So what's the conflict? Apparently they use small tins in teaching nosework when you get the dog on odor and we won't want her retrieving those tins. We'll start that in about two and a half weeks. Joyce and I have discussed it at length and will make a few changes to the way we use the tins in nosework and hope that it won't be a problem. Some things are already big clues that there is a different expectation. The differences are:
- she'll be in harness for nosework; just a collar for scent discrimination
- we're at the training building for nosework; at home for scent discrimination
- we can use smaller tins for nosework; Altoid size for scent discrimination
- plain tins for nosework; printed tins for scent discrimination
- no scent of mine on tins for nosework; with my scent for scent discrimination
- we'll hide tins off the floor for nosework; tins will be on the floor for scent discrimination
- tins for nosework will be secured making them hard to pick up; not secured for scent discrimination
- I move in to reward her for finding them in nosework; I remain stationary for scent discrimination
- "where-zit" cue for nosework; when its on cue will be "find mine" for scent discrimination
Tonight we did a quick session of retrieving the tins. Five retrieves with me kneeling on the floor and then five with me sitting on a couple of cushions. Took her a couple tries to figure out that she still needed to bring them to my hands when I moved off the floor, but once she did figure it out - she nailed it repeatedly.
Besides, we were using her favorite treat in the whole world - pieces of hamburger bun. This dog loves bread more than anything.
2 comments:
How about something in a different shape. small flat Tupperware type containers with holes or cheese spread containers for scent discrimination.
Otherwise, teach tracking then when she is proficient at it, then teach scent discrimination when she is proficient, then and only then expect her to tell the difference in size and patterns for container discrimination.
Not a bad idea and close to something I proposed. I suggested I get her an old fashioned metal tea ball for nosework. That's still a fall back plan if she has difficulty. Now that we've talked it through and discussed all the discriminating cues, I don't think she will have a problem. BTW nosework is not a tracking behavior, per se. Its more like drug or bomb detection.
I think the biggest clues will be the building and my behavior. It will require me to be really alert to behaviors that show she is "on odor" so I can move in and reward her at the source. That is what I need to do anyway, so its entirely consistent and will force me to be alert to her behavior and not fall back on admiring her cuteness all the time. Besides, for a long time I will still know where the odors are...
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