What is scent work? Q&A with Jo Brook
Jo Brook is a rewards-based dog trainer, who owns Positively Canine in Hambleton, North Yorkshire. Jo specialises in helping people to build a connection with their dog, helping puppies during their early stages, teaching Parkour, Rally, and getting amazing recalls! Jo’s main passion, however, is Scent Detection. Jo is a Scent Ops judge up to Gold level, an assessor for the national Nosework Association odour recognition tests & is approved to carry out Nosework Games. In this Q&A, Jo explains what is scent work? And tells us about the benefits of including scent work, in your dog’s regular routine.
Jo has completed an instructors with Jane Arden at Waggawuffins Canine College where she became qualified to teach people and train dogs, she is an instructor for Veterans with Dogs, and is currently working towards becoming an approved instructor with the International Dog Parkour Association, as well as being a member of The Pet Professional Guild and the Pet Professional Network.
What is Scent Work? Q&A with Jo Brook
Scent Work, Scent Detection, Nose Work – these are all real buzz words in the dog world at the moment. Can you explain what these terms mean?
In a nutshell, your dog uses their amazing sense of smell to search for a particular odour we want them to, be it bombs, drugs, human scent, or medical detection dogs that will alert owners with conditions such as diabetes and of course, they can detect cancer too
Of all the different areas of dog training you’re involved in, why is Scent Detection your favourite?
This is such a natural activity for the dog to do. We know they can sniff right? How amazing is it that they get to do something they love WITH us. It helps to build optimism in dogs, they love it and the owners really love working with their dogs, learning more about how amazing they are. Owners learn about reading their dogs body language, knowing when to help and support them, knowing when they have hit the scent plume and it gives them great joy to watch the dog working the scent plume to its source and working the puzzles out. Because we work dogs one at a time dogs that may be a little worried or anxious are welcome. It is so nice to see how these dogs after one session start to settle and relax, you can clearly see the shift from an obviously anxious dog that’s flying around the room manically sniffing, to a dog that relaxes into, states to search more systematically and the breathing is much calmer. I have had dogs that have switched from being so worried about coming in to the training barn to then not wanting to leave!
Dogs Noses are Amazing – FUN FACTS
- They can sniff out the equivalent of 1 teaspoon of sugar in 2 Olympic-sized swimming pools!
- They have a vomeronasal organ on the roof of their mouth for processing pheromones. So, when your dog’s nose is dripping (this helps to capture the scent molecules) and they are drooling and chattering their teeth they are processing pheromones!
- They breathe in through the round holes at the front of their nose and out via the slits at the side!
- They can sniff with each nostril independently so they can smell in stereo!
- They have around 300 million scent receptors we have a mere 6 million!
- These are just a few examples … dogs are brilliant!
Can any dog take part in scent detection? Or is it more suited to some breeds more than others?
It is open for any dog which is what I love. I have Gilbert, a Deerhound x Borzoi so more suited to using his eyes than his nose but he competes and does well. Obviously not all dogs would make operational dogs, they do tend to be spaniels, labs, GSDs but for what I do all breeds are very welcome.
Is this something you can do with puppies?
YES! Absolutely! Again, this is why I love it so much, all ages and abilities can do it. We would just adapt to the sessions to suit the dog in front of us.
Do you need to have completed obedience classes to start scent work with your dog?
NOPE! No obedience needed for this, even if you have a dog that struggles to focus on you, scentwork will help them too.
How can scent work benefit my dog?
It has loads of benefits, builds optimism, gives them a natural outlet, tires them out in a word search kind of way, giving them that all important mental stimulation. Can help them overcome anxieties, great for dogs that perhaps can’t go for walks or are a little less mobile.
Can you still get involved if your dog is nervous or reactive with other dogs?
Most definitely yes! Dogs are worked one at a time. And it has so many benefits for dogs like this. As mentioned above, I have had anxious dogs not wanting to come into the training barn but once they have done some searching, usually for food to start with, they haven’t wanted to leave and are super keen to come back in again! I have been working with a very noise-sensitive collie, who hates farm machinery, especially the beeping of the reversing. We went from a dog that would have a meltdown and have to leave, to a dog that mid-search, would stop, hear the noises, but then choose to carry on searching rather than want to bolt. It’s so amazing to see.
Is it expensive? Do I need a lot of specialist equipment?
You don’t need much equipment at all. We get dogs onto the odour of red Kong first, then gun oil so they are your main expense. Costs of classes vary, but I try to keep things as low cost as possible to allow more people to come and enjoy scent work.
Is Scent Detection just for fun? Or is there the opportunity to compete and show off your dog’s skills?
The journey is yours and you can take it as far as you like. We run ScentOps trials, Nosework Games and are in the process of starting National Nosework Association odour recognition tests with the intention of starting trials too.
LINKS
Jo provides 1-2-1 and group dog training classes at her premises near Northallerton. Along with running various courses and workshops, Jo regularly hosts seminars and training days with Pet Professionals from across the country. You can find out more here https://www.positivelycanine.co.uk/