First scent work session completed - Millie is a natural!!!!

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We’ve just got back from our first scent work session and i had to post to say.... it was brilliant!

Lots of distractions as we had to start off outdoors, Millie was very pleased to find a bunny to chase and nearly had an early lunch ?

But as I’d expected, she got the hang of it SO quickly - and she was tired by the end!!!! I can’t tell you how wonderful that is ?

We have our homework to do and are going back next week for our second session

 

[twiggy2]

I love this.
What sort of scent work was it?

 

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There were a number of boxes and things placed in an area, a treat was placed on top of some of the boxes and she had to go and find the treats. When she had found all the treats I would go to her at the location of the final ‘find’ and reward her.

Started off with one box, then two then worked up to 6 or so - last session was putting out treats while she was out of sight, then asking her to go and find them.

Also had the introduction of cloves! Sticking her head into a clove scented yogurt pot and getting a reward for doing that, and getting a reward if she ‘found’ (I.e touched the top of) a clove scented chocolate tub. So (obvs) she begins to associate the smell of cloves with getting a reward.

I’m off shopping for cloves and cocktail sausages this evening ?

And I have to keep taking pics of her asleep ?

 

[twiggy2]

Similar sort of work I did with Maz, we started with cigarette filters tainted with gun oil in a single box and progresses from there to 2 boxes, one empty and one with the tip in, reward given for marking the box with the tip.
I think what Maz found hardest was when we built up the time she had to mark for before getting released and rewarded.
I am glad Millie is tired, Maz loved it.

 

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Yes apparently we work up to the delayed reward thing! It was so difficult because the training had to be outside and she did get distracted by wildlife a few times, but she was loads better with that than I’d expected ?

I keep repeating myself I know ? but the change in her demeanour as the session went on was amazing - and she really is way too intelligent for me ???

 

[planete]

Go Millie! (and Lev of course)

 

[palo1]

Brilliant idea Lev! I bet Millie felt fantastic after doing so well

 

[twiggy2]

Brain thinking and driving her rather than being driven/high on adrenaline is how it was for Maz, I use that sort of thing a lot when teaching and it works for so many dogs.

 

[Clodagh]

That's a brilliant report, I am so glad it went well. And a sleepy lurcher is a happy owner!

 

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I’m so very grateful to all of you guys for suggesting it!

It’s something I’ve never done and really know nothing about, so it just wouldn’t have occurred to me to try - as I said to Catherine the trainer, the sessions are just as much about teaching me as they are about teaching Millie ?

 

[Clodagh]

I’m so very grateful to all of you guys for suggesting it!

It’s something I’ve never done and really know nothing about, so it just wouldn’t have occurred to me to try - as I said to Catherine the trainer, the sessions are just as much about teaching me as they are about teaching Millie ?

I went training (gundog) on Monday and said 'I don't need to bring the dogs, you just need to train me', she said 'Is always the way'.

 

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So while we are sitting around waiting for MrsM’s pictures ???..... I did Millie’s first ‘home’ training session today. It has rained all day so we were indoors - the kitchen isn’t very big so I decided to be adventurous and put boxes out along the hallway as well, including out of sight around the corner! A bit of a panic in case I was pushing things far too far.....

I brought her out of the bedroom where she had been shut away, gave her the command ‘go find them’ and she nailed the whole lot first time ????

I am so proud of her!

 

[Clodagh]

So while we are sitting around waiting for MrsM’s pictures ???..... I did Millie’s first ‘home’ training session today. It has rained all day so we were indoors - the kitchen isn’t very big so I decided to be adventurous and put boxes out along the hallway as well, including out of sight around the corner! A bit of a panic in case I was pushing things far too far.....

I brought her out of the bedroom where she had been shut away, gave her the command ‘go find them’ and she nailed the whole lot first time ????

I am so proud of her!

She’s going to get you used to trainable rather than ornamental breeds ??

 

[FinnishLapphund]

Tired dog, happy owner! She looks very content.