Scentwork Trainers, Part 2

Becoming a Trainer. Part 2

Aims and objectives

The course will provide trainers with the skills and knowledge to confidently teach Scentwork to an intermediate level . The course is focused on advancing Scentwork to clients who have already completed the part 1 course.

The course will provide structured training in order to understand the progression and the introduction of distractions and moving onto area searches.

We aim to develop your skills in the context of scentwork training and to further your general canine knowledge and competence so as to provide courses suitable to advanced clients in the world of scentwork.

The course is run over two days, after the course you will be required to gain experience for 3 months when you will then be asked to submit some short videos of your progression training for intermediate levels. Successful completion leads to the award of an intermediate scentwork trainers certificate.

Applications are invited from those who have already completed the ‘Train the Trainers’ Part 1.

Please select a course from the schedule in the side bar for an application form.

Scentwork

  • Introducing scent distraction odours
  • Understanding what to do if interest or indication is shown on a distraction odour
  • Understanding search patterns
  • Identifying what to look for when walking the search areas
  • Randomising reward types
  • Introducing environmental distractions
  • Training how to move on between finds without a physical reward
  • Understanding the requirements of intermediate scentwork trials.
  • Teaching “competition skills” for intermediate trials.

People

  • Prepare to progress handlers skills
  • Continue to Identify learning styles to boost learning
  • Identify limitations in both handler and dog (breed, size, age, disability, genetics, behaviour)
  • Building confidence to transition from beginners to more advanced competition
  • Give constructive feedback
  • Build motivation in both the dog and the handler with the step up to area searching
  • Dealing with after trial questions
  • Sourcing venues for advanced training

Canine skills and behaviour

  • Continue to develop handling skills of students including body language, verbal cues, positioning etc (on and off lead) when searching areas
  • The nose and how it works
  • Dog welfare