Scent Discrimination Training

Items to use in order to get good scent for a search

• Use organic matter if at all possible

• Hair from person's hair brush

• Tooth brush used by person

• Bring everyone together that has been around crime scene

• The object of this is that when presented the actual scent article the dog will eliminate all but the scent looking for

• Next task would be to do a large circle of the area

• Keep everyone in one place to prevent scent disturbances

• Heat and Moisture are the 2 thing that will break down scent

• When introducing the dog to the scent article for the first time hold him back letting him pull to get to article which will increase his drive for that scent

• Never push dogs nose into scent article

• Only give the search command when the dog is reaching and smelling the scent

NOTE : Scent on Cement rarely stays in place

NOTE : Scent can crawl into the cracks and hold so trust your dog

NOTE: Scent moves more from hard surfaces

Before each training session note the following:

•  Wind Direction & Speed

•  Air Temperature

•  Ground Temperature

•  % Humidity

** The following diagrams will explain some ways to start teaching this **

• Introduce your dog to the scent article and walk into the track at a 90 deg. angle
• A session should consist of a set of 3 using different areas for each one and always rotating the Decoy and Target to insure your dog does not sense a pattern..
• Do not re-run the same tracks.

After the above is mastered continue to the following:

continue to the following: