Sniffing instinct - Can I help nurture this?

[coralee]

Harvey's going bonkers with the sniffing thing!

My Mum came over the other day, he adores her!   when she left, we stayed inside. A few minutes later, Harvey was showing that he wanted to go outside - so I let him out, and he was literally trailing what I can only assume was Mum's scent, back and forward from back door to gate, over and over. Head down, proper concentrating...

He's done this a few times with different people. Obviously his sniffing instinct is really strong and I wondered whether there was anything I could do to nurture this? Any games, training, etc? I won't be working him as such (although he is in "training" as a community dog!) - but I'd like to help him develop this...

OH thinks that this could be all the SAS training he's received by reading the Andy McNabb books! > http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/discuss/index.php?topic=71092.msg1049845#msg1049845

[coralee]

Any advice?

[SkyeSue]

I've got a sniffalot too  I have done things like putting her food down in little clumps down the croft, to create a kind of trail for her. Also, hiding balls and other toys she likes, with a bit of food scent on them, and telling her to go find. Fairly basic and amateurish stuff, but she loves to sniff and find! I'm convinced Chloe would be a fabulous sniffer dog with the right training 

[coralee]

Hiya SkyeSue - I do do a little training by hiding kibble and getting him to search, but only doing that in the front room - how would I get him knowing to look in other rooms, outside etc?? maybe taking him to each room and giving him a head start (ie showing him) for the first couple of goes?

I do love to watch him when he goes in to sniffer mode - his whole stance changes...you can see all his natural instincts! Love it 

[SkyeSue]

Even throwing kibble around the garden for Harvey to sniff out would be good. Sometimes, I just scatter Chloe's kibble all over the house, and she goes to find it. Yes, I would just gently extend her hiding places...I started off with the living room, got her to sit/stay in the hall  whilst I hid her food, then let her in and told her to find. Then I went onto doing this in the bedroom and kitchen. She absolutely loves it....and it really sharpens up her "stay" command too 

[Jan/Billy]

Like you I started in the front room, whilst he was sniffing for the food I used the command "find it" each time. Eventually when I said "find it" he knew he had to sniff for something. Once they get the command , you can take the game anywhere.  I even hide Billys kibble in big fields when out walking 


Have a look on amazon for some books on scent work 

[coralee]

Will definately do that in the garden skysue - jan - am off to amazon right now! Thank you 

[Sarah1985]

Lol im glad some people cockers can sniff. My oldest cant sniff out treats that are right under his nose (literally) is it possible for dogs to have no sense of smell?

Im wondering if its me as my puppy isnt a big sniffer either. maybe im being too strict with the attention on me/recall exercises too young. I didnt think i was that strict they are allowed to run free in the vacinity to me and i only recall at the odd random interval, not too regularly.

I see spaniels out nose to the floor clearly loving whatever scent they've found and mine dont so much as fancy a wiff. 

[Cockertime Blues]

Sometimes I put out half a dozen upside-down plant pots in the garden, only one of which has a treat under it.

[Marialh]

Bracken was slow on the whole sniffing thing. I used to hide bits of treats in one room with him outside the door (started off with him watching me as I 'hid' them, then closed the door), however he still has issues if I move to another room!

Recently, however, I've noticed that these find games have improved his ability to find his ball in long grass, which is very useful now that things are growing and I can't see a revolting green/grey tennis ball in green/grey grass! 

[Helen]

Lol im glad some people cockers can sniff. My oldest cant sniff out treats that are right under his nose (literally) is it possible for dogs to have no sense of smell?

Im wondering if its me as my puppy isnt a big sniffer either. maybe im being too strict with the attention on me/recall exercises too young. I didnt think i was that strict they are allowed to run free in the vacinity to me and i only recall at the odd random interval, not too regularly.

I see spaniels out nose to the floor clearly loving whatever scent they've found and mine dont so much as fancy a wiff. 

are you SURE you have working cockers? 

[Sarah1985]

are you SURE you have working cockers? 

I know! Im sure im doing something wrong. I was warned how sniffy they could be so Ive done hge amounts of attention on me exercises and I think ive killed any natural sniffing instict. 

Other spaniels owners are always compementing me at how calm and well behaved my 2 are, which is lovely but I dont want it to stop them being working cockers.

I think ill go back to playing sniffing games, maybe making it easier for them at first and see if i can re-enlighten that sniffer dog instict.

[Helen]

are you SURE you have working cockers? 

I think ill go back to playing sniffing games, maybe making it easier for them at first and see if i can re-enlighten that sniffer dog instict.

I'm sure a bit of tracking will sort that out