29/10/2025
ARE YOU INCORPORATING BLANKS INTO YOUR SEARCHES?! 🫥
In scent detection, even for pet dogs, we can’t just train our dogs to find a specific odour. We also teach them to ignore objects that don’t contain it. This is where “positive and negative hides ” or “live and blanks” come into play!💡🧠🧐
💡 Try this training exercise at home!
1️⃣ Set up 5 containers (tins, vials etc) – some with your target odour (e.g. Kong) and some completely empty.
2️⃣ Let your dog search freely, praise and reward them only when they are indicating on the container with odour inside.
3️⃣ If they investigate an empty container, wait them out, don’t reward!
4️⃣ Over time, your dog will learn learn that it’s not just finding the container that matters, they need to use their noses to find the odour!
Try this at home, whether you’re just starting out, or you’re an expert at detection, this game can help to reinforce their skills 🐾
