals more. The folk lore of
baseball is more of a perception of the league differences (actually over the
past hundred years it is pretty even and not really that much difference). I
like the analog, regardless of its literal accuracy. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So let’s play some small ball, we focus on our “small” fundamental skills. I’m not meaning we stop having fun but mixed in we should be focusing
on the handler skills to improve each search. We do this with our dog’s skills
to by how we practice, to many inaccessible hides and we may end up skewing
what our dog thinks is acceptable alert at source. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The HengTen of small ball – <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ol>
<li>Reward as close to source in your practice so that when
you don’t, it doesn’t affect the dog’s perception of what is important. Or if
you train to not reward as source – figure out the process required to
strengthen the dog’s understanding of what is required to be successful.</li>
<li>Timing is a continual process of matching the dog’s
arrival at source with your reward timing, sometimes it will be before, after
or dead on – but the goal is to build the drive to work to source by achieving
better reward timing overall. Sometimes throw the treat, or wait, or reward more.
It’s all in an effort to not be like trial but to build timing skills.</li>
<li>Work on your leash skills to not impede the dog’s
choices. It doesn’t mean you can’t run, stumble, use leash restraint, have a
wad of leash in your hand, cue your dog through leash movements, etc. But you
should work to do these things less that end up causing unintended learning for
the dog. </li>
<li>Work to understand
our cues, not in an effort to become mind numb robots that don’t cue our dogs,
but instead to build the understanding of these cues so that we recognize when
were are doing them.</li>
<li>Be a student of our dog’s body language – not only when
they are working odor, but a good understanding of that that body language is
when they are working novel and everyday scents.</li>
<li>Look for opportunities to learn about how odor works in
difference environments. Seek out opportunities even if it’s just watching the dog
work a problem.</li>
<li>Learn how to manage our search time, work on our
understanding of how long 30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes and 3 minutes feels
like under trial pressure.</li>
<li>Be constructively critical of ourselves, when we make
mistakes work to improve for the next time and the time after that. Don’t
expect things to be the same all the time and learn to grow our skills.</li>
<li>Seek out others and choose to gain from their
experiences, perspectives and knowledge. Use what can be valuable in that
moment and save other skills for another time or for another dog.</li>
<li>Never doubt the capability of the dog but instead
question what we may have contributed in that moment that led to the results. If
you see a type of hide that a dog struggles with – find a way to alter your
perceptive so the dog can solve a similar types of puzzles.</li>
</ol>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- When we hit a home-run – celebrate because it is a
wonderful achievement. There is some learn in that too, but don’t forget to celebrate!
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Jason Henghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06845190203669394196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254116076747807535.post-27898357358999084312016-07-05T13:28:00.000-07:002016-07-05T13:28:13.291-07:00Find your PACE
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Find
your PACE</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Each
time I trial, observe others trialing or practicing for that matter I have been
struck lately about how many times we are out of sink, out of step, or just
plan not on the same page with our dogs during a search. Under trial pressure we
are excited and moving quickly, pushed by the time of the search clock only in
our own minds anyway. I’m not immune I routinely find myself moving to quickly
or I feel like my dog is pulling me more often than not during in a particular
search. Many questions come to mind; do you run with your dog?, are you pulling
or trying to moving them along?, did you call it to quickly?, could you have
called it sooner?. These are all “PACE” issues to me and they are big;
Patience, Attitude, Communication and Experience.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">For many, the first time we trial, our </span><u><span style="font-size: x-small;">P</span></u><span style="font-size: x-small;">atience
is the key to our trial success. Giving our dogs enough time to completely work
out a problem or rather – not calling “Alert” at the first change of behavior
we see in our dogs. Sometimes this means not even at the first point at which
the dogs “decided” to make a decision. For example our dogs encounters odor and
gives a; “look”, “starts to sit”, “paws” or some other communication response
in the presence of odor. With patience our dogs then drive into the source of
odor and we can clearly see that they have found a find. Even if out dogs have
been clear early in their trial career, later they may need more time to work
out more complex odor problems. This is an ongoing challenge every time we
trial, it falls along a continuum, what happened early on doesn’t stay constant
later when we encounter multiple hides or even at the Elite level when there
can know be 5,6,7+ hides in multiple searches. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Our </span><u><span style="font-size: x-small;">A</span></u><span style="font-size: x-small;">ttitude when our dog's pattern changes, be it; speed,
consistency and our perceptions of how they worked that problem can sink a
search very quickly. If you are trialing at Elite and get a “no” for the first
time and become flustered, caught off guard as to if you continue working that
problem or move on to another area can be very challenging. Since I heard “no”
some many times at NW3 it was less about the attitude and more about my/my dog’s
ability to adapt in the moment that made the clear difference. In one case, my
dog clearly said no I want “THIS” hide and I’m not leaving until I get paid for
solving the problem. Finding 1 hide out of 4 in the 2:30 minute in which many
of the teams found 3-4 hides was a particular challenge to our attitude and
adaptability. It can challenge a team on either end, if the dog looses drive to
complete the problem after hearing a “no” then how can you motivate them to
work – it becomes about your attitude. It is the same problem for all levels,
whether you are going into the next search after hearing a “no” or working at
the Elite level and still have several minutes to work an area.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><u><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">C</span></span></u><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">ommunication is required from our dogs, for us to be able
to call “Alert”. Maybe it’s very clear, or very subtle, if you expect the
communication from your dog to be clear and you find yourself in a search and
the communication has become very subtle, our ability to over come that is
difficult. Remember back when your dog was working NW1 and they came into the
search and ran directly to the container and slapped it with their paw. If you
had never seen that before, you would have been tormented by the thought of
calling it having not gone to any other boxes. “My dog has never done that
before” is an ongoing theme after we trial, and we may not understand the dog’s
communication in these situations. In some cases it was odor, in some cases it
was the dog’s frustration that caused them to sit at that box. Then throw into
the mix how much we are communicating to them with “clues” developed in our
practice – even if we didn’t realize we were communicating to them, we are. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><u><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">E</span></span></u><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">xperience solves all of these problems right? I
hope so, I’ll let you know when I have enough experience were I can say that.
It is a dynamic model where our dog’s and our experience are changing each time
we practice and compete. I had a problem with a high hide, so I worked some high
hides with another instructor and my dog worked them well and didn’t seem to
have a problem at all. Then I worked with another instructor and my dog
obsessed about a phantom high hide in a search were it wasn’t that high. Not
all experience is created equal, leaving a hide behind in a trial search might
have compounded effect us or our dogs. We think we have found a gap in our
training and then proceed to work (over work) that type of problem only to give
our dogs the impression that this is the expectation for the next search. If we
concentrate too much on one experience it can teach things we didn’t intend to
give so much weight. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">When I have an off day, it often seem like I was
out of step with my dog, I called it quickly or imagine the NW3 first search of
the day and you hear “NO” on the first hide you called (done more that once by the way). Being able to recognize that you need to alter your
PACE to build some successes for the next trial or search is important. That is
one extreme, but it can just be the morning versus the afternoon, recognizing
that your dog is not the same as they were for those morning searches,
adjusting your expectations for the afternoon(or each successive search can be a significant trial
challenge. In some respects this is even more possible for Elite trials where a
short time limit search with a range of hides can be juxtaposed with another
search where you have 5+ minutes and an unknown number of hides. Try to concentrate less on the things you missed and concentrate on how to achieve the best understanding of how each dog works. I'm not suggesting you practice a "type" of problem that you missed, but remember that the more you focus on that one problem we might be pushing our practice to an far end of the pendulum. Have we
learned to adjust our pace in all those other trials; element specialty, nw1,
nw2, nw3. Where we can use our experience in reading the dogs communication and
have a good attitude and patience in each search, and achieve a consistently changing pace!. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><br /></span>Jason Henghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06845190203669394196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254116076747807535.post-22828187083057088812016-05-22T19:35:00.002-07:002016-05-23T11:50:17.876-07:00Find your "Tell"My dogs know me better than I know myself. Each one of my dogs is student of me, they study me and everything I do. Recently read another blog - by Roger Abrantes - PhD in Evolutionary Biology and a great speaker, trainer of people and animals. Here is the quote from Roger, "If you ask me today, I'll answer you without hesitation that the most powerful tool you have when working with animals is yourself. If you control yourself, your body language, your facial expressions and the little you say, you'll achieve what you pretend and more." <a href="http://ethology.eu/the-most-powerful-training-tool/">http://ethology.eu/the-most-powerful-training-tool/</a><br />
<br />
I can imagine playing poker with my dogs, I would loose every time. Why? Because they have the advantage (they are cheating), they read our expressions, movements, body language. It sometimes looks like they read our thoughts being so good at reading the slight deviations we make in our movements. How do they do that when the are not looking at us? Don't forget they have what nears 250 degrees of vision among such a keen senses to read our body language that we might as well have shown them our cards before we even started playing a hand. <br />
<br />
So where do this leave us with nose work. Ha, we are doomed, just kidding, but do you know your tell? - Because, I bet your dog has. So here is the test, attached is a video from a trial I did last fall in Oregon, our first Elite trial. I've split it up into 3 parts so you can see my body language for 3 separate hides. Can you read my tell? <a href="https://youtu.be/5R5cGSEUNkc" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/5R5cGSEUNkc</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyVpdWpSRuyCv2CPx9v6v5YJhjM_gz1sv4jLC1u3LtET_xitUrx9m1EawePfB4Cil8b8KK-eIQUx2D1IIqj8g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
It doesn't matter the level you are at, your dog is learning how you work they are studying your every movement and learning all they can. Are you doing the same about their movements? They also have a head start because they are using the language they are fluent in. So you better step up you game. So I'm suggesting you change try to eliminate your tell, maybe. Humans fall into routines, we get comfortable in our patterns, just ask yourself if you could change anything in your life that is routine.<br />
<br />
My current hypothesis, our dogs are so good at reading us that our body language, that it's better than any conditioned reinforcer we might use while working with our dogs in nose work, the facial expression of "excitement" when we see our dog complete a scent puzzle is virtually instantaneous. Or the leash adjustments we make in preparation of calling "alert", if you found my "tell" you might imagine the my dog already knew he had solved the problem. In all 3 segments of the video I drop my arm off the leash in anticipation of switching the leash or in order to get the treats out of my back pocket. I now understand why I am a terrible poker player. Find your "tell" and see where it leads you. <br />
<br />Jason Henghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06845190203669394196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254116076747807535.post-78917138915522192662016-05-19T08:56:00.000-07:002016-05-23T11:56:14.841-07:00The Dynamics of the Trial Search<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Each
search only happens once. You step to the start line maybe with a slight pause
and then proceed into the search area with your dog leading the way. The search
you have just entered will never be repeated again, you and your dog will gain
some bit of learning from that search and if you ran it again and again, it
would be different – conditions, pace, knowledge, etc. This is what makes each
search a dynamic process. The dynamics are captured in video and it is very exciting
to view the video that has started to be taken at trials for purchase by
competitors. Most of us don’t have photographic or eidetic memory, and even for
those who can remember much of what they do during a search it is unlikely that
you would remember everything. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Did you start reaching for a treat before you
called alert? <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Did you move in such a way to restrict your dog’s
path to odor? <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Did you allow your dog access to every container? <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Did you have a pattern, or did you look like you
had a pattern in covering the search area?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">In
the analysis of each search I often think of what I could change, and the one
thing I keep coming back to is that I can only change “me”, well the choices I
make the next time. It is not easy, either, replaying the search and thinking
about what area I didn’t cover for example is not always a simple question. The
video is the best challenge to this hindsight analysis within our minds. It
gives us a series of imagines that go far beyond an eidetic memory. What video
can’t show is what we are thinking in each moment, but that is probably less
important that observing what we are doing in each moment. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Before
we get to the deconstruction of the video lets describe a successful search. For
NW3 one factor is missing, we are not told the number of hides ahead of time –
I would pose that a successful search is any search that we work with our dogs
and find 1-3 odors and call finish (or call finish after finding no odor if it
is a clear room). Note; I’m not sure it makes the search any more successful if
we find all the odor there is to find, that only matters for the possibility of
a title at the end of the day for NW3. I’m twisting it a bit but most of us
would agree that if we called a “false” then we would immediately feel that
would not have been a successful search. Why because we no longer have the
opportunity to get a title? It’s only when we are given the knowledge of how
many hides were present in each search area at the end of the day that we can
determine with 100% confidence that we miss something or found everything. So I
would say that if we complete each search, where the handler/dog team find and
call correctly as many hides as possible in a given time limit and call finish
– we have successfully completed that search. Now don’t get me wrong, come the
end of the day if we missed a hide – I might reevaluate the success of that
search – but that is in hindsight after being given all the information. Some
days we(handler and dog) will be at our best and find all the hides and title
and some days we will be not at our best and miss, false and not title or maybe
just by chance or maybe our dog carried us that day and we will title anyway. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Your
immediate evaluation of the search directly after can be a tough place on the
day of trial, if you are doing back to back searches then if you replaying the
prior search you might lose focus in the next one. That is something that you
might need to change. Working to get ourselves refocused before every search
can be important for the outcome we are seeking. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">So
after about 50 trials with all my dogs I have started to get the trial video
on a consistent basis. With just a few videos of Atlas(2 Elite trials) and the first few videos of
Bailey and I working(2 NW3s and now our first Elite), I can know start some objective criticisms of the choices
I’m making in trials. I’m struck by the snap shot of the video, it’s a narrow
focus but not quite as narrow as the trial photos. In the past I would spend
time after trial photos were posted looking through all the dogs and wondering
if the handler positioned them selves out of choice, pattern or something else in each
photo. I would look at how the dogs communicated each hide and sometimes review
photos from trials I haven’t even attended to see if I could read when the dog
was working odor versus not working odor. Here is the one search (NW3 from
February) – if you don’t know the outcome watch and see if you can decide if it
is successful, both by your definition and by mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did we find all the hides? <a href="https://youtu.be/7euIsTZWEVo" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">https://youtu.be/7euIsTZWEVo</span></a></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxloG_5VgnM9DtU3U7lrDvCoJ6n67Kzx1Gs2WZ-mhszVVY8vNDfGykfik6vlo4URHcFyDNgOUyfHlCqGe6Anw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Normally I might ask myself if I covered all the containers although I don't think that is always necessary, or if I pulled my dog off any containers? If you get the chance to get trial video of your runs, I think it can be a very valuable tool as part of our training. Could I have called finish sooner? Did it look like from reading my body language that I knew where the hide was that I didn't call the first time? I have a whole set of questions that I have started to compile for each video I watch. Now the most difficult assessment is not to be to hard on myself of the choices I made in the moment of the trial search. This process is also not meant to distract me from the next trial, but instead to find the success and see if there are opportunities to improve, to see the dynamics of each search and to learn for my choices. In the end the only chance to run that search again is when I press play on the video. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-small;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
Jason Henghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06845190203669394196noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254116076747807535.post-40728940255410308992016-02-01T15:32:00.003-08:002016-02-01T15:43:21.354-08:00Learning is Fun! - CNCA / NACSW symposium<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Building
enthusiasm for training is always a fun result of an experience. I had the
pleasure of attending two days of lectures at a symposium create jointly with
the NACSW – National Association of Canine Scent Work and CNCA – California
Narcotics Canine Association, which brought together the two organizations for
the inaugural Civilian K9 Conference featuring key presenters from the
professional detection and K9 Nose Work® communities. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Reflecting
on the lectures and thinking about what information I could share with the
teams I coach that would help them in their training. It has been occupied my
mind as I traveled home. First the entire symposium was invigorating for me and
my own thoughts about training, not only did I get hear some great speakers. I
had the opportunity to talk with many of my fellow K9 Nose Work trainers – with
about 100 in attendance. Many of the speakers were limitedly familiar with our
sport and incredibly open with sharing information; everything from talking about
how they look at; nutrition, tracking, selecting dogs for detection(narcotics
and explosives), patrol, suspect apprehension or detection for other
disciplines (finding endangered species). One might get the impression that much
of the information wouldn’t be relevant, but that was not the case, it was a
giant jigsaw puzzle of information to fit into what I teach in K9NW or in other
areas in the desire to expand general knowledge about dogs and professional
occupations related to dogs. In an effort to share some information, I will try
to paraphrase some the highlights in the hope that it will help the teams I coach.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><u><em><strong>“Pay
the hunt”</strong></em></u> – This was a running theme, if planned or not, most of the speakers
touched on it, some describe practical applications or how they accomplish it
with dogs starting out. For class purposes we cover reward timing a lot. We can
only perceive through our observations of the dogs what works the best for each
of our dogs. Through repeated “hunting” for odor we reward our dogs for desire
to hunt; to build more drive, to build stamina, to build problem solving, to
build communication. One of the speakers talked about rewarding his “green” dog
for just a “change of behavior”- just the recognition of the track he had
provided. We many times categorize our reward as early or late but we are still
rewarding the hunt of our dogs. The reward timing is a function of what we see
and our response to the perceived communication from our dogs when they have
recognized odor, acquired an edge, tracking odor, chasing odor away or towards
source, and narrowing in on source. We make mistakes in our timing; in fact several
videos in the presentations pointed that out. A trainer saying “the timing
sucked”, or “can you see the mistake made”. It seems like a small thing to
point out but for me it was the biggest compliment to what we are all working towards,
better timing, pace, and coordination with what our dog needs from us to learn
what we desire from them. We have companion dogs but we are still paying the
hunt, building it to overcome environmental distraction, etc. I don’t think I
heard one speaker said they were paying the find, in their videos of the professional
dogs the payment was for the process leading up to, and sometimes before the dog
acquired the source of odor. Or in the case of having to tell the handlers
about an odor away from source because of the job requirements, the dog’s desire
and tenacity to hunt was very clear and handler/trainer skill in working with
the dogs was great to see on video.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><em><u><strong>“The
dog’s job”</strong></u></em> – Leave it to Amy Herot - co-founder of the NACSW to make some powerful connections about what
we are training in K9 Nose Work® and how that relates to the other professional
trainers and presenters. I’m paraphrasing again, “what was your dog selected to
do?” That was the question set on the table – personally I didn’t choose my dog
to do nosework. I was looking for a pet and companion, a dog to hike with and
enjoy the outdoors, to be a running buddy. As Amy pointed out most of the dogs
doing K9NW were not “selected” to become a detecting dogs, they were selected
to be companions, do agility or other sports, or sit on the coach. Well that
doesn’t mean you don’t have a dog that has been trained to do a “job” detection
of odor-birch, anise or clove. The first presenter spent several hours going
through how he selects the dogs, a series of 3 days test that he designed to
measure the dogs natural and trained abilities to accomplish all the tasks he
believes are needed from him to produce the best working dogs, based on his
years of experience. So what he doesn’t have is the luxury of time, in fact many
of the speakers did highlight this point. They noted that we as nosework trainers
have made an enormous investment in time to produce great hunting dogs. We have
accomplished our goals through time and perseverance. I listened to that first lecture,
to the list of tested tasks and thought about when I started nosework in 2011. I
don’t think anything described in the test would have been accomplished by my
dog, but we were still able to make a great deal of progress in nose work. Many
of the nose work judges have expressed the surprise, respect and appreciation
for all the different types of dogs doing their “job” on trial days. So think
about what your dog was able to do the first day you tried nosework and where
they are now. That is now another “job” your dog has, but they are still have
job 1 – companion, and they are even better at that even when they are counter
surfing. </span></span><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><em><u><strong>“Dog
gets to choose the best reward”</strong></u></em> – A quote from one of the lectures that the dog
should be choosing that is the best reward. Now start thinking are you paying
your nosework dog with their “best reward”? I hear it already – “no I would
need to put squirrels in the boxes”. We are talking toys and food – but the
same process should be happening, what would my dog choose? You may have done
this at the beginning put different toys or various treats while your dogs were
starting to learn the game. Has that reward changed, have you varied the reward
as you gained experience, did you let each dog choose, or use the same treats
for all your dogs. I’m not alone in forgetting to vary the reward or over time
make sure I’m paying with the best reward for my dog. Think about creatively,
it might change over time or given the conditions of the search. It was such a
simple idea and the extensive description about how to get the dog to choose
and various professional agencies use different processes in the selection of
the dog. Unfortunately I don’t have lecture to play again, but I found the
simplest concepts to be the most powerful and relatable to what nosework is
about. One of my dogs was ill for several weeks, feeding tube, etc. She pulled
through which I was very happy about but didn’t seem very interested in hunting
for odor just after the illness. She will do anything for her ball and so it
was search time for the ball, search time with the odor and ball together. The
dog is very motivated to search and likes food – she is a <st1:place w:st="on">Labrador</st1:place>,
but because I’ve used food with the other dogs it was more convenient to use
food. I had used the ball but it was not my primary choice, so bringing it back
to “dog gets to choose the best reward” are you listening to what your dog is
telling you? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-small;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black;">There was a great deal of information shared
and that was the best part of the conference. The willingness and openness of
the speakers was wonderful and to share their personal and professional experience
with an enthusiastic group of civilians that just so happen to be fanatics
about training their K9NW detection dogs. I’m looking forward to the next time
even more. You could see the excitement of everyone involved in the desire to
learn more. Thanks to all involved from the CNCA and NACSW for creating such a worthwhile
educational opportunity.</span> </span>Jason Henghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06845190203669394196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254116076747807535.post-29401097568739891602016-01-19T15:13:00.004-08:002016-01-19T15:13:31.261-08:00The Scent dimension – not seen by the handler
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">We
don’t have glasses that can see the scent our dogs are hunting for, and that
means our primary sense – vision puts us at a handicap for the analysis of the
decisions our dogs make while working odor. I’ve heard several analogies used
to describe how the dogs work, trying to relate it to our visual world. Ron Gaunt
once (paraphrasing) articulated it as a room where all objects are mirrors,
(fun house style). So imagine each chair, table, wall, and door is made out of
mirrors reflecting the visual spectrum back as us. How many of use would run
into things, as we observe our dogs doing as they work odor. We have all seen
it, where out of the blue the dog turns quickly and “smack” into the bottom of
a chair or table leg. The dog seeking odor is in an unseen dimension of sorts,
and not always the same for each dog. Where one dog runs into objects another
leaves the threshold and goes directly to source, without any delay. Each dog
is similar and yet different based on that dog, their experience and changes in
the environment. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Imagine
we could design a scent Rorschach (</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rorschach_test"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rorschach_test</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">)
test to give to our dogs. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjOynEerkVmgWmNh9XCEUHD9MNKl5WMc2ClR8l1annBL_oABq86ofiVAc8T7nB_O-OzpLHvPVfbM8wMwB98g6OIrPz0FUykJ5SL_EdvFTt8EBSsJMXKO6BMjC9d2YM9b6EOsVDqBADaU/s1600/160px-Rorschach_blot_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjOynEerkVmgWmNh9XCEUHD9MNKl5WMc2ClR8l1annBL_oABq86ofiVAc8T7nB_O-OzpLHvPVfbM8wMwB98g6OIrPz0FUykJ5SL_EdvFTt8EBSsJMXKO6BMjC9d2YM9b6EOsVDqBADaU/s1600/160px-Rorschach_blot_02.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">One dog would see one image and another dog
might see the same or the negative image in the test. Sometimes when watching a
dog work I see the dog searching all the negative space, the void in-between
objects. Yes they encounter corners, edges, stumble over containers and even
run into objects, but not always. It’s beautiful to watch the dog moves in this
negative dimension from what we can’t see or different from what we initially
see. It can be frustrating to the handler when the dog appears to not making
progress, i.e. the source is not in the negative space of that image. In fact just
this past weekend I watch several handlers call alert and then say were the
source was located. It was like they watched the voids and objects the dog evaluated
and where able to see what was coming next – the dog would have turned and
sourced and therefore knew where the source was. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">There
was a test as a kid I took once at the optometrist, that tested for dyslexia. It
was cube of sorts with several layers of letters, you looked into it and there
was a paragraph to read out load. Not sure if I can fully describe its design
but if the patient moved then the letters would shift. The optometrist said at
the end, that most adults performing the test would give up because it doesn’t
make sense what they are reading. But as a kid with dyslexia I just read to the
end squirming in my seat and making absolutely no darn sense. What if every
time the dog moves while working, that negative space/image of scent they are
encountering is altered, either by the handler, dog or some other environmental
factors? Imagine the intense work and focus the dog must be under in the moment
with so many computations to make.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The
Rorschach image or ink blots have a unique property, called reflection symmetry
or mirror-image symmetry which happens in nature, and can be described in
mathematical terms. I often suggest in my classes with the possibility that the
dogs are really doing differential calculus problems to solve a scent problem. Each
term of the equation as it is solved by the dog reduces the remaining
information or terms required to complete the scent problem and source. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Back
to Ron; he encourages us to watch the dog work, to do our best not to interfere,
move/not move but use them as our guide in the world of scent because the dog
is the expert. It appears to be “magic” sometimes but in a way we are lucky
when we see something that can not be seen it can only be observed in how our
dogs work the scent problem in that particular environment and search. It can
not be repeated later, it only happens once. Or if we observe carefully it happens
similarly enough with another dog that is gives us a glimpse into their world
of scent. We also encounter experienced handlers, judges, trainers with new
observations about the dog’s patterns that we may not have fully understood what
we were seeing at the time. Do all of these apply to every dog, maybe not, but it’s
these observations that help us understand the vast unseen capabilities of
dogs. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">My
dogs do calculus and I do addition and subtraction, I think the problems they
are solving are beautiful to watch. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
Jason Henghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06845190203669394196noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254116076747807535.post-25342234415434187892015-11-03T09:02:00.000-08:002015-11-03T09:46:50.572-08:00A worthwhile adventure K9 Nose Work for your Shiba Inu<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small;">Are you wondering if your Shiba has the ability,
capacity or desire to participate in nose work? K9 Nose Work©<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>created by the National Association of Canine
Scent Work (NACSW™ </span><a href="http://www.nacsw.net/"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small;">www.nacsw.net</span></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"> ), is a
detection style game where dogs learn to get excited about using their nose to
seek out a favorite toy or treat reward placed in one of several boxes. Your
Shiba will benefit from the way the game of K9 Nose Work® is designed from the
beginning to give the dog the choice and independence to hunt for a primary
reward. We start with a primary reward to build drive and the desire to hunt
with all types of dogs no matter their physical abilities, ages or level of
training. The great thing about starting nose work as a game is that it
provides the most flexibility for all levels of dog owners no matter their
dog’s sport background. Each dog and handler progresses at their own pace as
the dog solves puzzles and learns their own way, best for each dog; fast, slow,
blind, deaf, old, young or retired champion. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Every description of the Shiba breed includes the
words “independent”. The game is well suited for this trait and as I discovered
with my Shibas, once exposed to the fun and independent nature of hunting in
nose work, they were much more willing to work with me in other training
situations. It’s been a great compliment to the Shiba’s hunting desire in a
controlled environment and they have thanked me for it with a stronger bond and
wonderful relationship. As each dog grows more confident with the puzzles, the
game expands to entire rooms, exterior areas and vehicles. The challenges can
grow to resemble much more of the detection style searching and for those
interested in training more advanced skills; target odors (birch, anise, etc)
are added to the search, and much more! Competition is available for teams that
enjoy the challenges and opportunities to Title under the NACSW™. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small;">Starting with just a few boxes, an inexpensive
piece of equipment, my Shiba; Atlas searched for his treats placed in the
boxes. It expanded the searching for treats with more boxes, folded into
puzzles, mazes, stacked, hidden, nested, scattered, in every imaginable way.
Other objects were added too, like cones, chairs, tables, carts and bins of all
sorts. Then the boxes went with us, searching these puzzles in training rooms,
garages, houses, parks, backyards, barns, and fields. The nose work game is
only limited by your imagination. If you need some ideas on how the game starts
and where it can go, check out the Parker Videos (</span><a href="https://www.dogwise.com/ItemDetails.cfm?ID=DGT280"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small;">https://www.dogwise.com/ItemDetails.cfm?ID=DGT280</span></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">).
</span></span></span><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Part of the fun is thinking up new searches for all
teams, it’s an interactive game for both dog and handlers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmHXrADsB5Y77NFnn7jEpNmpq2OR3Vt_2pFEIKv8Bf1c1PkHWuMesb_BREX138AOmY7GGLEw3HfhJAzhgzBqy27vlxRwWtaB31OetUS5qa2XIhhVh21B4tVCE8fYg980awGfRxAVKyzY/s1600/Atlas+working+at+GA+Camp+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmHXrADsB5Y77NFnn7jEpNmpq2OR3Vt_2pFEIKv8Bf1c1PkHWuMesb_BREX138AOmY7GGLEw3HfhJAzhgzBqy27vlxRwWtaB31OetUS5qa2XIhhVh21B4tVCE8fYg980awGfRxAVKyzY/s320/Atlas+working+at+GA+Camp+2013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype
id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t"
path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/>
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/>
</v:formulas>
<v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/>
<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/>
</v:shapetype><v:shape id="_x0000_s1027" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute;
left:0;text-align:left;margin-left:0;margin-top:.65pt;width:3in;height:146.4pt;
z-index:2;mso-position-horizontal:left'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\HENGTEN\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.jpg"
o:title="Atlas is too fast"/>
<w:wrap type="square"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span id="goog_667505662"></span><span id="goog_667505663"></span>I started with a particularly challenging
Shiba, a resource guarder, sensitive about his space, super high energy and
when he became an adolescent I was not very successful training him to have
good manners. He got plenty of exercise but the physical exercise lacked mental
stimulation. K9 Nose work® changed that and gave him a job to do. Instead of
letting the Shiba intelligence free to devise all manner of ways to play their
games, many times at our expense, put those Shiba skills to work. Nose work
provided a wealth of puzzles for him to solve and exhausted his energy faster
than any 10 mile hike. Motivation via food worked in my favor, but it was the
desire and instinct to hunt, seek and problem solve in the nose work
environment that saved him. It was extremely rewarding for me to see him hunt
happily every time the boxes appeared. The best part was giving him the freedom
to choose his own path and for me to learn by watching him work out all the
puzzles. K9 Nose work® became my passion because of the wonderful changes in
the relationship with my Shiba Inu. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small;"></span></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">The sport of K9 Nose Work® had just started growing
across the country in 2011 when I started playing the game with my Shiba,
Atlas. I had no plans to compete, no desire and no idea what to expect. After
about 9 months of having fun, I had advanced to working with the first target
odor; Birch (an essential oil on several q-tips in a small tin container). I
drove 16 hours (one way) to attend my first Odor Recognition Test (ORT), a
requirement to compete in a trial. This is a test which consists of 12
identical boxes normally in 2 rows where one box has the target odor placed
inside. The challenge of the ORT is to test if the dog recognizes the odor in a
box and then can the handler recognize their dog working the odor to call
“Alert” on the correct box. I had never competed with a dog and was very
nervous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With my novice skills reading
my dog’s communication working the birch odor, Atlas and I, missed, when I
called “Alert” on the wrong box. It was disappointing but just seeing him
navigate the environment and hunt was enough for me to be hooked on the sport.
I now compete with all three of my Shiba’s, each has a different search
style.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, they have Shiba similarities
but each is an individual and part of the fun is learning how to grow my skills
as a handler and be the best teammate possible when competing in nose work.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">The NACSW™ sanctions K9 Nose Work® Trials that come
in two forms; NW1, NW2 and NW3 were rolled out first, Element Specialty Trial
(EST) are new since 2014. Once a dog has passed the ORT for the first odor;
birch. That dog can be entered into an NW1 trial to find <u>one</u> placed
birch hide (hidden from handler view) in four different search areas;
containers, interiors, exteriors and vehicles. The dog must subsequently pass
an anise ORT and have titled at NW1 to compete in NW2, and must pass a clove
ORT and have titled at NW2 to compete in NW3. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Element Specialty trials are half day events where
one element is searched; either containers, interiors, exteriors or vehicles.
Normally there are at least 4 search areas per half day trial of one element.
So each team will search 4 container search areas for the opportunity to title
in a Level 1 Container trial, or 4 interiors search areas for a Level 1
Interior trial. For all Level 1 Element Specialty Trials, there will be 1 hide
per search area. Element Specialty Trials get more challenging at Level 2 and
Level 3 with multiple hides, additional odors, and intentionally placed
distractions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small;"></span></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">For a dog to title at a NW1 trial they must located
<u>one</u> hide in each search area and the handler must call “Alert” correctly
for the judge to approve. If the team correctly finds the 4 hides then the dog
earns an NW1 Title. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">·</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">1 hide per search area it will be Birch<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">·</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">4 search areas (containers, interiors, exteriors and vehicles<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">·</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Handler must correctly call “Alert” once their dog has found each hide<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">·</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">The team must find all 4 hides correctly for the dog to title that day<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">A team is required to find all the hides on one day
for NW1, NW2 and NW3, there is no accumulation over multiple trials, so if a
team passes 3 out of 4 at one trial then at their next try they still have to
pass a four elements to title. It is a significant challenge but well worth the
achievement. Each search is timed so there is the additional opportunity to
achieve placements (1</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;">st</span></sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;">, 2</span><sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;">nd</span></sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> and 3</span><sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;">rd</span></sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;">) in each
element. NW2 and NW3 are very similar to NW1 with some additional challenges. Each
level adds another odor; NW2 adds Anise, and NW3 adds Clove. At NW2 there can
be no more than 2 hides in each of the four search areas (containers,
interiors, exterior and vehicles) and the number of hides is disclosed to the
handler prior to the search. Some additional challenges are added for NW2;<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">·</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">No more than 2 hides in each search area for NW2<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">·</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">For NW2 the handler is told how many hides in each search are for NW2<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">·</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Interiors at NW2 will include 2 rooms<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">·</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Up to 4 vehicles can be present in the search area<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">For NW3 the biggest added complication to the trial
level is that it will not be known to the handler whether there are 1, 2, or 3
hides in each search area. This increases the challenge to each team significantly,
the handler must be able to read when there dog has found all the hides in each
search area.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">·</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Up to 3 hides in each search area for NW3<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">·</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">For NW3 the handler doesn’t know how many hides are in each search area<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">·</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">The handler must correctly find all the hides and call finish in each
search area to title<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">·</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">For interiors in NW3 there are 3 rooms and 1 of those rooms MAY be
clear of odor<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">·</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">A 3</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;">rd</span></sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> odor of Clove is added<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">·</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Up to five vehicles can be present in the vehicle search area<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">·</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">The handler finds out at the end of the trial if they have successfully
by finding all the hides that day and if so receives an NW3 Title. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Video examples of NW1 and
NW2 are available via the NACSW™ website.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.nacsw.net/trial-calendar-information/video-examples-nacsw-k9-nose-work-trial-searches"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small;">http://www.nacsw.net/trial-calendar-information/video-examples-nacsw-k9-nose-work-trial-searches</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpBtyDypJQo20b-EhoEBkuzIdbbBsJ5tI6zKXRusGOKCWjbs60W64QAE9HdN-QDjMAoAc-2KTVeaOvSBlkU0hl_ngS0OiiBs_1WCzpiRNeYORs9n3MSkaWxwGmhK1Q5jE_z6XJkf9FTR8/s1600/shiba+nosework.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpBtyDypJQo20b-EhoEBkuzIdbbBsJ5tI6zKXRusGOKCWjbs60W64QAE9HdN-QDjMAoAc-2KTVeaOvSBlkU0hl_ngS0OiiBs_1WCzpiRNeYORs9n3MSkaWxwGmhK1Q5jE_z6XJkf9FTR8/s320/shiba+nosework.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small;">If a dog can successfully pass 3 different NW3
trials receiving a title then they achieves a NW3 Elite Title. As the NACSW™
organization continues to grow they have added additional trial opportunities.
The newest is the Elite Division trials, where all teams need to have achieved
the NW3 Elite Title level in-order to trial. The new Elite Division trials no
longer have predefined search elements, so an exterior type search may include
containers or vehicles. Or an interior type search might include vehicles. In
addition there is no longer requirements on the number of hides and the number could
be disclosed or not before the search. This new Elite Division level gets very
close to real world type of searches environments that professional detection
handlers might encounter, show up and work a location with many unknowns. There
are additional nuances about trialing; faults, distracters, and limits on hide
elevation so if you are looking for more specific trial rules and information
check out the NACSW™ website at </span><a href="http://www.nacsw.net/"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small;">www.nacsw.net</span></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">.
</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">(Photo Credits Jason Heng, Blue Amrich, Pawsitive Impressions, Em and
Zach Photography)<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small;">Opportunities to participate in an ORT and Trials
are far more available now. As of 2015 the sport has exploded across the
country with trials, instructors, camps, seminars, the NACSW™ National
Invitational, and many enthusiastic nose work teams in many states. There will
be 31 states in 2015 (</span><a href="http://www.nacsw.net/trial-calendar-information"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small;">http://www.nacsw.net/trial-calendar-information</span></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">)
that will have hosted K9 Nose Work® trial. As of 2015 the UKC is sanctioning
nose work competitions. The UKC nose work competition has its own set of rules
and challenges, providing an additional opportunity to participate in nose
work. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><a href="http://www.ukcdogs.com/Web.nsf/WebPages/DogEvents/Nosework"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small;">http://www.ukcdogs.com/Web.nsf/WebPages/DogEvents/Nosework</span></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">
There are also several other organizations that have created scent work games
each with their own challenges. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Atlas achieved his NW3 Elite title in July 2015
having successfully titled at three NW3 Trials, becoming the first Shiba to
accomplish this and becoming one of about 100 NW3 Elite title holders from
NACSW™ trials around the country. It was a 4 year journey! Since the sport was
just starting in my region I traveled all over the country to trial in 15
different states, making the journey very rewarding, including the opportunity
to meet so many nose work enthusiasts. I’ll steal a comment from a fellow Shiba
handler when they told me it is a big accomplishment to title a Shiba in any
sport. And its great to see a number of Shiba teams around the country
competing in nose work at many levels including NW3. It has been a great
experience to meet so many teams, cheer their success and appreciate the great
determination and training it takes to compete with a Shiba Inu. Many of the
nose work searches I set for my Shibas aren’t about competition. I play the
game for fun, giving all my dogs puzzles to engage their minds. K9 Nose work® is
a great way to have fun with your dogs! <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.hengten.com/"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small;">www.hengten.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><em><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-small;"> </span></em></o:p></div>
Jason Henghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06845190203669394196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254116076747807535.post-24058004564438115032015-08-05T14:07:00.002-07:002015-08-05T14:25:54.169-07:00The rest of the story - Paid in Full<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Soon after writing about our journey seeking the NW3 Elite title (last blog post <a href="http://hengtenk9.blogspot.com/2015/05/paid-in-full-adapt.html" target="_blank">Paid in Full</a> ) I had accepted that it would come one day, and super excited for the next trial. Did it happen at the next trial? No. To the contrary the next trial was one of those experiences that left me wondering again if it would. I've had days like that before, fireworks come to mind, an experience I was not looking to repeat. Well we didn't encounter any fireworks, but the roofers across the street using rapid fire nail guns was an added stress that totaled up to it not being our day. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Atlas handled it okay to start, he was concerned for sure, jumping around when the nails starting firing and looking off into the distance in "Alert" mode. Not the kind of alert I was planning for the day. I tried to comfort him and tried to not let my emotions get the better of me, worrying about him. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Into the first interior room and boom, snap called on the first object he showed interest in and got a "No". I was not successful in keeping my emotions in check and I had lost my concentration. It took every bit of me to regain my composer in the hall before going into the second room. The 2nd room was a good search, found 2 hides and was feeling confident we had found everything in the room. The 3rd room however went south, when Atlas stood up on a plastic cabinet and it rocked forward. He did not cope well, jumping back and he seemed very startled. I told him it was okay, but I had trouble getting him to focus. I tried to get him to search in the stalls of the bathroom. Atlas was having none of it and when he started searching high onto the counter I called finish (for a clear room). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
All in all the interior search was not the end of the world, I had messed up but I had a lot of searching left for the day, and having some success would mean overcoming a big distraction, the nail guns. Ah but that was not completely the case either. The vehicle search was several minutes of agony for the handler. I had not seen Atlas out for a walk during a search in a long time, poor guy was just not focused on the task at hand. We did our best and around the time of the 30 second call Atlas ran into some odor and worked it out. Two and a half minutes of walking around the vehicles showed that some distractions have an unknowable effect. He recovered on exteriors and solved the puzzles like a champ, a great success for the day. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Containers was last and once again the handler needed to be reminded of an age old lesson. Proof that when things go sideways it accumulates sometimes. Atlas is the one with the expert nose and when he says we are done finding all the odor, don't try to convince him otherwise. "No, lets go check this corner bag because you haven't check it to my satisfaction." Ok said Atlas, you want me to find the food in this bag and tell you about it, happy to comply Mr. treat dispenser. Handler rewarded with a "No", Doh! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was a beautiful day, sunny in the mountains of Colorado. I had humble pie for lunch and dinner, Atlas still got lots of treats and a day of searching. He didn't die from the noise of the nail gun and was not crushed by a plastic cabinet. I would later realize that the cabinet reaction was very telling. It seemed at the time like a big overreaction, but if there was odor in the room he probably wouldn't have acted that way. I have had many experiences where Atlas had run into objects, crashing is a better description, but in the presence of odor he didn't react. No odor resulted in a big worried reaction, when not in search mode being concerned about ones surroundings can be all consuming. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I was discouraged, yep no getting around it. Something totally out of my control had distracted me and broke my concentration. Mainly I was irritated with myself for letting it get the best of me. The result, it was time to take a break, focus on having some fun. I pulled from the next trial, which was just before the 4th of July. I didn't wish to have another fireworks experience, not worth the additional stress on Atlas. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A couple months later we tried again, drove 3 days to Oregon to have some fun. It only took 14 - NW3 trials for Atlas and I to get all 3 NW3 titles required for the Elite. And 4 trials for each of NW1 and NW2. Seems like a lot doesn't it? Maybe, I'll steal a comment from a fellow Shiba handler when they told me it is a big accomplishment to title a Shiba in anything. Atlas is the first Shiba to get his Elite title, but that doesn't mean as much as the miles I've traveled with him to get there. More fun to come now the NACSW had Elite trials. Whoo hoo!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihrDSBHwF6VxRZ73x5UuzjK5fMtqi1BfRm1e_Y1I1M1FBa52PU5OFQe9MkcZn8pDhZG7WFHNc7Mf15CJg9Urh-_EPAm8xWK7U7Tw_LQyIWoIDfIDMttEoW6yO8lRlquSeekYxSWMr65E0/s1600/PhotoGrid_1437599517886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihrDSBHwF6VxRZ73x5UuzjK5fMtqi1BfRm1e_Y1I1M1FBa52PU5OFQe9MkcZn8pDhZG7WFHNc7Mf15CJg9Urh-_EPAm8xWK7U7Tw_LQyIWoIDfIDMttEoW6yO8lRlquSeekYxSWMr65E0/s320/PhotoGrid_1437599517886.jpg" width="276" /></a></div>
<br />Jason Henghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06845190203669394196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254116076747807535.post-9698030335335330772015-05-14T11:07:00.002-07:002015-05-19T21:59:22.969-07:00Paid in Full - Adapt<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Paid
in Full<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">As
summer approaches it will mark four years since we made the decision that if we
couldn’t find a way to learn to deal with our adolescent dog; his neurotic energy, dog
reactive outbursts, violent resource guarding, the biting me, then we would
euthanize him. Little did we know at the time that I had been given a glorious
adventure that would send me on a wonderful journey that continues. This all
happened because we started K9 Nosework®. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">After
a couple of months of freeing him to hunt for treats in boxes, he started to be
less neurotic which allowed me to be successful with other training. It wasn’t
easy; we spent every day for 8 months working through the resource guarding,
success was being able to put a bowl of food down in his crate and release him
to eat without a violent display. We accomplished a number of things after
starting nosework; walking nicely while on a leash was big and not reacting to almost
every dog we saw was still over a year away. We had set backs too, I learned to
see when he was uncomfortable, the warning signals returned, we adapting to him
and this summer will also mark 3 years since last incident with me. Throughout
this time the constant was nosework, we played the game a lot; some weeks
multiple times per day, everyday, and it worked like a valve on a pressure
cooker and relaxed his mind. He became eager to “work” for food in all training
situations, and nosework changed him in a way I can’t fully explain. My intense
little dog is still in there but it’s channeled into the fun work we do and the
weight of the world on his shoulders diminished.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">When
we started nosework we just wanted a happy home life, and he had so much fun
hunting for the treats and then odor, I decided to try the competitive venue. I
drove to <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Colorado</st1:place></st1:state>,
a short 16 hour drive to run him in an ORT for the first odor birch. We didn’t
pass the ORT so I drove the long 16 hours home. My dog succeeded by not loosing
his cool, being in a venue with many other dogs, and we passed another ORT a
few months later only having to drive a short 13 hours (one way). That was just
the beginning. In total, I have traveled 100s of thousands of miles for nosework;
seminars, camps, trials, training and teaching. I enjoyed handling a dog so much I worked a dog professionally for a pest control company for a year of
windshield time, yes more driving. I became an instructor through the NACSW and I thoroughly
enjoy spending hours coaching others in classes each week as the sport grows
here in <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Texas</st1:place></st1:state>.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">When
I started competing for the first title level NW1, I thought there was a
pinnacle to be achieved the NW3 Elite (3 NW3 Titles). If I got there then I
would have paid my penance. I know that is not the right word for it, but it
has stuck with me over all those miles. I OWE every last hour and every last mile
traveled to my dog named Atlas who gave me a path I didn’t even know 4 years
ago. And I know I’m not alone, I have met so many other nosework enthusiasts
and new friends in traveling all those miles. Atlas and I have competed in over
20 nose work trials together we have earned some title ribbons and I continue
to compete yes for the title ribbons because to me it represents the payment I
owe Atlas. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUXTzHsAojPpQOtMdATxplHjaCxZhM1OXIOiNsQRc41kG_wTTCoR0JJgxVSo2Hzg1zMPx7iaDSb8cLp8eVjK-aLkuUHYX1MHxxqJsUynJchTb05HQd8-bU58BdAfzmCtc5m8Iib7QWAE/s1600/Atlas+is+too+fast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUXTzHsAojPpQOtMdATxplHjaCxZhM1OXIOiNsQRc41kG_wTTCoR0JJgxVSo2Hzg1zMPx7iaDSb8cLp8eVjK-aLkuUHYX1MHxxqJsUynJchTb05HQd8-bU58BdAfzmCtc5m8Iib7QWAE/s400/Atlas+is+too+fast.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">It
wasn’t until I was competing with another dog that so thoroughly enjoys nosework
so much, that it has begun to change my perspective. Bailey is a whirling dervish when
it comes to nosework, a little tornado that is a day of entertainment to watch
her work; zoomies around a room when she couldn’t work out an odor problem. (And
the realization that I couldn’t change it) She has more intensity than Atlas but
she isn’t holding the weight of the world upon her shoulders, she always looks
like she is having immense fun. I can only imagine a billboard over Bailey in
each run “get out the way”!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw that
in Atlas from the beginning but I think I needed a reminder of that perspective
from Bailey. I will strive to "honor" Atlas as a great passionate companion and marvel at all that I have learned from all those miles.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FLSbUfuTpT_90mGfbOOUuEqov43umdrbG91tQkqEgJ8sSq1UD8Tg989TEUM9-Ze0afdGR3S_ncVSBx6dj92rrJ1MddJkQ3kPVhNyX4t2cZHmlAJqdS3_YU5mWZ7urZyZbXGeLpvqU1A/s1600/bailey+fl+trial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FLSbUfuTpT_90mGfbOOUuEqov43umdrbG91tQkqEgJ8sSq1UD8Tg989TEUM9-Ze0afdGR3S_ncVSBx6dj92rrJ1MddJkQ3kPVhNyX4t2cZHmlAJqdS3_YU5mWZ7urZyZbXGeLpvqU1A/s200/bailey+fl+trial.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Adapting in nosework is a fundamental truth, if we are lucky we
get to marvel at our dogs as they adapt so fast we sometimes don’t even realize
it is happening. The conditions change and each dog, each handler changes even
if they can’t explain how. It is art in motion, entertainment, and the beauty
of a calculus problem in the mind of a focused and passionate puzzle solver.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
Jason Henghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06845190203669394196noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254116076747807535.post-82097023020144879732014-07-23T07:52:00.001-07:002014-07-23T07:52:15.489-07:00Question: "Where do we start?"
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The Start Line …. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p>It is where you start or is it? While teaching a class a
couple of weeks ago, I noticed a pattern. Which on a normal day wouldn’t necessarily
get me thinking. However always looking for opportunities to analyze large data
sets to distill unrecognizable patterns through the use of statistics sometimes
makes me wonder about what we miss. Or how simple things are lost in the flow
of a class that might need more thought.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
First the start line is an arbitrary line created for the
purposes of starting the stopwatch to measure the time it takes the team to
complete the search. It’s only really required for competition. I rarely, if
ever place cones or tape in class to signify the place where a team is to
start. Ironically it’s probably out of not taking enough time to setup the
search area, or maybe its just I don’t see the value in telling each team where
to start. The question that I always think about is did the dog know where the
start line was, or did the handler cue them to start at the line by saying
“find-it”? </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Many teams have a well defined ritual; stop just before the
start line, adjust equipment, tell dog to sit, wait, say “find-it”, or some
other cue. Some of these rituals come from years of competing in other dog
sports. Others make equipment changes or other adjustments some distance from
the line and then pause or walk right over that line with out much significance
at all. Is there a preferred method? I think some dogs start when the handler
takes them out of the crate, I believe this because it takes the handler a
great deal of energy to travel that short distance to the search area holding
the dog back. Although not recommended, I think if they just opened the crate
door many dogs would end up running into the training room in full search mode.
Of course this would leave the handler running after them, hoping not to miss all
the action. Although we love the drive we all get frustrated being pulled to
the search area. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
For this exercise I decided on a particular highly
scientific test. It was inspired by another instructor’s diabolical torture of
their class. Ok, it wasn’t that mean, depending on if you where one of the
handlers. I adapted for this exercise for this class but I expect the effect
was the same. Here is what prompted my silly exercise. Not all, but enough
handlers would say find-it when entering the training room regardless of a
small search area in the corner of the room. I deciding it was a good time to
discuss the purpose of the start line since several trial questions had come up
in this class.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
In watching the teams, I wondered how could I drive home the
point to everyone how focused we are on our rituals. If they didn’t say
anything or do any of the ritual tasks, does the dog still start to search?
Sort of like testing if your dog pays more attention to the verbal cue (sit,
down) or your body language one (hand cue, etc). So if you don’t say anything
but just walk into the search areas doesn’t the dog begin to search just with
the presence of odor. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The rules of this handler torture; if the handler said
“find-it” or any other cue prior to the dogs nose crossing the start line the
penalty would be for the handler to put their dog up. Since everyone followed
directions we will never know if I would have required them to put their dog
up, but the looks received were very memorable. Each dog went to work, no
surprise. But that wasn’t really in question, right? I’ve noticed sometimes that
us humans coop patterns from watching others. Take class long enough with a group of people,
and the handlers start to mimic each other. Maybe it’s easier for us human to
read the body language of each other better than watching the dog’s body
language. I know this happens on occasion, just run a threshold drill in class
where every search has a threshold source and watch everyone start to stop at
that imaginary start line. Not on purpose, but maybe some positive peer
pressure, it works for that team so maybe I should stop at the start line and
have my dog sit. Many dogs however do not conform in this way. They adapt to
the handler, sometimes we perceive their lack of adapting as rebellion, but
maybe it’s just the desire to get to work, to drive forward and succeed. </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4q6qETE5dDgIvf-ah13RRBKKGD-cJCjZ0az4V8cIm5iKgivjkCKLcl98jm-bfMnG1Ap8on61qzMQhauMDypx9OS4kz6FDwMfNZERofjRq4LfiLScDRomUpegVgC24uxlrI23BoaoqhM/s1600/2+vehicle+threshold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4q6qETE5dDgIvf-ah13RRBKKGD-cJCjZ0az4V8cIm5iKgivjkCKLcl98jm-bfMnG1Ap8on61qzMQhauMDypx9OS4kz6FDwMfNZERofjRq4LfiLScDRomUpegVgC24uxlrI23BoaoqhM/s1600/2+vehicle+threshold.jpg" height="244" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atlas trying to drag me. Our first Trial, Colorado 2012.<br />
Luckily he is only 30 lbs. and not 60.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I’ve stopped at the start line, I know there are rituals
that I go through, however I try to not let those override the dog choosing
where to start. This is not to say there is “one” correct way but sometimes
understanding why we do certain rituals its good to reevaluate, step back and
analyze if that is still needed. We may have created those rituals to introduce
our dogs to the game but what if we could work with our dog and become faster,
efficient, more focused and a better team by looking at what we do to
contribute. </div>
Jason Henghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06845190203669394196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254116076747807535.post-81047505437809734432014-03-27T09:30:00.001-07:002014-03-27T09:31:57.607-07:00An incredible Journey and it continues!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
It’s been 2 years since the first trip, a short 16 hour
drive to <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Colorado</st1:place></st1:state>
for an ORT (Odor Recognition Test) to begin competing in the sport of K9 Nose
Work®, with my dogs. It has taken almost 1.5 years and many competitions, camps, and seminars to develop a comfortable trial
day routine, learning to focus on what I’m doing during competition and
learning to stay out of the way of my dog’s nose. That doesn’t mean there
aren’t challenges. The highlights are discovering training gaps that have been
enlightened by the day’s competition. There are disappointments, but its really
just being to hard on myself for things I have no control over, when
having fun is really the point. In general the more challenging the day the far
more I learn. I compete with my dogs because I have fun, and the game of K9
Nose Work® has been a great outlet for the mental energy my dog wields.
Imagine, a high energy dog, hitting adolescence and using that cunning mental
dexterity to make your home, well not so nice. Finding a game that harnesses a
dog’s energy mental and physical through complex problem solving, has been an
extraordinary gift to the relationship I have with my dogs. It’s not magic but
a great deal or learning about our dogs and their incredible scenting abilities
that with us can be harnessed into a detector dog. My dogs detect Birch, Anise
and Clove. The scents not explosive, but it is incredible see so many dogs
become detector dogs. </div>
<o:p> </o:p><br />
Lebanon, NJ - December 16, 2013, was our 9<sup>th</sup> trial together. This
day was the first try competing at NW3 for Atlas and I, so I’ve had some people
ask about my experience, please remember that Atlas and I have our way of
working that may not translate to others. 20 degrees at 8am with a little sun, I
started about 10am after check in and the walk through. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The plan was patience and to not let any of my
expectations get in the way of his nose. We were 2<sup>nd</sup> in the order,
running interiors first, 3 rooms, with holding rooms before each search area. Get
acclimated from the cold before the first room was nice. We spend about 5
minutes waiting outside for the first dog to finish. Only things running
through my head were “there CAN be 3 hides” and “if he goes back to a hide more
than twice, you WILL call finish”. <br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Interiors, first room was a bunkroom, ran on leash stepped
inside the door and paused, let out some leash and he went directly to the
threshold hide in a drawer of a bookcase. After rewarding let out the rest of
the leash and moved with him around the room, he went directly to the next hide,
called alert and rewarded. We walked back to the end of the room where the
judge was standing, judge moved and he checked a drawer at floor level, sniffed
hard but didn’t stick so we moved on and he went back to the other hide, so I
called finish. Second room had 3 open doors, with a ping pong table and 2
vending machines, he bolted right in and moved to the end of the room and
headed toward one open doors. He checked the table and vending machine, then
headed back for another door. I moved back to the beginning of the room, and he
investigated the table again before he sniffed one of the vending machines, and
went under the table. It felt like an eternity but he showed no interest so
called clear. Third room was a bathroom with 2 vanities and 3 closed toilet
stalls. Again on leash held at the threshold for a moment then went in, Atlas
went directly to one of the vanities checking the bottom, found the hide at the
corner and looked at me, called alert. Then checked the other vanity, but he
pulled back to the hide. I opened the middle stall door, but Atlas wouldn’t go
into the stall, instead pulling back to the hide, so I called finish. The judge
said, “Ookaay” sort of drawn out, which really messed with my head. I figured I
missed a hide because we didn’t go into the other stalls. I was happy to stick
to my plan, if he continued to return to a hide it’s because there is nothing
else there, but the inflection in the judges ok had me convinced we missed a
hide. Left interiors, with no “NO” calls from the judge and Atlas poop right
after leaving interiors, a totally successful day. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span> We have had a problem
traveling and he holds it for days, so getting it out of the way for the day is
always a big milestone early. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
There was a long break before the vehicle and exterior
searches back to back. While waiting outside in the staging area before
vehicles, there were several gun shots in the distance, Atlas immediately was
on full alert and got concerned. It was several quick shots so he recovered
quickly with a little encouragement. Not any warmer with the wind was picking
up. The vehicle search was 2 cars and 1 utility tractor. He went directly to
the utility vehicle which was down wind to the right of both cars, checked the
front grill area and then moved down the side before going to the middle car.
Hit on the front wheel well area and alerted, one hide found. Moved to the second car and started bracketing over a larger area to narrow down what seemed like a more inaccessible hide (behind the tire), stuck his head into the wheel well above the tire. Alerted, second hide found. Then moved around the front of the vehicle, he showed some interest at the front but kept moving. We went down the other sides of the vehicles and then worked back to the car on the left where he had shown interest at the front. On the second or third time around he checked but when going back around the vehicle he pulled me to the first hide so I called finish. <br />
</div>
<span id="goog_860633720"></span><span id="goog_860633721"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxeRL1DRWLEGsem88RrREuuqLMT9fTztbKSwQPwGqKJ2UOxSZNujJPV2WhTO5D14VC2sYRIOUjxbhdzZYgQ941a_yjCcfgru1WxIjVxYlqKBJJqa2HUJtWof8zSC4B4GBH5pMY3K1Czs/s1600/131216_nosework_5757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxeRL1DRWLEGsem88RrREuuqLMT9fTztbKSwQPwGqKJ2UOxSZNujJPV2WhTO5D14VC2sYRIOUjxbhdzZYgQ941a_yjCcfgru1WxIjVxYlqKBJJqa2HUJtWof8zSC4B4GBH5pMY3K1Czs/s1600/131216_nosework_5757.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Exterior was a large triangle shaped search area in between
to cabins. One side was up against a building the other 2 sides open. All
covered with about 8 inches of snow. One pathway of snow was scooped through
that area of about 6 feet wide down to the grass. Flags marked the outer
boundaries sides and ran through a picnic table, making part of the table out
of play. Entered the search area with the wind blowing off the corner of the
building through the area, he went down the building side quickly and then
directly to the picnic table, worked from seat up to under the table and
alerted/rewarded. Left and worked into the center area to a large stone fire
pit, working the outer edge before Atlas jumping into the pit and working to a
specific rock/crack in the fire pit wall and alerted. </div>
<br />
<o:p><br />
</o:p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5YzDg_ehR8wDiEBgipybYf1sYLFX1htDfJP77lZenQKcJ_YpFD95oekrzUpJFQcKbiXv24dL-1RItXuwyyOK01hfQwa4xZriKXyGTmb7ft9sYkTLhQxjbRcfvVEc7FoSzyoa-gGm1is4/s1600/131216_nosework_5771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5YzDg_ehR8wDiEBgipybYf1sYLFX1htDfJP77lZenQKcJ_YpFD95oekrzUpJFQcKbiXv24dL-1RItXuwyyOK01hfQwa4xZriKXyGTmb7ft9sYkTLhQxjbRcfvVEc7FoSzyoa-gGm1is4/s1600/131216_nosework_5771.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
Then tried to cover the area, he went back to the picnic table and jump onto the top. At this time the gun shots in the distance happened again, Atlas turned a stiffened toward the direction of the shots, I told him good boy and he went back to work, located the first hide from above at the end of the picnic table, called alert again, it was more reflex to call alert. Covered the triangle point area of the search area, he paused at a spot in the snow but I moved him on since it looked like pee sniffin. Covered the wall of the building because there was a trash can lid and step areas, when he showed no interest so I called finish as he start to move towards the first hide. <br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I was feeling great that he found some hides and worked
well, with no false alerts. I felt like if we could get through the day with no
false alerts it was an extremely successful day. I still figured we had missed
a hide in interiors but at this point it was less on my mind. Container search
was last. One of our toughest elements, not because it is harder but because it
is the element that Atlas has false alerted on most often. The false alerts in
the past are not from distractors, but instead he might have trouble with a
particular hide placement and his default frustration response is going to the
nearest box and sit down. We have spent a lot of training time working with
containers after having these experiences at trial. Even though his alert is a
look at me the sitting has thrown me off in the past, and it has been so
convincing in the moment. The containers this day was 19 total containers,
including 10 white type ORT boxes, several flat bags, a couple smaller bags and
several taller containers. Needless to say I was not as confident at that time.
Plus when containers are the last search of the day, his energy is greatly
dimensioned. I feed him after the exterior search about 1/3 of his daily meal
to help with his energy. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Containers, I remember the least, hit the first container a
tall drink cooler, but left and went to a bag nearby, then returned to the
cooler and called alert/rewarded. Then covered most of the parameter containers, by
Atlas’s choice. He hit on a corner bag, called alert and rewarded. Next I tried
to cover the rest of the containers in the middle, holding firm on the leash when
he pulled towards the odor containers. He sniffed the rest of the boxes, tried
to bite at one, obvious, “let me eat what is in there”. (later learned it was cheese, one of his favorite treats) There was one small
bag in the middle that he wouldn’t check, and since he had problems with very
small containers in a trial before I walked by that bag at least 3 times, no interest
so I called finish. Was very excited to get out with no false alerts, and for
that reason alone I was not only satisfied with the day, but just so happy
beyond words at how well Atlas worked. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7nlGJ4HXPOEH1DEJ-iw2EgntoNkXCt0-ciCshH5WRMggzjfF9QkC2tVQ36xojk-ffHdjmVkqweHBmhMpcA-Y4qOeS02eW43yEUgsuRqFMBuwL9lSB4qwflyoOI9IOgZR4Of6RBsml_4/s1600/131216_nosework_6197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7nlGJ4HXPOEH1DEJ-iw2EgntoNkXCt0-ciCshH5WRMggzjfF9QkC2tVQ36xojk-ffHdjmVkqweHBmhMpcA-Y4qOeS02eW43yEUgsuRqFMBuwL9lSB4qwflyoOI9IOgZR4Of6RBsml_4/s1600/131216_nosework_6197.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
It was great day from Atlas where the communication was
clear, he was “ON” his game, and we had a blast! It was still very cold out and
windy, I would say the conditions were difficult to stay focused, and very hard
to stand outside before interiors and vehicles or several minutes. The mind
game part with not knowing the number of hides was challenging but was happy to
stick with my gut, when he returned to a hide more 2 times, it was time to call
finish. I know that this if I had missed a hide I would be reevaluating my
plan, however I would rather miss a hide than false. After 8 previous trials
with Atlas 4- NW1s and 4 – NW2s, I think the false alerts are harder to
reconcile with training than timing out, eating grass, getting distracted, or
stopping to work because he needing to poop or being distracted by peoples
movements. I learned a great deal and started reviewing in my mind as soon as I
was done, not to determine if a title was possible but instead to evaluate how
my plans and experience would get me ready for the next trial. What would I be
planning for my next training to work the areas that I thought could be a
problem; 20 degrees and 8” of snow is hard to find near me in central <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Texas</st1:place></st1:state> but maybe a trip
north. The time limits on the searches were not a factor this particular day,
but that doesn’t mean that would be a factor later. After thinking we missed a
hide in the interiors, I remember having plenty of time and I could have
covered any areas I missed. I also had decided to work on leash for interiors;
previously I’ve almost always worked off leash. A great day! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPEIC-F529ZeVRBSsardSfZYruVT3PdHsRB8eEukQolSEk-0mtLhKjynKbAnzb9tfPc-vbtanK7D0ZifoPt40ktSZsx7i69zNEhTkp1pZuXCSRdCbQorLRwiJoalOcFPikuoAt2tzKpgs/s1600/Atlas+-+NW3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPEIC-F529ZeVRBSsardSfZYruVT3PdHsRB8eEukQolSEk-0mtLhKjynKbAnzb9tfPc-vbtanK7D0ZifoPt40ktSZsx7i69zNEhTkp1pZuXCSRdCbQorLRwiJoalOcFPikuoAt2tzKpgs/s1600/Atlas+-+NW3.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Some of the highlights for learning were made afterward in the judges debrief and comments by the Certifying Official. I now reward when Atlas goes back to containers and re-reward to reinforce that odor is the most important, hoping to override any interest in distractors. I learned in the next NW3 that we work best when I let him lead, I held him from going back to a hide and was convinced there was a second hide, had I let him go back I would have called finish. In one of our previous trials firecrackers had spooked him so badly so the biggest smile was being so proud of Atlas that he was able to recover and work through the gun shots near by. A day where "No, No's" come from the judge, doesn't mean we get a title, but feeling confident in all situations to call "Alert" means we are working together as a team and that is the best feeling of all. <br />
</div>
Jason Henghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06845190203669394196noreply@blogger.com0