How to Scent Train Your Dog

Teaching your dog to retrieve an item or search for a person by their scent is very difficult. It is, however, a very valuable skill for your dog to have. Dogs that are trained for scent are used in search and rescue operations and can be an incredible asset on a lifesaving mission.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dog
• Leash
• Four foot by four foot area (“find” area)
• Sticks
• Variety of objects that can be “scented

Getting Started

1. Place six sticks in a small area approximately four feet by four feet. This is your “find” area. Take one of your “find” articles and put it inside of your shirt in order to scent it adequately with your odor. Leash your pet.

2. Heel your dog at a point about ten feet from “find” area. Give the dog the “stay” command and take one of the scented items from your shirt. Toss the scented item in the air and get the dog’s attention. Then pass it under the dog’s nose in order for it to get the scent of the item. Remind the dog to “stay” and walk to the “find” area. Place the scented item near the sticks in a place that is visible to you. Return to the dog and wave your hand under its nose to remind it of the scent. Give the command, “Find it,” and gesture for the dog to move toward the articles. Repeat the commands until the dog moves toward the “find” area.

3. Follow behind the dog as it approaches the “find” area. You should be close enough to encourage the dog, but not so close as to be a distraction. Praise the dog quietly as it sniffs at the different objects.

4. Tell the dog 'no', quietly, if the dog tries to pick up a stick instead of the scented item, while gently guiding the dog away from that item. When the dog finally sniffs at the scented article, respond quickly and excitedly, “Good, good. Find it. Find it.” Even if the dog does not react immediately to the scent, your tone of voice should indicate to it that it has found the right object. Once the dog picks up the article, give it the command to bring it to you.

5. Praise your dog. When the dog brings you the scented item, spend some time petting him and telling him what a good “find” it was. Walk the dog away from the “find” area. If the dog wishes to carry the item, allow him to do that. This is the time to end the first session. Continuing now could risk a failure when the process is repeated. This may confuse and frustrate the dog.

6. Repeat this process for three sessions. Once you have completed these successfully, try placing your scented object in the “find” area before bring the dog to it. Once this is successful for several sessions, change to a different item. Any problems you may determine that the dog has with new articles can be remedied by placing them inside of a cloth glove.

Tips & Warnings

• When you place the sticks in the “find” area, be sure that you wear rubber gloves to avoid transferring any of your scents to the twigs. This could confuse the dog when searching for the scented article.
• Be careful to use a soft voice and only encourage your dog. Harsh tones and words not only discourage your dog, but will confuse him because he will not understand what he did wrong.