Hunt Drive / Scent Work

[Ravenbird]

In scent work one highly desired trait is called hunt drive. The motivation to hunt down the prize when the dog knows it's "out there" somewhere. When people talk about high drive dogs, it means they want to work, they are driven and enthusiastic to do a job. I was throwing a ball for Asha the other day and it went right into this little tree and stuck there. I got the phone out of my pocket as quickly as I could to start filming because I was curious how long it would take her to find it since it was out of reach. Just a little over a minute! Those of you doing nose work will recognize the COB (change of behavior) when she catches the scent, follows it to the tree and looks up. I've done this hide & go find before on purpose, but never in an out of reach place, so I was impressed!

 

[Katyusharocket]

In scent work one highly desired trait is called hunt drive. The motivation to hunt down the prize when the dog knows it's "out there" somewhere. When people talk about high drive dogs, it means they want to work, they are driven and enthusiastic to do a job. I was throwing a ball for Asha the other day and it went right into this little tree and stuck there. I got the phone out of my pocket as quickly as I could to start filming because I was curious how long it would take her to find it since it was out of reach. Just a little over a minute! Those of you doing nose work will recognize the COB (change of behavior) when she catches the scent, follows it to the tree and looks up. I've done this hide & go find before on purpose, but never in an out of reach place, so I was impressed!

Thank you for posting this! I loved watching this! I saw her COB right away and I love that moment every time I see it. It's just one of those things that will never get old. With that said, Z had her first nosework competition the first weekend of May. It was a huge learning experience for me. In the vehicle search, which was the first trial ever for both of us, she went straight to the first vehicle in line, went to the grill area then moved over to the headlight area and made eye contact. I hadn't learned it from her yet, but the eye contact was her tell. Me, being so much smarter, thought it can't possibly be this easy, so I told her SEARCH! and pointed at the next car, so she went searching like the good girl, she is, just doing what I ask. she checked it over then came back to the headlight on the first car and made eye contact, so I hollered out ALERT! and the judge said yes. I cost her about a minute. Same pattern for both of us in containers. Overnight, I was replaying everything in my head, and it finally sank in "hey dummy, when your dog makes eye contact, she has it! Trust her!" The next day, interiors and exteriors went so quick, because I trusted the eyes. The being driven and enthusiastic is why Zastava competes, but not Katyusha. When they see me preparing the game, Z doesn't see the cheese I am slicing up as a reward so much as "Oh my god the game the game the game the game". Katyusha just sees the string cheese as string cheese and wants me to give it to her without all the work in the middle.

 

[Two Dobes]

Love that video!!!! Asha is SO cool!

 

[Ravenbird]

Z doesn't see the cheese I am slicing up as a reward so much as "Oh my god the game the game the game the game".

That's exactly it! They are more into the thrill of the hunt than the reward.

 

[JanS]

Very impressive and I love the way she lets you know definitely!

When they see me preparing the game, Z doesn't see the cheese I am slicing up as a reward so much as "Oh my god the game the game the game the game". Katyusha just sees the string cheese as string cheese and wants me to give it to her without all the work in the middle.

That's so these two. Elroy loves the game and succeeding where Olive just thinks lets skip this nonsense and get right to the treat. LOL