Let's Talk: Creative Sniffy Events

In this spotlight episode, we speak with Melissa Stagnaro regarding the titling organization in the United States, American Rettungshunde Sport Association (ARSA), where teams may work a variety of classes based upon the rules set by the international Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) and the International Rescue Dog Organisation (IRO). This is excellent conversation discussing the details of ARSA and also how handlers may volunteer for local SAR-groups, to learn the ropes and see if they and their dogs may up for the task to join a team and deployed. Be sure to check out the following links to learn more about ARSA: https://www.searchandrescuesport.org ARSA - FB Page ARSA - YouTube   Melissa also mentions a great book that listeners may want to look into: Family Disaster Dogs by Amber Higgins   Speakers: Dianna L. Santos Melissa Stagnaro ----more---- Scent Work University is an online dog training platform focused on all things Scent Work. Our online courses, seminars, webinars and eBooks are not only for those who are interested in competition, but also for those dog owners who are simply looking for something fun and engaging to do with their dogs. Check out Scent Work University today! Interested in other dog sports, helping a new dog or puppy learn the ropes to be more successful at home and when out and about? Check out Pet Dog U, where we offer online dog training courses, webinars, mini-webinars, seminars as well as a regularly updated blog and podcast for all of your dog training needs! #allaboutscentworkpodcast #arsa #scentwork #nosework #scentworkpodcast #noseworkpodcast #scentworktraining #noseworktraining #onlinescentwork #onlinenosework #virtualscentwork #virtualnosework #scentworku #scentworkuniversity PODCAST TRANSCRIPT Read the full podcast transcript here.

13 Apr 202233min

In this roundtable discussion headed by Michelle Doram, we hear from the three varied experiences on how to manage expectations when competing in Nose Work. An excellent conversation between Jessica Koester, a CNWI and NACSW Judge, Monica Flores, a 10-year veteran Nose Work competitor and Jill Marie O'Brien, the co-founder of NACSW. The insights and stories shared in this conversation will help all dog and handler teams who are in any part of their competition journey, regardless of the venue.  Check out Michelle's Great Expectations: Creating your Scent Work Trial Experience Webinar. Speakers: Dianna L. Santos Michelle Doram Jessica Koester Jill Marie O'Brien Monica Flores ----more---- Scent Work University is an online dog training platform focused on all things Scent Work. Our online courses, seminars, webinars and eBooks are not only for those who are interested in competition, but also for those dog owners who are simply looking for something fun and engaging to do with their dogs. Check out Scent Work University today! Interested in other dog sports, helping a new dog or puppy learn the ropes to be more successful at home and when out and about? Check out Pet Dog U, where we offer online dog training courses, webinars, mini-webinars, seminars as well as a regularly updated blog and podcast for all of your dog training needs! #allaboutscentworkpodcast #scentwork #nosework #scentworkpodcast #noseworkpodcast #scentworktraining #noseworktraining #onlinescentwork #onlinenosework #virtualscentwork #virtualnosework #scentworku #scentworkuniversity PODCAST TRANSCRIPT Read the full podcast transcript here.

11 Apr 202252min

In Scent Work, we must be able to read our dog. What the dog's tells are as they are working a space, detecting, chasing and sourcing odor or investigating dog odor or crittering. However, missing from the conversation is having a more general understanding of how our dogs communicate with their bodies and how WE communicate to THEM with our bodies, movements, actions and inactions. Having this knowledge and understanding is crucially important for everyone to understand, whether they are handlers, trainers, instructors, class assistants, trial officials or trial volunteers. For instance, what a dog does to communicate they are being threatened or are putting out a threat or warning. Why does this matter within the context of Scent Work? Remember in this activity we are asking our dogs, predators, to hunt. If we are not careful with how we conduct ourselves, we could illicit a dog to try to bite. In this episode, we discuss the importance for everyone, but particularly trainers, instructors and trial officials, to have a solid understanding and education regarding canine body behavior to ensure everyone stays safe. At the very same time, stressing that owners be honest about their dogs and how as a community, we need to get off the trajectory of excusing dogs biting, minimizing behavioral issues such as resource guarding to "no big deal" and so on.  While these are difficult topics, we must talk about them. We will do our part at Scent Work University to provide resources geared toward helping owners, trainers/instructors and trial officials. Stay posted about our upcoming webinar series focusing on understanding canine body behavior within the context of Scent Work. Speaker: Dianna L. Santos ----more---- Scent Work University is an online dog training platform focused on all things Scent Work. Our online courses, seminars, webinars and eBooks are not only for those who are interested in competition, but also for those dog owners who are simply looking for something fun and engaging to do with their dogs. Check out Scent Work University today! Interested in other dog sports, helping a new dog or puppy learn the ropes to be more successful at home and when out and about? Check out Pet Dog U, where we offer online dog training courses, webinars, mini-webinars, seminars as well as a regularly updated blog and podcast for all of your dog training needs! #allaboutscentworkpodcast #caninebodybehavior #scentwork #nosework #scentworkpodcast #noseworkpodcast #scentworktraining #noseworktraining #onlinescentwork #onlinenosework #virtualscentwork #virtualnosework #scentworku #scentworkuniversity PODCAST TRANSCRIPT Read the full podcast transcript.

26 Mar 202234min

In this spotlight episode, we speak with Dana Zinn and Sue Sternberg about their collaborative. Dana and Sue are helping Scent Work teams elevate their training by focusing on the handler, highlighting what we are saying to the dogs during a search and how we may be clearer and more supportive throughout. Everyone who participates in Scent Work should look into what Dana and Sue are offering! Whether you are a handler, a trainer or instructor, their insight will allow you to improve your game and ensure you are being the best teammate your dog can have! Learn more about the video review webinars Dana and Sue offer here: Dana Zinn and Sue Sternberg Video Review Webinars — Zinn Dog Training Request a workshop here: Sternberg-Zinn Nose Work Collaborative — Zinn Dog Training Contact Dana Zinn here: Contact — Zinn Dog Training Contact Sue Sternberg here: suesternberg@icloud.com Speakers: Dianna L. Santos Sue Sternberg Dana Zinn ----more---- Scent Work University is an online dog training platform focused on all things Scent Work. Our online courses, seminars, webinars and eBooks are not only for those who are interested in competition, but also for those dog owners who are simply looking for something fun and engaging to do with their dogs. Check out Scent Work University today! Interested in other dog sports, helping a new dog or puppy learn the ropes to be more successful at home and when out and about? Check out Pet Dog U, where we offer online dog training courses, webinars, mini-webinars, seminars as well as a regularly updated blog and podcast for all of your dog training needs! #allaboutscentworkpodcast #scentworkhandling #handlingskills #dogdrivensearch #scentwork #nosework #scentworkpodcast #noseworkpodcast #scentworktraining #noseworktraining #onlinescentwork #onlinenosework #virtualscentwork #virtualnosework #scentworku #scentworkuniversity PODCAST TRANSCRIPT Read the full transcript here.

10 Mar 202245min

Strap in, this is a blunt, real-talk episode. It is high-time that all of us within the Scent Work community hold ourselves to a higher standard where treating one another with respect is a requirement. Addressing questions, concerns or issues directly with those involved instead of rushing to social media to bash them behind their back. Calling out people who try to steal someone else's light just to make themselves appear "bigger and better". Demanding that instructors, trial officials and professionals stop expecting reverence while treating their colleagues as "lesser than" or dirt. Instead, requiring these professionals to treat each other as equals with the common goal of HELPING dogs and their handlers. We need to focus on our DOGS.  In short: We. Must. Do. Better. Enough is enough. Speaker: Dianna L. Santos ----more---- Scent Work University is an online dog training platform focused on all things Scent Work. Our online courses, seminars, webinars and eBooks are not only for those who are interested in competition, but also for those dog owners who are simply looking for something fun and engaging to do with their dogs. Check out Scent Work University today! Interested in other dog sports, helping a new dog or puppy learn the ropes to be more successful at home and when out and about? Check out Pet Dog U, where we offer online dog training courses, webinars, mini-webinars, seminars as well as a regularly updated blog and podcast for all of your dog training needs! #allaboutscentworkpodcast #scentwork #nosework #scentworkpodcast #noseworkpodcast #scentworktraining #noseworktraining #onlinescentwork #onlinenosework #virtualscentwork #virtualnosework #scentworku #scentworkuniversity PODCAST TRANSCRIPT Read the full transcript here.

3 Feb 202230min

Working on advanced, higher-level, or challenging training concepts seems to imply our dog must struggle when they are trying to solve the puzzle. Otherwise, it is not a challenge, right? But what if the dog goes into the space, applying all the skills they mastered already, and immediately solves the puzzle? "UGH! I guess that was too easy. So disappointing!" In this episode, we discuss the importance of keeping in mind what our goals are when we are training and properly rewarding the dog when they do what we were looking for in the first place. If your dog aced the same search in a trial, you would be THRILLED. Why then are you disappointed in training? Speaker: Dianna L. Santos ----more---- Scent Work University is an online dog training platform focused on all things Scent Work. Our online courses, seminars, webinars and eBooks are not only for those who are interested in competition, but also for those dog owners who are simply looking for something fun and engaging to do with their dogs. Check out Scent Work University today! Interested in other dog sports, helping a new dog or puppy learn the ropes to be more successful at home and when out and about? Check out Pet Dog U, where we offer online dog training courses, webinars, mini-webinars, seminars as well as a regularly updated blog and podcast for all of your dog training needs! #allaboutscentworkpodcast #scentwork #nosework #scentworkpodcast #noseworkpodcast #scentworktraining #noseworktraining #onlinescentwork #onlinenosework #virtualscentwork #virtualnosework #scentworku #scentworkuniversity PODCAST TRANSCRIPT Read the full transcript here.

24 Jan 202221min

This roundtable discussion is dedicated to all the Scent Work instructors out there. In this episode, we discuss dealing with expectations and how instructors can steal their own joy if they are not careful. This is a riveting conversation we are hoping will help all instructors realize they are not alone if they are struggling with self-doubt, second-guessing themselves or worried about stepping out to showcase their abilities. We have all been there! This conversation is only possible thanks to the incredibly talented Michelle Doram of White Collar K9, Michele Ellertson of The Dog's PACE, Michael McManus of Ready, Sit, Go and Khara Schuetzner of The Doggie Spot. It is wonderful they were all open to having this discussion, sharing their stories and making it okay to talk about these topics openly! Speakers: Dianna L. Santos Michelle Doram Michele Ellertson Michael McManus Khara Schuetzner ----more---- Scent Work University is an online dog training platform focused on all things Scent Work. Our online courses, seminars, webinars and eBooks are not only for those who are interested in competition, but also for those dog owners who are simply looking for something fun and engaging to do with their dogs. Check out Scent Work University today! Interested in other dog sports, helping a new dog or puppy learn the ropes to be more successful at home and when out and about? Check out Pet Dog U, where we offer online dog training courses, webinars, mini-webinars, seminars as well as a regularly updated blog and podcast for all of your dog training needs! #allaboutscentworkpodcast #scentwork #nosework #scentworkpodcast #noseworkpodcast #scentworktraining #noseworktraining #onlinescentwork #onlinenosework #virtualscentwork #virtualnosework #scentworku #scentworkuniversity PODCAST TRANSCRIPT Read the full podcast transcript here.

5 Jan 202246min

In this roundtable episode, we discuss what makes Michelle Doram of White Collar K9, Michele Ellertson of The Dog's PACE, Michael McManus of Ready, Sit, Go and Khara Schuetzner of The Doggie Spot cringe at Scent Work trials. We hope that everyone who competes gives this episode a listen to ensure they are not causing their trial officials to cringe. Be certain to check out Michele Ellertson's How to Make Your Trial Official (and Instructor) Cringe Webinar. Speakers: Dianna L. Santos Michelle Doram Michele Ellertson Michael McManus Khara Schuetzner ----more---- Scent Work University is an online dog training platform focused on all things Scent Work. Our online courses, seminars, webinars and eBooks are not only for those who are interested in competition, but also for those dog owners who are simply looking for something fun and engaging to do with their dogs. Check out Scent Work University today! Interested in other dog sports, helping a new dog or puppy learn the ropes to be more successful at home and when out and about? Check out Pet Dog U, where we offer online dog training courses, webinars, mini-webinars, seminars as well as a regularly updated blog and podcast for all of your dog training needs! #allaboutscentworkpodcast #scentwork #nosework #scentworkpodcast #noseworkpodcast #scentworktraining #noseworktraining #onlinescentwork #onlinenosework #virtualscentwork #virtualnosework #scentworku #scentworkuniversity PODCAST TRANSCRIPT Read the full transcript here.

31 Des 202131min