Mind Games for Dogs: Shell Scent Game

[WEAREANIMALS]

woo, vancouver island! great trick, I wish I had a dog :(

[video5junkie]

How do I get my girl to paw my hand, when I put it out she is stumped at what I want from her. Suggestions?

[kittygirl19191]

how do you train a dog to "sniff"? im already working on paw on cue

[supernaturalbc2008]

@kittygirl19191 Since it is a behaviour that the dog does naturally and predictably, you can capture it and put it on cue. There is a video on capturing behaviours on my supernaturalbc2009 channel. In this case, put something smelly in a container so the dog can't get it but can sniff it. Or take your dog to a place where you know she will sniff. They learn this one quickly! Have fun.

[kaptinkirk12]

She looks just like my teacher!!!! Are you an 8th grade teacher? lol

[supernaturalbc2008]

Jessie is pound puppy. Her mom was a Shepherd X. I am guessing dad was a miniature pinscher or similar breed. Has some terrier type behaviours. We had a dobie /shep mix years ago with some similar behaviours but much larger (80lbs compared to Jessie's 32 lbs)

[TheBushBum]

@supernaturalbc2008 Check out "New Zealand Huntaway", think it might explain your breed of dog.

[f43io]

I found a very similar dog in the street with this! is a specific breed?

[dmagistri]

What kind of dog is Jessie? My dog looks VERY similar and learns pretty fast, but I dont know what he is since I rescued him from a shelter. He's either a breed I don't know or a mix. We think he's Doberman and GSD but not sure. He's friendly, smart, long legs and muzzle (weighs about 70#), and black/tan in color.

[supernaturalbc2008]

@dmagistri Her mom was a GSD mix. We suspect dad was a min pin or similar mix. There is some herding dog (BC or ACD) likley in in there too. She's 30 lbs. We had a doberman/shep mix years ago who looked similar but was 85 lbs.

[tropirei]

She's beautiful!

[Tuberidin01]

Great video! I can't wait to try this with my dog. I have a pugapoo and since her nose is a little blunt, she needs some training to help her sniff and find things better.

This video is perfect! Thank you!

[carmenbuit]

You mention not moving on until 80% success rate, so there must be some mistakes and I'm wondering how you respond. An NRM (no reward mark), Oops! and lift the lid to show the dog nothing? Thank you!

[supernaturalbc2008]

@carmenbuit Actually they rarely make mistakes but if there is one I lift the lid and no treat. I usually am training blind as I cannot see if they are correct or not until the lid is off. I am just as surprised as my dog if she is wrong! It really helps for me to learn to trust my dog and not try to guide her.

I can easily lose the position of the treat-probably a good thing I don't play the game for real! LOL!

[smoon3]

wow! I really have to give it to you on this one. (gets up and starts clapping) THANK YOU! I have been trying to teach Tofu some more formal scent work and I followed 3 different book instructions and he couldn't get it! He didn't sniff the containers (consistently) and he didn't know what to do. Then I saw this video! After ONE session within 5 seconds!!! he caught on to this like magnet. Now he is sniffing and pointing out which one PERFECTLY! This video is awesome!

[supernaturalbc2009]

@smoon3 You are very welcome. I love it when my videos help someone and their dog! (I had to laught when I read the stands up and clapping buit! I love that too! Very cute-like your dog!) Donna, Jessie & Lucy

[smoon3]

@supernaturalbc2009 Yes it did help me a lot, more than you know. I have one question about this though. I'm trying to determine a verbal cue. Tofu already have a strong "track" cue to find treats that I've hidden around the house. Should I continue to use this cue or will it confuse him? He usually starts to sniff everywhere when I say "track" since that's what he usually does. Or should I use a new cue "find it?" Thanks again.

[supernaturalbc2009]

@smoon3 The only difference is that you require an indication at the end (paw touch) of the shell game. If you don't want or need a paw touch with your track behavior then I might call the paw touch behavior a different name. In the end, it's all the same-use your nose to find this object. I use 'find it' for both situations but don't get a paw touch at the end of finding it in the bush. In fact, she grabs the object or brings it back.

[supernaturalbc2009]

@smoon3 They use context to figure out what is needed (the presence of the bowls indicates a paw touch is needed.) If it was important-such as training for serious and consistent behavior, I would use a different cue so he would know that the indication was needed.

[vkschoch]

Wonderful game! My beagle has been really stressed since we started fostering so a trainer suggested teaching him scent games. He picked up on most of this really quickly but doesn't quite get that he's supposed to only paw the one with the scent in it. He paws all of them and then looks at me like "ok, treat?" Any tips on helping him understand that he's only supposed to paw the one with the scent?

[supernaturalbc2009]

@vkschoch 'He paws all of them' tells me you have progressed too fast. Start back at one, then add one more. Only when the dog is successful at choosing at least 80% of the time with two, then you can add the third. This is a hard step for most dogs because they have to learn the concept of choice. Concepts can take some dogs a long time to learn, especially if it's their first one. It sounds like right now he thinks the act of pawing is the behavior you want.

[supernaturalbc2009]

@vkschoch I think I would go back and play the 'muffin tin' game first which is an easier way to teach him choice. Look back at my other videos to find it as I can't post the link here.

[disturbedme5]

Good video. I tried this with my dog. She's a beagle. She doesn't understand it very well. She doesn't understand 'sniff' and she doesn't understand that when I say paw it doesn't mean to paw it and try to rip the container open. She has no patience and tries to 'paw and open' the containers without waiting for my cue to 'paw'. She also doesn't seem to have a very good sense of smell even though she's beagle. She tries to paw and open the empty containers too. DAHHHHHHHHHHHHH..... :-(

[supernaturalbc2009]

@disturbedme5 This is a behavior chain. To help her succeed, teach her each of the behavior separately before putting them together. Capture 'sniff' when she sniffs on walk and add a cue as she is in the act of doing it. Soon she will know what it means. Sit her down and teach her 'shake a paw', then get her to shake a paw with you holding a container, then slowly lower the container to the ground. Only reward her for pawing, not scraping the container. Teach it step by step and she can do it!

[marmalade73]

Love this video! Can't wait to teach it to my pup... he will love this!!!

[marmalade73]

love this video! such a clear way of teaching a new skill :) I wanted to enroll my pup in a scent class because he is so nose oriented... he will love this game, thank you!!!

[cinnamon8884]

great :)

[vickylynn99]

Thanks so much for the lesson. I was feeling guilty because it had been so long since our 6 year old, very bright Doberman had any quality mental stimulation. He had the concept down in under 2 hours. I've never used a clicker before; not sure if it's too late. We still have some conditioning to do with this trick but Beast had a great time learning something new and we had even more fun watching him.

[supernaturalbc2009]

@vickylynn99 You gotta love it when they get it! I started using the clicker with my 11 yo GR and she loved it, so they are never too old!

[ServiceDogPartner]

Donna, this is such a great video. You break things down into such nice, bite-size pieces. I have watched it several times. I'm expanding the scent behavior in Level 3 w/Barnum to play the shell game. Right now I'm still shaping paw targeting, and if I try with containers, he whacks them all over the room! LOL! So, I'm going to wait for a more controlled paw hit and then go back to this.

[supernaturalbc2009]

@ServiceDogPartner Thanks! Have you taught the paw touch with a spot on the floor (ala Sue Eh?) If you do this first, you can then start a session with a few of these, then place the spot on top of the container. Click only for less emphasis on the smack and more on the touch. Phase out the smacking. See if that helps to decrease the paw smacking. Also a heavier container (ie an upturned low dish etc) on a carpet slows them down too so you can cpature the touch not a smack.

[psynthpriest]

That is just neat, I will have to remember this when my Border Collie gets a little older. Thanks for the great videos.

[rrnsss]

Thank you so much for this video. It was very helpful and useful. Please make and post more videos on scent work like this.

[supernaturalbc2009]

@rrnsss For other scent videos, check out i2ik9 's channel. He has one on how to train search and locate which might interest you.

[riverotterranch]

Thanks for doing these videos! They make things so clear! I love Jessie's pawing - she does it so delicately

[Cr00ked2594]

Awsomee.!!!!!

[musicofnote1]

Vela does this trick a little differently - with nose work here, a dog may show through a sit or a down at the found object, that she/he has found it. So she does this instead. Different strokes. But she, like your dog loves this, it's great for focus and works great as the opening for our new k9freestyle Choreo. Love this video of yours!

[JustFilmin]

How do you teach your dog to paw?

[LushinNickii]

cooL! ill try it out with my dog.. :)

[ect04]

I have just started teaching this to my Shepherd; he is catching on rather quickly, however, I can't seem to make him touch the container like your Jesse does. He much prefers the hard paw slam. Wondering if you have any tips on how to teach your dog to "paw" more gently. Thank you!

[missiles24]

Brilliant Video! My Dogs Like It Alot!

[mgtmeehan]

Fantastic! Thank you for sharing!!

[rogersmmr]

Great game, Donna. Thank you for sharing! I know what the ridgebacks are going to learn. :-D

[terye1]

cracking bit of video,a greta demo!thanks

[AnimalLoverLink]

Great video that I will be sharing. Thank you for making it available. When the weather outside is frightful, mind games are delightful!

[MultiAnimalcrackers]

Love this vid. Another well explained behaviour. Havent done this with Inca but have taught her to find a tea bag on a person, but i learnt her to signal with a nose touch to the area, where she retains contact unti she is released. I just thought it would be a bit painful having her paw at a person.? Do you teach a seperate signal for finding a scent on a person or just paw contact like in the clip?

[musicofnote1]

I've built this game into our 3rd Dog Dance Choreo. It's a Choreo about fie fighters and at the beginning we're playing this game with each other in the fire house as the alarm goes off. Great way to focus her attention on me right from the beginning instead of the public. And she looooves it.

We use 3 small flower pots and instead of pawing, she sniffs out the right pot and then lays down with her paws on either side of it, staring it until I turn it over.

[pamelamarxsen]

I love how sweet Jesse is when she paws the container! 5*s and a fav!

[supernaturalbc2008]

Thanks! When she does something, she pays attention. In this case I wanted her to gently indicate, not do a hard paw slam!

I think it's behaviors like this that make each dog so unique!

[preslana10]

cute pup, sweet vid. what breed is the dog?

[supernaturalbc2008]

Apound puppy. My best guess is a 1/2 miniature pinscher, 1/4 border collie or cattle dog, 1/4 German Shepherd Dog (the mom was a GSD mix)-all cute!

[sherlocksden]

I really like how you broke it down into the necessary small steps. I'm training my first dog and have trouble breaking things down. Many clicker websites tell you what to do, but not how to do it. Thanks!

[wubbie2steps]

Love your vids, very through and you make it look easy! Thanks.. Question: Do u think this would be a good way to teach a dog to sniff for food that a person is allergic to.. you know like a peanut sniffing dog for a person with peanut allergy or would you use another technique!

[supernaturalbc2008]

Yes, start with this and then expand it to a find game around the house and include things like backpacks etc like a drug detection dog. Scent alerting is actually about building the communication between the dog and handler. Teach a strong indicator behavior and pair it to the alert. (See the sound alert videos)

[newbear95]

LittleTomato96, u can try hiding a tasty & smelly treat in your clench fist & let your dog smell it.don't open your hand if he noses your hand or tries to bite at your fingers.just say a firm "No" if he tries to bite at your fingers & remove your hand for a few seconds & try again.keep repeating until he paws at your hand.u can say "paw" when he paws at your hand and immediately open up your hand & let him have the treat.he should learn this command in a week if u repeat it 5 times a day.

[supernaturalbc2008]

Newbear95, in clicker training, we avoid using 'no' as the dog views it as punishment and it causes dogs to stop offering behaviors-the foundation of shaping. You can try to capture the behavior separately when your dog voluntarily lifts his paw or you can shape it by capturing him placing his paw on an object such as a plastic lid, large ball etc.

[newbear95]

thanks for the advice.

[LittleTomato96]

I failed! When i say paw and point to my hand he didn't concentrate in my hand, Funny (my dog) looked somewhere els. So I picked his paw up and put it in my hand and say "Good boy" then throw out a treat. And i kept on doing that but he didn't do it him self. I always have to pick his paw and put it in my hand. Help!

[plac0za]

amaziinG !!! =)

[PoppysCornerShop]

Like this game, really interesting. ty for sharing

[LilyTails]

cool

[abalonmistic]

muy bueno

[supernaturalbc2008]

Gracias

[thatsKosmo]

Could you please give us a short explanation about how you taught your dog the "sniff" command?

I tried it but I'm pretty much having some difficulties. Maybe your technique is better.

Thanks.

[supernaturalbc2008]

Hi, The easiest way to teach a 'sniff' cue is to capture it. Watch your dog closely when you take him outside. Simply cue 'sniff' anytime he is using his nose x20). Then bring him in and have a little something yummy in your fist and place it at nose level, again cue 'sniff'. They usually catch on pretty quickly as sniffing is how dog's learn about the world! They just need to learn what our cue for it is!

[supernaturalbc2008]

This technique is called 'capturing' and is the easiest way to get a behavior on cue. Works for any behavior the dog already knows-sit, down, running fast, putting paw on his nose etc.

[WoofCanada]

Brilliant video! Thank you.

[supernaturalbc2008]

Glad it was useful!

[BookendsPonies]

This is great, thanks!

[zsianz1]

I loved this so much! thank you for this wonderful video. I'm so going to try this with my dogs!! 5*

[tomendanielle]

Hi, I have a question. How would you teach your dog to do the official scent game. (With woden sticks, that the dog has to retrieve.)?

[supernaturalbc2008]

Check out Sue Ailby's Trauning levels site and look for scenting. She describes it there step by step. Enjoy!

[fruitgrrl]

that was beautiful. thank you.

[tomendanielle]

Wow, Thank you for this great video! I can't wait to try this with Tom!

[Orcaberbrandy]

Fantastic training thanks for showing us all.

[kikopup]

This video is an awesome tutorial ! Had to favorite it! :)

[supernaturalbc2008]

In case anyone is wondering...the white star that appears in the middle of the screen (usually over Jessie's face) is to indicate to deaf and Hard of hearing people when the marker word or click is happening.

[supernaturalbc2008]

The other thing to try is to play the muffin tin game just before trying the two containers (see my other videos), and place a treat under only one of the balls. This gives them the idea to sniff, then indicate.

I'd be interested to hear how other people solve this!

[supernaturalbc2008]

Just to give a heads up to anyone trying this. When you add the second empty container is when my dog and my sister's dog took some time (40-60 tries in a couple of training sessions) to figure out what we wanted. Just keep trying and click only when they paw indicate the container with the treats in it. You can verbally encourage them for sniffing first as a 'keep going' marker. Once they 'get' what you are asking, the rest is easy.

[Astrid66us]

Good Job!

[VFabian]

Bravoo!!!