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Detector dog: A Talking Dogs Scentwork® Manual
As a drug detector dog handler with HM Customs & Excise, Pam Mackinnon searched all over the UK, from oil rigs to cruise ships, postal depots to airports, and vehicles to houses. Combining her detection skills with her work as a dog training and behaviour consultant, Pam developed the UK's most successful scentwork training programme that teaches all dogs to become detector dogs. With almost 30 years’ experience, you and your dog are in safe hands as Pam takes you through each stage of scentwork, beginning with introducing your dog to a specific scent, through starter searches, and on to advanced work, indoors and out. Aided by illustrations and full colour photographs of many different breeds at work, this manual will open up a whole new world of activities that you and your dog can enjoy together.
eBook 978-1-787111-62-2 (9781787111622)
Print 9781845849634 (9781845849634)
eBook 978-1-787111-62-2 (9781787111622)
Print 9781845849634 (9781845849634)
175 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 6, 2017
12 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 26, 2020
A short-and-sweet introduction to nosework. I especially liked the balance between tips for amateur noseworkers and behind-the-scenes glances of how professional dogs are trained.
I found the structure to be a bit counterintuitive, with a lot of theoretical talk about different types of searches before discussing how to get started on the first search. I can see the logic of it but found it quite frustrating when reading.
Also, the book advocates the search for food items for dogs that prefer edible rewards to play, but the only possible objection it discusses is that some people don't consider it as remarkable a skill as finding a scented toy. It's nice to see the author debunk that myth but I would have expected also a discussion on the safety of such training. Many dog owners go to great lengths to teach their dogs not to eat food they find on walks and for good reasons - news of food stuffed with nails or poison abounds. I'd have serious qualms about teaching my dog it's ok to eat food they find on an outdoor search for fear of this translating to them eating something they found by accident.
I found the structure to be a bit counterintuitive, with a lot of theoretical talk about different types of searches before discussing how to get started on the first search. I can see the logic of it but found it quite frustrating when reading.
Also, the book advocates the search for food items for dogs that prefer edible rewards to play, but the only possible objection it discusses is that some people don't consider it as remarkable a skill as finding a scented toy. It's nice to see the author debunk that myth but I would have expected also a discussion on the safety of such training. Many dog owners go to great lengths to teach their dogs not to eat food they find on walks and for good reasons - news of food stuffed with nails or poison abounds. I'd have serious qualms about teaching my dog it's ok to eat food they find on an outdoor search for fear of this translating to them eating something they found by accident.
January 7, 2022
Good info for all levels - I'm eager to jump in & give scentwork a try!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews