The Sniffing Zone

09/01/2026

SCENT WORK IN SUMMER - THE ESSENTIALS:

A little late but it's never too late to have a refresh ☀️

**Shade mesh**
Not all aluminet shade products are created equal! Silver Eagle Outfitters are a reputable seller with high quality products: https://www.coolweave.com.au/silver_shade_mesh_products.htm Aluminet refelcts those harmful UV's. Depending on the weave, the mesh can buffer heat build-up, light and breeze. Look for the % rating on it and aim for 70% or higher. These make a HUGE difference to the temperature in the car. Yes, TEMU etc sell these for a load cheaper, but they are typically lower quality and don't do the superior job that the products from established sellers, offer. Just read the fine print on the tech specs and get the product that is suitable for you.

In addition to shade mesh you can also, window shileds and snap shades as an extra options to keep the heat at bay in the car.

**Fans**
You can get regular or misting fans and battery operated or plug in [10v] options. Your choice might be influenced by budget and convenience. Look at hardware stores, BCF/Anaconda and online.

**Cool Coats**
You can get reflective coats [made of aluminet], coats you wet down or self-cooling options. There are also cooling cooling neck bands and bandanas's. A simple wet towel over the back can also work.

**Cool Mats** in the car/crate
I don’t know much about these because Lulu refuses to sit on them. I think the same applies as the coats – self cooling or those you wet down.

A student suggested taking an esky so you can rotate coats/mats.

**Hydration**
Keeping your pooch hydrated is essential for summer searching. There are some specifically formulated dog hydration products, but I just add a splash of something to the water to make it more enticing… milk, dog bone broth or a pinch of NORM freakshake powder: https://normgetwild.com.au/collections/freakshakes

Other options [sugar free] include a splash of coconut water or using a dog-Specific, Electrolyte Mix such as CEN: https://www.petcircle.com.au/product/cen-nutrition-electrolytes-sugar-free-powdered-meal-topper-for-dogs/dhc4100

Watermelon, cucumbers, and blueberries also help increase fluid intake – same as they do for us. Watermelon is over 90% water!

**Other Cooling Options**
Old school a/c: a damp towel over the window/crate/cage.
Ice cubes for the water bowls.
A frozen [hot] water bottle tucked in the crating space - under the bed/a towel to lay on.
A container of frozen water to cool down the space.
Buckets of water for voluntary head dunks* for rapid cooling and feet dipping.
Water bottles [cooking oil bottles are a popular option].
Rechargeable facial misters [kmart/target]
Carrying a paddling pool is also an option if you have the ability to fill it 😆

Above all else, try and park/stage in the shade.
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Share your favourite ideas and products below!

*Penn Vet did this study in 2024, looking into life saving cooling methods to prevent exercise-induced hyperthermia or exercise-induced heat stress. Use 22°c water. Read about it here: https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/penn-vet-working-dog-center-reducing-dogs-temperature-after-exercise-voluntary-head-dunking

26/12/2025

Need new shoe laces but instead find myself buying a hearding ball... laces can wait, along with my nieces Xmas present 🤷🏼‍♀️

21/12/2025

Sorry, got a "family" emergency this Xmas day 🤪😆

20/11/2025

Good luck of you're trialling this weekend 😉😆

14/11/2025

Interested in learning about keeping your dog in tip top shape? Check out this post by Flying Paws Dog Training announcing an upcoming workshop ♡

🎉 Exciting Workshop Coming Early 2026! 🎉

We’re teaming up with Nicola from Canine Health and Rehabilitation for a special workshop at our Ulverstone training facility! Perfect for beginners and young to middle-aged dogs!

Nicola is a qualified human physiotherapist, that is qualified and certified in Canine Myofunctional and Rehab Therapist! After years travelling the NW to see pets and their families, Nicola has opened her clinic this year!

This workshop is all about helping your dog move, feel, and perform their best. Nicola will guide you through gentle, practical exercises to:
✨ Build strength and body awareness
✨ Support healthy joints and posture
✨ Prevent injuries
✨ Boost confidence and have fun while doing it!

Whether you’ve got an energetic youngster or want to start building healthy habits early, this workshop is a great way to learn more about your dog’s physical wellbeing.

📅 When: Early 2026 (date TBC)
📍 Where: Flying Paws Training Facility, Ulverstone

We’re currently gathering expressions of interest so Nicola can tailor the session to suit everyone’s level.

If you’d like to know more, fill out the form below 👇

 https://portal.busypaws.app/customers/flying-paws-dog-training/forms_and_contracts/new?id=5161

Spaces will be limited once bookings open, so if this sounds like something you and your dog would love, let us know today!y

26/10/2025

I find "she will bite" gets a better response 🤣

18/10/2025

The TDTC Novice only Scent Work Trial being held on Saturday 22nd Nov is now open on K9entries!

15/10/2025

ARE YOU READY TO TRIAL?

This is an age-old question.

Having a positive trial experience is NOT all about your teams ability to find a hide. There is a heap bundled into the answer for this question.

PART 1 -

Being 99% positive that Snoop has Scent Work trialling in his future, I'm exposing him to the trial environment now... and he dove right in over the weekend in Yarra Glen at the Vic State Trial. When I took breaks from helping, he was there, navigating a chaotic crowd of dogs and people - people yelling, people running, people carrying things, people driving 4 wheelers, people on a microphone, people clapping and cheering.... shall I continue?

Turning up with a dog who is confident in a trial environment is just ONE aspect of setting yourself up for success. If your dog isn't confident, work on developing that confidence or be prepared with coping strategies to navigate that environment. BUT also know your dog - will a huge trial just be too much? Skip attending that one, pick a smaller trial instead. Or if your dog does freak out when you get there, be kind enough to your team-mate to withdraw... maybe you could help out instead? Or just take your doggo somewhere else to have a walk or play, and decompress.

In my eyes, you deserve 1st place for being kind to your dog and knowing when to call it quits.

So, yes, Snoop is a puppy and we started slow with this stuff... But this is a skill you can work on with any aged dog, to help with achieving a positive first trial experience.

Stay tuned for more trial ready tips!!

14/10/2025

If you want to know what I sound like when I'm nervous, listen to me talk about Scent Work on a podcast 🤣

Pat + Molly from Flying Paws Dog Training invited me as a guest onto their podcast, The Paws Perspective!

The episode was released Friday but I was living in a Scent Work bubble for 3 days and only got to listen to it today! They sound smart, I sound nervous.

Find out what platforms the podcast is available on, here: https://flyingpaws.com.au/services/the-paws-perspective-podcast/

The Paws Perspective · Episode

05/10/2025

FYI - these crates are popular on American Sport pages. I don't know much about them... but if you've been eyeing them up, looks like Wildhunde will be doing an order, so drop them a line!

04/10/2025

🤑

03/10/2025

Gear as a contextual cue.

We all have our own preferences when it comes to working, and for me, I've never *had* to use gear as a contextual cue...

In class, I don't make a big deal about equipment [collar/harness]. I tell newbies to come to class in whatever gear they have on and are comfortable wearing. Definitely nothing new. I've seen loads of dogs come in for first sessions wearing new equipment that is more of a distraction than the new environment. Excessive shake-offs and scratching. It takes away from what the dog is there to learn.

In saying that, I'm not anti-"specific equiment for scent work". In fact, dogs that have toileting "issues" and those that do multiple sports often benefit from specific equipment for each sport... but I like to deal with that, when it arises, instead of pre-empting it.

You see, there is so much about the whole scent work training and trial routine that provides strong context to our dogs. And it often starts before we even leave home: cutting up treats to take with us - gosh, tell me the roast beef the night before a trial didn't drop a massive hint to Lulu! Pulling up at a venue or space - maybe getting out to p*e then sitting back in the car while the humans disappear for a little. Getting out of the car - human has treat pouch on, maybe a different leash, walking with purpose, and then the search word [which I don't often use with Lulu].

The cues are even greater if you are at trial - a carpark full of people and dogs doing the same thing, your humans pheromones [nerves or excitement], start lines, stewards, judges etc.

So, I work Lulu in whatever collar she has on that day. She seem to still know what she is doing. But Snoop may challange me, as a prolific marker at just 6 months of age [stay tuned] 🤣

Now, we do use harnesses every day - and they provide a clear cue to Lulu and Snoop that we are going walking! Me popping on some runners and sunscreen also signals this - the same way as wearing good clothes often means they are staying home!!

I buy our hanesses from Harbour City Dog Gear. They have a great range of high-quality gear and they offer in-store [Lilyfield] and on-line fitting services to help you find the perfect harness for your doggo.

Snoop is in Lulu's old Haqihana harness [until he fit's into his own big-boy harness] - but I love these harnesses for my dogs and our lifestyle. Having Snoop in Lulu's harness was a great excuse to buy her the 'Unicorn' coloured harness, I'd had my eye on for soooo long! With the range that they stock, you will absolutely find the best harness for you and your dog/s whether it's for sport or social outings.

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*Make a toasted chicken + cheese toastie to capture those special moments!