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Continue reading →: In Praise of Sniffy Adventures
And now, just for a change of pace, a bit of creative writing… Sunday morning, I am up early walking the dogs before the heat sets in. They all get separate walks when I have time, as they all have different needs at this point in their lives. Astra goes…
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Continue reading →: 11 Guidelines for AKC Scent Work Competitions
There have been a few facebook posts recently asking about scent work trial etiquette. I thought I would take a stab at writing some up, a reminder for me, some instruction for my students. Many of us are experienced dog sport competitors, but new folks are starting scent work all…
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Continue reading →: Why You Should Go to the Container Briefing
This is the scenario at just about every AKC trial I attend: there is a general briefing, announcements, judges’ comments, and then everyone splits up to go look at the search areas before the judging begins. And, inevitably, the areas that people crowd to go to look at are the…
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Continue reading →: The One AKC Scent Work Regulation You Need to Know About
I was at a trial recently. For once, I was not judging, and I was not on the volunteer roster, so I got to spend a lot of time in the crating area, reading and relaxing before my classes. And friends, it was not pretty. There was A LOT of…
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Continue reading →: The Perfect Master Interior Search Areas
7/31/2024 When I got the email announcing the venue change for the trial, I was immediately apprehensive. I had chosen to enter this trial specifically because they were holding it in a school, which is my favorite type of trial site, and the judges’ panel was well chosen. I am…
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Continue reading →: Preparing for the Master Buried Class
July 9, 2024 I have been prepping for my runs in Master Buried in a week or so. Although Yeti does have a leg towards his Masters title in this element, his performances have been inconsistent, and I would rather go prepared rather than leave it to chance. On his…
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Continue reading →: What I Wish Trial Chairs Knew (Part Two: Interiors)
July 4, 2024 One word: Walls. You need walls for dogs to search interiors effectively. Particularly if the number of hides are unknown and the handler is being asked to make a decision about when the dog is finished searching. A partial area of a room is ok for the…
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Continue reading →: What I Wish Trial Chairs Knew (part one–the buried element)
June 14, 2024 I want to preface this post with the caveat that I have the greatestrespect for the folks who volunteer to chair a trial or work on a trialcommittee. It can be a difficult, thankless job, and it very, very tough to findgood venues that will meet all…
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Continue reading →: Debugging Containers & Odor Concentration
Last week I had a friend set up a containers search for Yeti: 15 plastic containers with 3 hides, 4 food distractions and two toy distractions (in the containers). We have been doing a lot of container work, and I was pretty sure that Yeti would get these hides quickly,…
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Continue reading →: Retiring the Scent Work Dog
Eleanor Frisbee on a search Today, for a change of pace, I am publishing a piece by my good friend andfellow judge, Julie Morton. This topic of when to retire nosework dogs is nearand dear to my heart; it is something that all of us must consider sooner orlater, and…
Hello,
I’m Ellen
A Scent Work trainer, instructor, competitor, student, and judge. Welcome to Sniffing Around Scent Work, a blog where I write about my experiences, thoughts and musings on my favorite past time.
Sniffing Around Scent Work 