BCCNSW

Scent Work

Scent Work for your Border Collie

Although Scent Work is a relatively new ANKC sport, implemented on 1st July 2020, it has been around in a variety of forms for many years. The sport is based on the work of detection dogs (eg those who search for drugs or explosives). It is suitable for dogs of all ages, shapes and sizes (must be over 6 months to compete in trials), and is particularly helpful to assist ‘reactionary’ dogs and those who may not be able to handle the conditions asked of them during other trial situations. Scent Work builds confidence, burns off mental and physical energy and enhances the bond between dog and handler.

Scent Work Trialling

The sport requires dogs to find one of four odours (birch, anise, clove and cypress), in different environments. The odour is usually a cotton bud contained within a small phial with holes at each end to allow the scent to escape. The type of odour depends on the dog’s level of training, whether Novice, Advanced, Excellent or Masters.

The four “environments” are known as “Elements”: Interior, Exterior, Container and Vehicle. Dogs and handlers can undertake searching in any or all of the Elements during a trial. Each Element is judged separately during a trial. Novice dogs search for a stand alone scent, usually birch. Advanced search for two odours, Excellent search for three odours and Masters dogs may search for any or all of the four scents. Novice dogs search for one “hide”, Advanced two “hides”, Excellent three “hides” and Masters, for an unknown number between one and three “hides”.

Photo right is in the Containers area

Search areas are determined by the Judge, and may be any shape, however, the size of the search area is determined by ANKC Ltd Rules. The location of and accessibility of each of the hides is determined by the Rules as is the time allowed for the search. Dogs and handlers are not permitted to enter the search area prior to the beginning of the search. Most handlers have their dogs in a harness for searching, and a lead can be of any length, however, most handlers prefer leads of 2-3 metres in length.

The sport encourages the handler and dog to work as a team, the handler learns to read their dog’s signals and it is a fun and engaging activity for the dogs, who get to use their strongest sense, that of scent detection. The handler uses their body language to encourage the dog to search thoroughly within the different Elements, the dog “alerts” the handler to the “hide”, and the handler lets the judge know when the dog has found the hide/scent.

Dogs are timed for each search, if the “hide” is correctly identified by dog and handler within the time limit, the dog qualifies in that particular search Element.

Scent Work Titles

Given that there are four Elements in In Scent Work, dogs may progress through each of the Elements at a different rate. For example, it may pass Novice Vehicle and progress to Advanced Vehicle level before passing the Novice Interior Element.

Generally, dogs can achieve a Novice title (SWN) with six passes in total across each of the Elements under at least two different judges. Advanced (SWA) requires nine passes, Excellent (SWE) requires twelve passes and Masters (SWM) also twelve passes across each of the Elements.

Dogs can also qualify for each Element separately, ie, ‘SWC’ signifying Scent Work Container Element; ‘SWI’ Interior Element; ‘SWX’ Exterior Element and ‘SWV’ Vehicle Element.

Rules for Scent Work Trials and Titles

Given the relative newness of this sport, the rules are reviewed and updated regularly. It is advisable to check with the Australian National Kennel Council Ltd for the most recent interpretation of Rules.

With thanks to: ANKC Ltd Rules for the Conduct of Scent Work Trials, Pawformance Training and Scent Dogs Australia

Article supplied by Carol Dawes and published with our thanks.