Nosey Dog Scent Class

The scene: Ottawa Canine School on a Friday night
The participants: 8 very different dogs
The goal: To try out having your dogs sniff out treats in identical pizza boxes
Our reason for going: To see if Lee liked this or was good at it before considering putting her in a class; to expose her to new things; to tire her out.

Here is our story:

Lee: We were going in the car and I didn't recognize at first where we were going, I was looking out the window and then I saw it and I was sooooooo excited. I remembered it. School! I get lots of treats there.

Lady: I could tell you remembered, you did your I know where we are singing.

Lee: It was so exciting and I had to wait a little and then I went first and I got so many treats. It was great, but then, then I wasn't so happy. The other dogs were going and getting treats. Some of them took a long time to find their treats. I tried to tell them where they were by calling to them. I could have found them faster. I am a horrible waiter.

Lee - standing up to look over the barrier to see what the other dogs were doing. 

Lady: I can't judge you for being a horrible waiter, I am also a horrible waiter.  But I didn't love it when you were crying and barking and trying to chew your leash off to try and get free to get the cookies. You were the only dog who was behaving like that.

Lee: I think that is because the other dogs didn't understand what was going on, they were missing the fact that there were cookies that needed to be hunted quickly. It was almost as exciting as squirrels.

Lady: I have to say that on your turn you were rather amazing at this. You were very systematic about it and fast and determined. I was impressed with your ability to focus and work. You were a very good sniffer hunter. I really liked how you only tried to open the box with the cookie inside.

Lee: Thank you, I try. I had fun, I just hated waiting Lady. I didn't get enough turns, 6 was not enough. I should have done all the turns . . . . . . .

Lady: I know Lee. But it is important to learn to wait. We can work on this more together.  Hopefully a scent class will fit into our crazy schedule soon.

Lee: I will like it best if it is a private lesson. Oh and I didn't like the drive home in the dark. I couldn't see where I was going. I didn't like it.

Lady: I know. Can you tell me how you managed to get out of the new harness? You have never done that before.

Lee: I am a magician. I will not share my secrets!


Please consider making a donation to Humane Society International at http://www.hsi.org/world/canada/ to help the 527 recently rescued dogs (and the 90 puppies that have already been born and the 30 or so dogs expecting litters) have the opportunity for a loving life. No amount is too small!