All About Scent Work Podcast

Cyber Scent Work, Inc. is celebrating it's one year anniversary by announcing some new and exciting changes, including video reviews and earning ribbons for both Element titles and Level titles! In this episode, we hear from the co-founders of Cyber Scent Work, Inc., Dianna L. Santos and Sean McMurray, about these changes and the plans for the future. Did you want to learn more about Cyber Scent W...

This is the first entry in our brand-new series where we speak with participants of Cyber Scent Work, Inc. to hear their stories, what their Scent Work training journey has been like and to learn more about their partnership with their dogs as well as their experience with Cyber Scent Work, Inc. For our inaugural episode, we are delighted to speak with Lisa Bartel about her journey with her wonder...

Many people are under the impression that canine fitness and Scent Work are unrelated and have nothing to do with one another. Nothing could be further from the truth! To be successful in Scent Work, particularly when competing in the upper levels, your dog MUST have a level of fitness to meet the demands, otherwise they have no hope of succeeding. In this episode, we speak with Donna Morgan Murra...

The human experience with odor is far and away what our dogs are experiencing when they encounter odor. For one, they can actually "see" odor by using their incredible sense of smell. We cannot. Yet, time and time again, handlers will discount what the dog does, communicates or tries to do within a given search. In this podcast episode, we discuss this vastly different experience on either end of...

In this spotlight episode, we speak with Melissa Stagnaro regarding the titling organization in the United States, American Rettungshunde Sport Association (ARSA), where teams may work a variety of classes based upon the rules set by the international Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) and the International Rescue Dog Organisation (IRO). This is excellent conversation discussing the detai...

In this roundtable discussion headed by Michelle Doram, we hear from the three varied experiences on how to manage expectations when competing in Nose Work. An excellent conversation between Jessica Koester, a CNWI and NACSW Judge, Monica Flores, a 10-year veteran Nose Work competitor and Jill Marie O'Brien, the co-founder of NACSW. The insights and stories shared in this conversation will help al...

In Scent Work, we must be able to read our dog. What the dog's tells are as they are working a space, detecting, chasing and sourcing odor or investigating dog odor or crittering. However, missing from the conversation is having a more general understanding of how our dogs communicate with their bodies and how WE communicate to THEM with our bodies, movements, actions and inactions. Having this kn...

In this spotlight episode, we speak with Dana Zinn and Sue Sternberg about their collaborative. Dana and Sue are helping Scent Work teams elevate their training by focusing on the handler, highlighting what we are saying to the dogs during a search and how we may be clearer and more supportive throughout. Everyone who participates in Scent Work should look into what Dana and Sue are offering! Whet...

Strap in, this is a blunt, real-talk episode. It is high-time that all of us within the Scent Work community hold ourselves to a higher standard where treating one another with respect is a requirement. Addressing questions, concerns or issues directly with those involved instead of rushing to social media to bash them behind their back. Calling out people who try to steal someone else's light jus...

Working on advanced, higher-level, or challenging training concepts seems to imply our dog must struggle when they are trying to solve the puzzle. Otherwise, it is not a challenge, right? But what if the dog goes into the space, applying all the skills they mastered already, and immediately solves the puzzle? "UGH! I guess that was too easy. So disappointing!" In this episode, we discuss the impor...

This roundtable discussion is dedicated to all the Scent Work instructors out there. In this episode, we discuss dealing with expectations and how instructors can steal their own joy if they are not careful. This is a riveting conversation we are hoping will help all instructors realize they are not alone if they are struggling with self-doubt, second-guessing themselves or worried about stepping...

In this roundtable episode, we discuss what makes Michelle Doram of White Collar K9 , Michele Ellertson of The Dog's PACE , Michael McManus of Ready, Sit, Go and Khara Schuetzner of The Doggie Spot cringe at Scent Work trials. We hope that everyone who competes gives this episode a listen to ensure they are not causing their trial officials to cringe. Be certain to check out Michele Ellertson's Ho...

In our latest Spotlight episode, we have the distinct privilege of speaking with Becky Thomas of The Ultimate K9 in Australia about how she has been helping to grow K9 Nose Work® in Australia. This conversation is fantastic, as it highlights how this activity is for all dogs and handlers and is something that everyone should play. Becky's enthusiasm is contagious and we are fortunate to have her a...

The topic for this roundtable discussion is ways instructors can help their students better deal with "failures” they may experience at trial...whether "failure" is a real thing or not, how handlers may set better expectations for themselves and their dogs, how balancing training and trialing is incredibly important and so much more! We are so thankful for Michael McManus of Ready, Sit, Go and Kha...

With Scent Work continuing to explode in popularity around the globe, there is an ever-growing demand for more classes and training. Instructors and trainers are working to meet this demand. However, it is crucially important that every professional instructor or trainer keep in mind the responsibilities associated with this role. No matter if you are newer or have been teaching since the sports i...

In this spotlight episode, we speak with Natalie Duberow, an approved USCSS CSD and Judge and AKC Scent Work Judge, who is quite literally helping to spread the word about Scent Work worldwide! Natalie travels the globe providing workshops for dog handlers, competitors and those interested in becoming trial officials with United States Canine Scent Sports. With her expertise and enthusiasm, Natali...

In this spotlight episode, we have the privilege to speak with Michele Ellertson, CNWI, a professional dog trainer, instructor, CO with NACSW and the owner of The Dog's PACE about her PACE Team Games program . This program is a fabulous way to encourage people to support one another while tackling challenging, and FUN, searches. It has been a big hit in the Northeastern US and the Los Angeles-area...

In this new series, we are highlighting individuals and businesses who are giving back to the Scent Work community. For this episode, we spoke with Marcella Winslow, a professional photographer who has been instrumental in creating memories for countless dog and handler teams throughout the Western United States. As we touch upon in this episode, having a talented, thoughtful and experienced profe...

As dog trainers and handlers, we use rewards to communicate to our dogs when they have done a good job. But when it comes to Scent Work, this message can be easily muddled and confused depending on the reward placement and timing! In this episode, we discuss the importance of effective reward usage as well as exercises you can try to improve your own timing and mechanical skills. Speaker: Dianna L...

A challenge many experienced Scent Work handlers will encounter, but do not often talk about, is trying to adjust to a new canine teammate. You, as the handler, have more knowledge and experience, perhaps even reaching high levels of success, but your new dog does not. How can you adjust your expectations, training plan and goals to this new dog? We discuss this, and more, with a roundtable of ins...

In this episode, we speak with Geryah Dingle of Dingle Days YouTube channel about her dog training journey, how she got started in Scent Work and the consulting services she offers to help dog training professionals bring their services into the virtual space. If you are an instructor looking to create virtual training solutions for your clients, whether it be training videos, online classes or mo...

In this episode, we speak with the Co-Founder of NACSW™ and Founder of the K9 Nose Work® Shelter Program, Jill Marie O'Brien and Steven DeTata, CNWI who is spearheading the growth of the program and spreading the word on social media. This wonderful program pairs up of K9 Nose Work® certified instructors, or those who are going through the certified instructor program, with shelters and rescues to...

"My dog lied!" This is a common statement made by handlers...but is it true? Are dogs knowingly going around lying to their people about where hides are? Or, are our dogs merely playing the game they thought we wanted them to play? We answer this question in this episode! Speaker: Dianna L. Santos ----more---- Scent Work University  is an online dog training platform focused on all things Scent Wo...

In this short episode, we continue to discuss Cyber Scent Work, Inc. and how it can help resident shelter dogs. This is a feature of Cyber Scent Work, Inc. that we are particularly excited about! Check out Cyber Scent Work, Inc. here: https://www.cyberscentwork.com/ Are you a staff member of a shelter and interested in applying for approval? You can here: https://www.cyberscentwork.com/shelter-app...

In this episode, we speak with Sean McMurray of Tails U Win! Canine Center, LLC in Manchester, CT about a brand new organization, Cyber Scent Work, Inc. that is launching on June 7, 2021. Cyber Scent Work is the perfect bridge between training and trialing in Scent Work and stands to provide a service that has been needed for a LONG time. Check out Cyber Scent Work here: https://www.cyberscentwork...