REWARDS IN SCENT WORK
KEY POINTS:
- Choose rewards which have high value for your dog.
- Use rewards generously and invest yourself in the reward delivery.
- Food – use high value food which you can cut into small pieces (appropriate to the size of your dog). Make sure it is not crumbly or oozing moisture.
- Toys – use a favourite toy and one that you can interact with with your dog.
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The use of rewards is key to the training of scent work/nosework.
The scent work game comprises two key parts:
The scent work game comprises two key parts:
- hunting/searching
- indicating that they have found the odour.
For the hunting/searching component, we typically begin with the game of the dog searching for food or their favourite toy. When dogs find the hidden toy or food, they play with the toy or eat the food. We build a strong desire to hunt/search for their reward, building their enthusiasm and commitment and progressively creating more complex search areas (eg with obstructions or distractions) in which to find their reward, before introducing odour.
For the alert/indication behaviour, when the dog finds the food or toy, we reward enthusiastically, either with even more food or by playing enthusiastically with the dog with the toy. Later, after odour is introduced, we will continue to reward with food and/or play, to build the fun of the game.
For the alert/indication behaviour, when the dog finds the food or toy, we reward enthusiastically, either with even more food or by playing enthusiastically with the dog with the toy. Later, after odour is introduced, we will continue to reward with food and/or play, to build the fun of the game.
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In either case we always need to remember that the most critical issue about rewards is that they must be what the dog finds rewarding, not what we think the dog likes or should like. We can test out his reward hierarchy, and use that to advantage in our training. That can include not just whether it is food or a toy, but what type of food, which toy. It is also important that we invest ourselves and our enthusiasm into the game as well; it is not just about the inherent value of the type of reward, it is also about how we react and how we present the reward. Again, we need to consider the individual dog – some dogs love to be touched, through personal play; others are more reserved about touch; some love a high pitched voice from us; others prefer less noise. Always consider your dog and his individual preferences, and choose the reward which will have the highest value for him.
When it comes to introducing and building value for odour, we do this most effectively through using a reward which has high value to the dog. We want to build the association that finding the odour predicts amazing rewards. Most of us tend to be a bit stingy with our rewards; think about what you would normally give as a reward and multiply that by 3 or even 5 times (treat, treat, treat, treat, treat), and make sure it is of a type which the dog L-O-V-E-S. |
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Food
When considering what type of food to use as a reward, we want something that the dog can consume quickly (not something that he needs to chew, due to its size or texture). Moist and non-crumbly is best and something that we can easily handle. The size of the reward will depend on the size of your dog – something chopped into a size suitable for a German Shepherd will be way too big for a Papillon.
Commercial ‘stick’ type treats are rarely suitable; the type of kibble he is fed for mealtime is also unlikely to hit the jackpot for something that the dog will give 10 out of 10 for a high value reward.
When considering what type of food to use as a reward, we want something that the dog can consume quickly (not something that he needs to chew, due to its size or texture). Moist and non-crumbly is best and something that we can easily handle. The size of the reward will depend on the size of your dog – something chopped into a size suitable for a German Shepherd will be way too big for a Papillon.
Commercial ‘stick’ type treats are rarely suitable; the type of kibble he is fed for mealtime is also unlikely to hit the jackpot for something that the dog will give 10 out of 10 for a high value reward.
Many small pieces delivered one piece at a time will have more value than one large chunk.
Some treat suggestions include:
Some treat suggestions include:
- Lightly cooked chicken breast or chicken roll – left-over roast chicken or well cooked chicken is more likely to crumble
- Roast beef or mutton (there are some suitable cheap cuts that serve well as dog treats)
- Lightly cooked offal (liver, heart – chicken hearts are a special treat!)
- Roo or other sausages – not over-cooked. Be careful that casings do not drop on the floor when rewarding as this will incur a fault in a trial.
- Egg-based treats – such as a omelette (thickened with coconut flour or similar) with some meat, salmon or sardines added (small silicone treat moulds are great for cooking these).
Toys
Toys again should be whatever is high value to your dog. It is not just about the availability of the toy, it is making the toy delivery super exciting and fun for your dog. Although ball throwing is great fun for many dogs, that has less involvement with the handler, so is a less suitable option.
Some dogs also love personal play. If so, engage enthusiastically yourself, to build the dog’s enjoyment of the game.
Toys again should be whatever is high value to your dog. It is not just about the availability of the toy, it is making the toy delivery super exciting and fun for your dog. Although ball throwing is great fun for many dogs, that has less involvement with the handler, so is a less suitable option.
Some dogs also love personal play. If so, engage enthusiastically yourself, to build the dog’s enjoyment of the game.
Location of reward delivery
We will talk more about this separately, but you can reward ‘at source’ or away from source. Rewarding at source is especially beneficial in the early stages as it builds the association between the source odour and the reward. If you mark (eg use a clicker or a marker word) for the dog’s nose at source, on hearing that marker sound your dog is then at liberty to discontinue the alert behaviour and move away from source for the reward which you can deliver from your hand, or throw etc – having lots of fun in the process.
We will talk more about this separately, but you can reward ‘at source’ or away from source. Rewarding at source is especially beneficial in the early stages as it builds the association between the source odour and the reward. If you mark (eg use a clicker or a marker word) for the dog’s nose at source, on hearing that marker sound your dog is then at liberty to discontinue the alert behaviour and move away from source for the reward which you can deliver from your hand, or throw etc – having lots of fun in the process.
