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AKC Scent Work seminar with Silke Satzinger

On November 12, 2022, Trü and I attended an AKC scentwork seminar taught by Silke Satzinger at Richmond Dog Obedience Club.  It was really fun to learn some new ways to start teaching scentwork and great to see how Trü handled the seminar environment.  She was a bit nervous at first, but she loves working for food.  The talking portion of the seminar allowed Trü to get settled and she was ready to work for hot dogs when we got started. 

Some beginning tips from Silke included:

  1. use good smelly treats - kids frozen meatballs make great training treats
  2. take your time and have the same routine each time you train
  3. equipment should be different for every sport.  Silke uses a vest and harness similar to what I would use in tracking

Working Session #1 - It's Your Choice

The first portion of the working sessions consisted of an "It's Your Choice" type of game where the handler holds the container with the odor in one hand and food in the other hand.  When the dog chooses the hand with the odor, use your marker work and feed from the other hand.  Some of the points Silke made were:

  1. look at the hand with odor in it so the dog will also pay attention to that hand.
  2. hide the hand with the odor (over your head) until you have food ready to feed.  Don't let them have a chance to touch the hand with odor in it if you aren't ready to reward them.
  3. When you are starting a new dog keep your hands close together.  Once they understand the game you can:
    1. Name it and give a consistent command "Find it" or "Search"
    2. move your hands further apart
    3. wait for the dogs to spend more time on the odor before rewarding
  4. send the dog away by throwing treat so you can reset and be ready to treat for touching the hand with odor.  Use another command like "Get it".
  5. Tug to give the dog a break from using it nose.
At a trial, feed on source even if the dog didn't find the source.  Ask the judge where it is so you can show your dog.  5-10 treats on source one at a time.  Don't say anything.  Rapid fire!


  • When the dog is using their nose (On scent) they close their mouth.  Look for the dog's mouth to be closed.
  • At a trial if the dog doesn't find the scent the judge will tell you where it is
  • Quickly go to the scent, put your hand on it and treat
  • Feed into your hand that is on top of the scent
  • In novice, feed three treats - one at a time

At a trial:
  • There are warm up boxes and a recovery box incase the dog didn't find the scent.
  • You can use 10 foot lead or whatever is best for your dog
  • can use 20 foot lead if your dog works better further away from you or a flexi
  • don't nag your dog, just let them sleep in their crate
  • Do not reward your dog until the judge says, "Yes"
  • Say "Alert" when your dog finds odor.
  • Take your dog to different environments to search - pair odor with food

Working Session #2 - Container Searches

Silke setup 8 boxes with odor in one.  The dogs can two chances to find the odor in two different locations.  All the dogs went and then she moved the hot container and we all got to go again.  Trü was very happy and excited to search and found the hides both times.

Boxes
  • Hot container (the one with odor) - store separately from the other boxes and always make that the "Hot Container"
  • Put the odor in tupperware before putting the tupperware with the odor inside it into the box because the tupperware can go in the dishwasher
  • Leave the hide in the box 10 minutes before search so dog has scent to find.

Other notes
  • setup circles when training, not straight lines
  • learn how to work with your dog on the right, not just on the left

Working Session #3 - Two Room Searches

The first was a small room with a table and chairs.  The two hides were on a chair and Trü found one but had a bit of trouble finding the second on a step of a ladder that was sitting again the wall.  I stepped close to it and she finally found it.

The second was in the large room in the RDOC Annex.  We walked all the way around the room to find the two hides and she seemed to have less trouble with these hides on the chair and on the floor behind a chair.

I really enjoyed this seminar and Trü seemed to have fun!  I'm looking forward to doing more scent work with her.

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