The activity and sport of K9 Scent Detection , comes from professional police and military detection. Whether it is an activity or a sport, the dog should learn  to run the show and work away and independently of the handler. Different methods are used to train scent detection. X Learning K9s does not subscribe to any single method but encourage handlers to appreciate a natural response from the dog.  There is beauty in a dog trying to communicate with the handler in his/her own away and the handler knowing exactly what the dog is saying. Focused responses can be trained as well, if that is the handler preference.  We evaluate each individual dog and adjust training and equipment used, depending on the animal and handler needs. Some of the benefits of this activity/sport are:

 

-Building the animal confidence through successful trials.
-Building hunting and problem solving skills utilizing hide placements and environment manipulation.

-Helping owner/handler to establish a positive relationship with their companions.

-Learning to read body language and recognize “in odor behavior” and “changes of behavior”.

-Safe environment in which each dog can play the game.

-Handler/owner does not need to start with any particular handling or training skills.

-The only obedience required is obedience to odor, which comes with time, training and experience.

-Every dog and every handler can be involved.

 

X Learning K9s introduce dogs to legal odors/substances, in the majority of cases, that are used by different sporting associations. The dogs learn to hunt and alert to these scents. Searches are made of different elements: containers, interiors, exteriors, and vehicles. Searches are set up to build hunt drive and learn the skills necessary to perform in each element with confidence. The initial training consists of putting value on a scent that was previously neutral, paring it with a primary reinforcer such as food or toy. We always use food in the early stage of the process with all dogs. That allow us to work with an animal that can think, slow down and focus, which does not always happen when a toy/ball is present .  X Learning K9s uses PVC tubes, cardboard boxes , pods and other type of containers during the imprinting phase and then move to accessible hides placed in the environment.
As the training and experience of the dog progresses hides will be made inaccessible.  Handlers are taught handling skills as well as observe the dog to determine when it is helpful to step in and when to let the dog work on his/her own. Searching for blind hides (location of hide unknown to handler), elevation, distractions etc are introduced later in the game. With different sporting venues popping up there has been a lot of pressure for “passive alerts” to be the only way to go. While we can certainly train dogs for passive alerts and handler chosen behaviors we believe in the beauty of natural communication, which varies with each dog involved.  It is our job, as handlers, to recognize what a dog is saying to us. 

**  Sport detection has been picking up in the past few years and the quality of trainers greatly varies. We suggest to work with a trainer that has titled his/her dogs  ,  has students that titled their dogs, has a solid background in canine detection, understand scent theory, has invested in an education while still keeping up with it and can work with all type and breed of dogs.  **