11/23/2021
What to bring to a scent work trial! 😁
For your dog:
✅ Treats! 🍖 LOTS of them! Make sure they’re REALLY good treats - remember, the trial environment is stressful, exciting, and distracting. Your treats need to be worthwhile! Bring a few different kinds so you can switch out if your dog gets bored.
✅ A treat pouch/fanny pack to hold your treats while you’re in the ring 🎒DON’T try to just carry a handful of treats into the ring - you’ll get a fault if you drop any. Bring something to put them in.
✅ A fixed-length leash for walking around the trial grounds 🐕 (retractable leashes are not allowed in between searches)
✅ Whatever equipment you use for searching! (Harness, longer leash, etc - whatever you’re using in training)
✅ A collar/harness WITHOUT ID TAGS (anything that hangs from the collar is not allowed during searches)
✅ A crate! You will need to leave your dog alone at times and they’ll need to be crated and/or inside your car. Make sure it’s one your dog is both comfortable AND secure in
✅ A bed/blankets/mat for inside the crate - you will be doing A LOT of waiting around. Make sure your dog is comfy! 🛏
✅ Water - lots of it! It’s going to be HOT out there (unless the weather decides to act up like it has been) - bring lots of water for your dog AND you 🚰
✅ A water bowl 🥣 - they need something to drink out of!
✅ Vaccine records 💉 It’s unlikely you’ll be asked for them - but better to have them and not need them, than need them and not have them. A photo on your phone works fine too.
✅ Your dog’s AKC registration number 🧾 Write it down and bring it along! You may need it for move-up forms and other paperwork.
✅ Clean-up baggies! 💩 They’re often provided out at the trial site, but better to bring your own just in case. You’re responsible for cleaning up after your dog, as always.
✅ Booties 👟 IF your dog is used to them (this trial site is known for being covered in sticker hurts - though it’s been treated so we’re hoping for better luck this year! 🤞)
For you:
✅ Appropriate clothing 👕 - you’re going to be spending pretty much the entire day outside
✅ A face mask 😷 - you will need one in any common area (anywhere other than your spot around your car)
✅ Water! 🚰 Lots of it. It’s going to be HOT 🥵
✅ A chair - you’ll want to sit down 🪑
✅ Food! 🥪 Snacks, lunch - in general, food will not be provided so you’ll have to bring your own
✅ A book or something to keep you occupied 📚 - again, there will be A LOT of sitting around waiting
✅ Sunscreen 🧴- it’s going to be HOT!
✅ Bug spray 🦟 - you’ll be hanging out in grass, there are likely to be bugs
✅ Sunglasses 🕶 - again, HOT and sunny!
For you both:
✅ A battery-operated fan, if you want one - have I mentioned yet that it’s going to be HOT?? Make sure it’s battery-powered, there will not be electricity available
✅ A picnic blanket/tarp/something to cover the ground - highly recommended, there are usually lots of sticker burrs at this trial location
✅ A pop-up, umbrella, or other shade cover, if you’re going to want one (there are some trees, but not many) ⛱
✅ A shade covering for your car, if you have/want one (highly recommended if you’re not bringing a pop-up/other shade covering!)
✅ A good attitude and lots of patience! 😁😁
What NOT to bring:
🚫 Your odor kit or ANY birch/anise/clove/cypress oils! They are not allowed on trial grounds except for judges to prevent contamination
🚫 Prong, pinch, or ecollars - they are not allowed on AKC trial grounds
🚫 A bad attitude or any unsportsmanlike behavior! 👎😁
Questions? Did I forget something important? Let me know! ⬇️
