Graduation Day

Today was the last session of our Noseworks class. I must admit I'm glad my Saturday mornings will be my own again, although I really have enjoyed the classes. Diana taught this class and her enthusiasm was contagious. She makes learning fun for the owner despite the fact that the owner's dog is quite noisy! (Ahem! Quiet Bella!) Actually today there were several noisy dogs, so I wasn't nearly as embarrassed!

We had an overly full class so too many dogs—six, as a matter of fact. The room in which we work is tiny and six enthusiastic dogs was not only raucous, but didn't allow very many turns, nor many sessions within a turn. However, it was fun to see how the new dogs (doing a make-up session) worked.

At the end of class we did a run on scent which is going to be the focus if we go on (which both Shari and I will do after the holidays). Instead of using various sized open boxes and placing a kibble in the box or along the wall somewhere, Diana put out five pizza boxes with holes punched in the lid. The kibbles were inside (we haven't yet worked with more difficult scents like birch) and the dog had to indicate which box held the odor. Sounds simple, but even the stellar nose dogs had a hard time with this.

For the first time, the owners did not know which box held the scent, so we had to key into our dog to know when they'd found something. On some occasions it was obvious—Bella tried to walk off with the box—but usually it was really subtle. Because the dog couldn't see the food or get to it, they might smell it, but often walked on.

When Level II begins, it will be interesting to see how alert the owners are to their dogs picking up the scent. I think it will still be lots of fun, but much more difficult.

On a last note, I talked with my vet yesterday about the class. She's taking her very old lab through the program. Her dog is deaf and nearly blind and was becoming increasingly more reclusive. Since the dog has been doing the class, she said the dog is much more lively even at home and now searches for toys in the dog box. Very sweet.