EQUIPMENT
WHAT YOUR DOG WEARS IN SCENT WORK
Collar or harness?
The scent work rules allow for the dog to wear a fixed collar (not a choke or slip collar) and/or a suitable harness. The dog may also wear a tick collar.
A fixed collar allows the handler to manage the dog and ensure its safety throughout the search, from the assembly point through to returning to their ‘camp’ in the staging area. Some dogs may be unable to tolerate a harness for various reasons and therefore the handler may choose a collar. Many of the smaller breeds often wear a collar rather than a harness.
A suitably designed harness also allows the handler to manage and ensure the safety of their dog, but it transfers the pressure from the dog’s neck to other parts of the dog’s body which are better able to deal with pressure. There are other advantages of the dog wearing a harness.
On a suitable harness (not a no-pull harness) the lead comes from the D-ring in the centre of the dog’s back, near the withers, making it easier to hold the lead off the dog's back and off the ground.
The lead is also less likely to become tangled around the dog’s legs, distracting both you and the dog from the search.
With a harness, you are also less likely to inadvertently correct your dog. From a lead handling perspective, running a fast dog increases the chances that the dog will hit the end of the lead and receive what they perceive as a correction. This could occur just as the dog is about to show a change of behaviour or indicate the hide!
A harness with a handle can also be very helpful on the start line and assist with a taught set-up ritual, getting the dog to focus forward towards the search area.
The scent work rules allow for the dog to wear a fixed collar (not a choke or slip collar) and/or a suitable harness. The dog may also wear a tick collar.
A fixed collar allows the handler to manage the dog and ensure its safety throughout the search, from the assembly point through to returning to their ‘camp’ in the staging area. Some dogs may be unable to tolerate a harness for various reasons and therefore the handler may choose a collar. Many of the smaller breeds often wear a collar rather than a harness.
A suitably designed harness also allows the handler to manage and ensure the safety of their dog, but it transfers the pressure from the dog’s neck to other parts of the dog’s body which are better able to deal with pressure. There are other advantages of the dog wearing a harness.
On a suitable harness (not a no-pull harness) the lead comes from the D-ring in the centre of the dog’s back, near the withers, making it easier to hold the lead off the dog's back and off the ground.
The lead is also less likely to become tangled around the dog’s legs, distracting both you and the dog from the search.
With a harness, you are also less likely to inadvertently correct your dog. From a lead handling perspective, running a fast dog increases the chances that the dog will hit the end of the lead and receive what they perceive as a correction. This could occur just as the dog is about to show a change of behaviour or indicate the hide!
A harness with a handle can also be very helpful on the start line and assist with a taught set-up ritual, getting the dog to focus forward towards the search area.
The lead
At a Scent Work/Nosework trial, a lead must always be attached to the dog’s collar/harness, including while informally moving about the venue (eg for toileting purposes) and en route to the search area. The exceptions are when the dog is in the car or crate in the staging area or when he is undertaking an interior search for which the handler has chosen the off-lead search option.
The lead should be made of pliable material (eg. synthetic, cotton, leather, nylon etc.). No chain leads are allowed.
The lead can be used to guide a dog away from a boundary but not to guide the dog towards odour or as a correction device.
What length of lead?
The rules allow retractable leads and a lead of any length, with 5 metres as a suggested guide.
Choice of the length of lead will be influenced by the search element/nature of the search area, the speed of the individual dog, and the lead handling skill of the handler.
It is important to remember that poor lead handling can incur a fault from the judge, and less experienced handlers may find even a 5-metre lead more difficult to manage than a shorter lead (eg. 3 metres). Likewise, mildly compromising the search area can incur a fault; this would include the lead dragging on the floor and/or touching/moving/knocking over objects within the search area; again, there is greater potential for this to occur with a longer lead. On the other hand, a lead shorter than 3 metres may result in the handler crowding the dog or blocking the source of odour.
Retractable leads may be used, and they may have some merit for handlers who have movement limitations or who need one hand free for a walking stick or other aid.
Other accessories
Dogs may wear accessories to assist the dog to safely navigate the search area (eg paw covers or booties, jackets, and/or hair ties or bows). These are subject to approval by the judge.
THE DOG MUST NOT WEAR:
- Any kind of electric, prong, choke, or slip collar (made of chain or any other material), a head halter or a no-pull harness;
- An odour emitting collar (such as no-bark collars that spray citronella, or DAP calming collars);
- Any item hanging from the dog’s collar or harness, except a wearable camera mounted to the dog’s harness, if the judge deems it safe to do so. This includes the wearing of dog tags.