Find Your Fix- Sport Dog Scent Detection Podcast- Training Tips and More !

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We zoom out from our own leash and talk about what we learn by watching dozens of dogs run the same hide, then bring those lessons back into training. We focus on becoming an active handler who can read odor behavior early, support verification, and make better “stay or go” decisions under trial pressure.  • learning odor movement by observing many teams and reviewing video  • defining the active...

In this episode we reveal the  “Wheel Of Odor”, an easily crafted randomizer used to spur a fun discussion focused on ODOR training for the nosework and scentwork dog. We wanted to use some creativity to otherwise break out of training ruts and think OUTSIDE THE ODOR BOX for fresh ideas on how to set hides and build odor training objectives for our dogs and ourselves. The Wheel of Odor uses three...

Dust, heat, and a whole lot of critter scent—this elite nose work weekend had it all. We headed to a Western movie set and came home with a sharper game plan: how to spot channeling odor, decide when to finish early, and build independence without frying your dog’s brain. Along the way, we faced a classic trap—two hides on one side of a truck—and turned that miss into a concrete progression using...

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We explore how dogs navigate changing odor pictures and what handlers must do to support their dog's odor pathway to source. From haunted houses to school gyms, we share Handler, CO and judging insights, trial lessons, and practical training setups that build dog and handler odor recognition of the multitude of odor puzzles we encounter in nosework and scent work trials. • defining pathway to...

THE GOOD CALL- or is it ? AI offered various titles to our October podcast- MY ALL TIME FAVORITE: My Dog Said Trash Can : The Judge Said No !  If you’ve ever called “alert” on a hot object only to hear “no,” this conversation is your map back to clarity. We unpack the gap between a fair training call and a fair trial call, and show how to build a dog that presses all the way to source—even when th...

NACSW and AKC (and other venues) utilize pre and post search videos for Handlers to preview or review actual "real life" trial searches. These videos are captured by the Certifying Offical or Judge with the goal to provide search and hide placement analysis for your competition day prepartion or post trial review. The videos are an amazing tool for experiencing what a trial search looks...

Time management could be the missing key to your nosework competition success. In this candid conversation, Jill Kovacevic and Alex Woodruff share their summer training approaches and fall trial preparations while diving deep into critical skills for effective competition. Jill reveals a breakthrough in her handling technique that transformed her Elite trial performance—taking full advantage of se...

When your dog alerts away from the actual hide location, are they making a mistake or has the scent truly collected elsewhere? In this deep-dive episode, we tackle the phenomenon of "pooling and trapping" - one of the most challenging and misunderstood concepts in scent detection work. Alex and Jill break down exactly what happens when odor molecules migrate from their source and accumul...

Seasoned dog competitors share their most memorable and hair-raising travel stories from years on the road attending trials and competitions. The podcast hosts and guests exchange tales of adventure, mishap, and the unexpected challenges that come with traveling alongside canine athletes. • Ensuring dog safety in unfamiliar environments, including stories of dogs chasing wildlife • Strange and mem...

What if everything you thought you knew about reading your dog in scent work needed a second look? This eye-opening myth-busting episode challenges common misconceptions that might be holding back your detection team. We start by tackling the belief that a trained final response means you can ignore your dog's more subtle communications. The truth? Those changes of behavior as your dog works...

This month Jill Kovacevich and Aleks Woodroffe, your CO-Hosts, tackle a wide range of myths circulating in scent detection sports ("Nosework"? "Scent Work"? we dive into that too!). Drawing from their experience as trainers, judges, officals and competitors, they systematically dismantle misconceptions that might be limiting your dog's potential OR your perception of your...

PART THREE- Yes, Part Three ! Who knew this topic would be this expansive. In this EPISODE we take on ELITE to SUMMIT trial prep and include AKC Detective in the mix.  We are looking at the trial levels  of  Elite Select, Elite, Elite Premier and Summit and the AKC equivalent and the skill sets needed for THIS trial level with a template for assessing where your canine team IS as of now and how to...

We share essential tips and insights on preparing for trial season, focusing on gear essentials and communication strategies. Key elements discussed include checklists, hospitality management, and effective team interactions. • Importance of creating thorough checklists for trial preparation  • Essential supplies needed for the score room  • Strategies for effective communication among team member...

Welcome to another enlightening episode where we pull back the curtain on the intricacies of hosting K9 scent trials. From sharing insights on managing waitlists to navigating the challenges of trial day logistics, this episode is packed with wisdom from experienced hosts in the community. We delve into the often-overlooked aspect of vehicle management, tackling how to protect volunteers' car...

PART TWO- In this PODCAST we are looking at the trial levels  of NW3 and AKC equivalent and the skill sets needed for THIS trial level with a template for assessing where your canine team IS as of now and how to determine what to train for your next trial SUCCESS. Here is the ASSESS- TRAIN AND MEASURE TEMPLATE that IS a best practice to apply to your compeition Nosework Team in preparing for TRIAL...

PART ONE - In this PODCAST we break down the skill sets needed for each trial levels and provide a template for assessing where your canine team IS as of now and how to determine what to train for your next trial at that trial level. SKILL SETS FOR TRIAL PREP- ORT (NW1 CONTAINER -SAME) NW1-NW2 NACSW and NOVICE- ADVANCED AKC ASSESS YOUR TEAM 1- SKILLS TESTED - What is measured or tested for each tr...

JANUARY 27 2025  TRAIN TO TRIAL - TRIAL TO TRAIN  MENTAL GAME ON TRIAL DAY ! Our 2025 NOSEWORK SEASON is off and "running" ! Lets chat about TRIAL DAY and all the tips and tricks to be the BEST TRIAL TEAM we can be AND the BEST handler to our amazing search canine !  In this PODCAST we discuss taking our TRAINING TO TRIAL and supporting our dogs and ourselves for a FUN and PRODUCTIVE tri...

Our 2025 NOSEWORK SEASON is off and "running" ! Lets chat about TRIAL DAY and all the tips and tricks to be the BEST TRIAL TEAM we can be AND the BEST handler to our amazing search canine !  In this PODCAST we discuss taking our TRAINING TO TRIAL and supporting our dogs and ourselves for a FUN and PRODUCTIVE trial day. From once your IN the trial, thinking of travel, lodging, time frame...

DECEMBER 30 2024  TRAIN TO TRIAL - TRIAL TO TRAIN  DECEMBER TO REMEMBER - LOOK BACK- VISUALIZE FORWARD 2024- A NOSEWORK-SEARCHING YEAR TO REMEMBER! Lets CELEBRATE all the WINS - THE TAKEAWAYS AND the JOY of Learning Nosework with our K9s !  2025- Set new goals and BUILD a SMART plan to succeed ! Mountain Dogs LLC Jill E. Kovacevich, CNWI mtnnosework@gmail.com Send us Fan Mail

RECENT TRIAL- Wondering IF you have holes and how those might be filled ??? Ive KNOW Ive got ideas for all the teams I watched-- maybe you know who you are ! Both Alex and myself will do online privates to review your recent trial success or misses with or without trial video and suggest a 2025 New Year training plan !  COMMUNICATION PODCAST SERIES CONTINUED! Objective - Lets brainstorm the parts...