Meet Eddy.
You may have seen him previously on Instagram or you can follow him and his adventures here https://www.instagram.com/eddythedashy/
I've met Eddy a few times - initially for reactive behaviours and some separation distress, and also for cooperative care/husbandry behaviours. He is a lucky pup, as his mum is proactive and recognises when he is not comfortable with something and wants to improve his emotional state for the better.
You may have met his mum at some stage when you drop in to Chew Chomp and Chill. Her name is Alica. Say hi.
Our most recent session with Eddy was to help him with his confidence on walks. When he became overwhelmed or went to a new location, he would often shutdown, and stop walking and engaging.
So we incorporated something that Eddy has had some experience with before, and something that he enjoys. Sniffing.
Simply by using his nose, and encouraging him to sniff to find hidden rewards, he was much brighter and engaged with his environment. An advantage for this was a previous course with Bec at Hide n Seek where the basis for searching had been taught.
However this is easy enough to start at home, and once your dog has an understanding of what is expected, you can take it on the road. Sniffing and hunting out the small food rewards, toys or a novel odour, helps the dog become more confident and independent. When playing scent games, the dog will engage their seeking system (kind of like kids and an Easter egg hunt). Activation of the seeking system, will result in the release of dopamine (a neurotransmitter). Dopamine is considered a feel good chemical, and pushes the animal to continue to engage and focus on tasks.
We started with Eddy close to the entrance to the park. This allowed him to retreat back to the car should he have needed to.
With him mum holding his leash, I showed him what he was "hunting for" and went and hid the small rewards at an appropriate height (he is a dachshund so we don't want him jumping up or reaching too high) within a reasonable distance from him, gradually moving further away from the base point. Once hidden, he was given his search cue, and we followed at his pace while he found the rewards. Rewarding at the hide location will also really make it more exciting and worthwhile for the dog.
This link discussed one of the many ways you can teach your dog scent work. http://www.allpetseducationandtraining.com.au/scent-work-at-home.html
I am also currently enrolled in and completing an online scent course through The School of Canine Science. Throughout this course we will be teaching the dog scent work through 3 different methods, and I look forward to sharing them with you in future.
You may have seen him previously on Instagram or you can follow him and his adventures here https://www.instagram.com/eddythedashy/
I've met Eddy a few times - initially for reactive behaviours and some separation distress, and also for cooperative care/husbandry behaviours. He is a lucky pup, as his mum is proactive and recognises when he is not comfortable with something and wants to improve his emotional state for the better.
You may have met his mum at some stage when you drop in to Chew Chomp and Chill. Her name is Alica. Say hi.
Our most recent session with Eddy was to help him with his confidence on walks. When he became overwhelmed or went to a new location, he would often shutdown, and stop walking and engaging.
So we incorporated something that Eddy has had some experience with before, and something that he enjoys. Sniffing.
Simply by using his nose, and encouraging him to sniff to find hidden rewards, he was much brighter and engaged with his environment. An advantage for this was a previous course with Bec at Hide n Seek where the basis for searching had been taught.
However this is easy enough to start at home, and once your dog has an understanding of what is expected, you can take it on the road. Sniffing and hunting out the small food rewards, toys or a novel odour, helps the dog become more confident and independent. When playing scent games, the dog will engage their seeking system (kind of like kids and an Easter egg hunt). Activation of the seeking system, will result in the release of dopamine (a neurotransmitter). Dopamine is considered a feel good chemical, and pushes the animal to continue to engage and focus on tasks.
We started with Eddy close to the entrance to the park. This allowed him to retreat back to the car should he have needed to.
With him mum holding his leash, I showed him what he was "hunting for" and went and hid the small rewards at an appropriate height (he is a dachshund so we don't want him jumping up or reaching too high) within a reasonable distance from him, gradually moving further away from the base point. Once hidden, he was given his search cue, and we followed at his pace while he found the rewards. Rewarding at the hide location will also really make it more exciting and worthwhile for the dog.
This link discussed one of the many ways you can teach your dog scent work. http://www.allpetseducationandtraining.com.au/scent-work-at-home.html
I am also currently enrolled in and completing an online scent course through The School of Canine Science. Throughout this course we will be teaching the dog scent work through 3 different methods, and I look forward to sharing them with you in future.
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