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What is scent work?Scent Work is a relatively new ANKC sport, however, it has been around for quite a few years under other banners. The sport is based on the work of detection dogs (like those who search for drugs or explosives), who need to find and indicate, usually by staring, pawing, barking, sitting or laying down, when they have found a specific odour.
The sport asks dogs to find one of four odours (birch, anise, clove and cypress), in different environments and while the sport is challenging, it is especially good for dogs who may not be able to handle the conditions asked of them in other dog sports, either because they are reactive to other dogs or because they are unsure in trial settings. The sport encourages owners to learn to "read" their dog's signals and is fun end engaging for the dog, who get to use their strongest natural sense, scent to find the source of the odour. Scent Work encourages the handler and dog to work as a team - while the dog is the one doing the searching, the handler uses their body language to encourage the dog to search different areas, and letting the judge know when they have found the scent. |
Quick Facts
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Training level required: ☆☆ (moderate)
Training type: private trainer/at home Equipment cost: $$$ (relatively expensive) |
Overseeing body: Australian National Kennel Council
Minimum age for competition: 6 months Breed restrictions: None! Open to all breeds |
What equipment do I need?While dogs can search with only a flat collar and long lead (5m or 10m is encouraged), most handlers use a harness while working to indicate to the dog when their job begins and ends. To train at home, you will need this equipment, as well as a set of odours, available from multiple sources online. Our favourite is Seek Dogs Australia.
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How much training is needed?Unlike many sports, which have classes run by affiliate clubs, Scent Work is mostly taught by private trainers. Most dogs will need to go through several terms of training or progressively more difficult training courses to get up to trialling level but there is also quite a lot of handling for pet parents to learn so they can help their dog to search the whole area in a trial. To get to the highest levels, dogs will need to know several different scents and be able to search the interior of a room, an exterior area and the outside of a vehicle, as well as doing a container (box) search.
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Titles
There are four ANKC Scent Work titles to be gained, with each requiring a different number of odours and elements.
SWN requires 6 qualifying certificates in the novice class, with at least 1 qulifying certificates in each of the four elements, and 2 quali
‘SWN’ signifying Scent Work Novice in connection with, and after the name of, each dog, which has gained a total of six (6) Qualifying Certificates in the Novice class under at least two (2) different Judges, with at least one (1) Qualifying Certificate in each of the four Elements and two (2) Qualifying Certificates in two (2) of the Elements. (b) ‘SWA’ signifying Scent Work Advanced in connection with, and after the name of, each dog, which has achieved its Novice title and gained a total of nine (9) Qualifying Certificates in the Advanced class under at least two (2) different Judges, with at least two (2) Qualifying Certificates in each of three Elements, and with three (3) Qualifying Certificates in the remaining Element. (c) ‘SWE’ signifying Scent Work Excellent in connection with, and after the name of, each dog, which has obtained its Advanced title and gained a total of twelve (12) Qualifying Certificates in the Excellent class under at least two (2) different Judges, comprising three (3) Qualifying Certificates in each of the four (4) Elements. (d) ‘SWM’ signifying Scent Work Master in connection with, and after the name of, each dog, which has obtained its Excellent title and gained a total of twelve (12) Qualifying Certificates in the Master class under at least two (2) different Judges, comprising three (3) Qualifying Certificates in each of the four (4) Elements.
SWN requires 6 qualifying certificates in the novice class, with at least 1 qulifying certificates in each of the four elements, and 2 quali
‘SWN’ signifying Scent Work Novice in connection with, and after the name of, each dog, which has gained a total of six (6) Qualifying Certificates in the Novice class under at least two (2) different Judges, with at least one (1) Qualifying Certificate in each of the four Elements and two (2) Qualifying Certificates in two (2) of the Elements. (b) ‘SWA’ signifying Scent Work Advanced in connection with, and after the name of, each dog, which has achieved its Novice title and gained a total of nine (9) Qualifying Certificates in the Advanced class under at least two (2) different Judges, with at least two (2) Qualifying Certificates in each of three Elements, and with three (3) Qualifying Certificates in the remaining Element. (c) ‘SWE’ signifying Scent Work Excellent in connection with, and after the name of, each dog, which has obtained its Advanced title and gained a total of twelve (12) Qualifying Certificates in the Excellent class under at least two (2) different Judges, comprising three (3) Qualifying Certificates in each of the four (4) Elements. (d) ‘SWM’ signifying Scent Work Master in connection with, and after the name of, each dog, which has obtained its Excellent title and gained a total of twelve (12) Qualifying Certificates in the Master class under at least two (2) different Judges, comprising three (3) Qualifying Certificates in each of the four (4) Elements.
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