Search dog training and coaching for sports and working dog teams. Online courses and webinars in Detection.
09/01/2025
Setting criteria in dog training is essential, because you need to know how you want the product of your training to look, what you'll reward, when to move on to the next step, or when you’ve reached your training goal.
When you plan, make your criteria as specific as you can. Visualise what you want your dog to do and write it down, in one paragraph. It should be specific and clear enough so that if somebody else reads it, they should be able to replicate the end result of your training.
It's important that you yourself respect your criteria, otherwise how can you expect your dog to understand what you want.
Toy motivation is the foundation of my dogs' Detection work.
I believe it IS possible to build and increase desire for a toy, by directing a dog's natural drives onto it. It's a subtle art which carries some risks if not done properly, but it can be learned.
If I had to pick one highest priority and one main thing to avoid, they would be:
👍🏼 Using fun games and activities will naturally grow the dog's desire for the toy, and to hunt for it (which is why I call them Hunting Games).
👎🏼 Rushing into the search too early, before the toy has enough value for the dog, can make it feel more like being forced to search for it - not an emotion we want associated with this toy.
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One thing to keep in mind: when you play Hunting Games you need to follow certain principles, to make sure that you're progressing towards the desired outcome. I've put together a DIY mini programme for you where you can learn how I do this:
Hear it from one of the first who joined it, and graduated last year. This is what Michał from Poland says about his experience:
"I've had the pleasure to work with Astrid in her brand new instructor course program and what a journey that was! 9 months of constant growth and knowledge for myself as a dog trainer and a business owner.
Already after first part of program (3 months) I’ve started to teach my first clients with with great support from Astrid. We managed to get by lots of different scenarios and methods in dog detection training. This program is ideal for people who are looking for something tailored to their needs" - Michał L**h .dog
✓︎ Teach Detection or want to start teaching?
✓︎ Want to add a new income stream to your business?
✓︎ Seek up-to-date training methods adaptable for different dogs, including those who are not ‘Kong crazy’?
✓︎ Want to learn additional skills like play, motivation building, and progression planning?
✓︎ Want a coach to support you as you start teaching and applying what you learn?
My instructor coaching programme for teaching Detection as a sport has been designed with you in mind! It's been running for almost a year now and I'm taking new applications.
You can complete this programme fully online, and international participation is always welcome.
Do you want to learn to demystify Scent Detection for your clients?
I look forward to seeing you at one or more of my webinars scheduled for 2025. Scroll through the slides to see what's on the agenda.
I might add one or two more at a later date - watch this space, check out the webinars page on my website, and make sure you've subscribed to receive emails from me (form on my website, at the bottom of the home page).
Reinforcement is a process that makes a dog's behaviour more likely in the future.
Reinforcement is called "positive" when the dog is presented with a good consequence, and "negative" when a bad consequence is removed.
While I like to stick with the practical things in training, understanding reinforcement as a concept is important - not only for making sure that we mean the same thing when we talk to each other, but also for looking at our dogs' responses in training, when we don't get the result we want.
You can check out my GLOSSARY highlight on Instagram for a collection of terms I've shared so far. Are there any other search dog related words you'd like to see included?
28/12/2024
Here's how you can join one (or more) of my 2025 Facebook Challenges:
Scroll through the 6 different images for options and check out the dates. When you see something you like, sign up through my website on this page:
I look forward to seeing you in action in the new year!
26/12/2024
With social play, some of the ways we naturally act as humans can have a completely different meaning in 'dog language.' This can lead to disengagement—or worse, a dog not wanting to play with us again. That’s why understanding 'dog etiquette' and becoming fluent in play is so important.
If I had to choose one essential skill to focus on and one critical mistake to avoid, they would be:
👍 MASTER THE PHYSICAL ASPECTS of play. Actions like moving backwards to invite engagement, adopting a non-threatening stance, and mirroring your dog's movements are key. Dogs don’t rely on verbal cues during play, they may even find them distracting, so improving your mechanics will make a difference to your interaction with them.
👎 GOING ON FOR TOO LONG is my biggest no-no. Play is a high-intensity, high-emotions activity, to be enjoyed in short bursts. Your dog needs time to recover, both mentally and physically. And so do you. I always say, when you feel it's going well and you could carry on, it might be time to stop. Finish the play session while your dog is still on a high, wanting more.
Today I've kicked off this year's Play With Your Dog Facebook Challenge, which is all about elements of social play. You can learn more about it on my website: https://www.ontargetk9.co/challenges
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Videos
Paco
Watch with sound.
Paco on the brick wall again. I like them super crazy for Kong, but still able to immediately switch to searching.
Raven
A brick wall refresher for Raven.
Training videos are so valuable for assessing what I want to tweak about his search, but also what I should tweak in my own actions. Like the less than ideally angled throw here that’s on my list to watch out for next time.
Without monitoring what we do (as trainers for our dogs) it’s too easy to get into ‘bad’ habits and stop thinking on our feet. And then we wonder why the dog does something we didn’t want them to do. Most likely because we’ve reinforced it without realising.
Neko
Little obstacle course hunting game for little Neko.
My goal here is that’s she stays on task even though she has to physically manoeuvre around.
Do you set specific goals for your training sessions?
Neko & Paco
Spot the similarities and differences between Neko and Paco hunting!
An update to my Hunting Games mini-programme is on my to-do-list. Those of you who have the current version will automatically get the update.
Quick drill on the bricks for Paco.
I have a place available for Momentum Coaching, if you want to build up your dog or puppy’s Detection Foundation.
To find out more about Momentum: https://www.ontargetk9.co/1-1-training
Great work by this team doing Momentum Coaching with me.
Detection foundation training involves motivation work, leading into search development and eventually to indication training.
Yes, it’s important to start with the right genetic material in the dog. But it’s not enough. It’s about showing up and doing the training. Like my student Becky has done with K9 Moo.
With Momentum you’re never on your own, I give input every step of the way. To find out more about how Momentum works, see: https://www.ontargetk9.co/1-1-training
Kai
Kai’s tracking journey started with indication training as a puppy. You’ll see actual footage from his training in the demo videos for my Tracking Indication Facebook Challenge starting tomorrow.
Reasons to join this training challenge:
1. Get the training done: if you’re committed it’s possible to train this in 10 days.
2. We’ll train this with food, so it’s suited for any dog, toy motivation is not needed in this training progression.
3. Learn how to make it a really focused indication, rather than a ‘woodpecker indication’ where the dog keeps looking at you.
4. Training this indication can be the start of your tracking training (in our Last Facebook Live of the challenge I can give you tips on how to continue, or you can sign up for more training).
5. It’s all ready for you to roll up your sleeves - you get the training steps to follow during the challenge, as well as life time access to these materials afterwards.
6. You get instructor input on all videos you post, plus additional tips and Q&A by Facebook Live.
7. You’ll be part of a private training group with like minded people, which will help you stay motivated. There’s still time to jump on board!
Sign up here: https://www.ontargetk9.co/courses/tracking-indication-facebook-challenge
Tracking Indication Facebook Challenge
I’m organising this year’s get-together in a private Facebook group to train a focused down-stare INDICATION FOR TRACKING DOGS, over 10 days, starting on Wednesday 16 October.
Training alongside like-minded others, for a set time, will help you feel accountable, gain momentum and keep you on track.
I'll be there to support you every step of the way, with written feedback for your videos.
All training materials are included with this training challenge. You'll get step-by-step instructions, demo videos to illustrate and insider tips. We'll be using food for this one, so you can take part even if your dog isn't toy motivated. This is an international event and runs in English, but if English isn't your first language Facebook can automatically translate all written instructions and feedback.
As a bonus, you'll get lifetime access to the training steps via your account on my website, so you can refer back to them in the future. And, as long as you remain in the group, taking part again whenever I repeat the challenge in the future is also included, free of charge.
There are different ways to start Tracking. I start with indication training, hence total newbies are just as welcome to this challenge, alongside those who already track and still need to train the indication. Puppies can learn this too - as you see in the video.
Participation fee is 47 euros for the 10 days. If you have more than one dog to train you can upload videos of both for feedback, and still only pay once (another bonus!)
Reserve your place here: https://www.ontargetk9.co/courses/tracking-indication-facebook-challenge
Neko
Playing food chase with this little piranha. Hasn’t she grown? It’s Neko.
Black sharks… Paco, Neko and Luca at the lake today
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‘Every dog needs a nose job’
Just like us, each dog is an individual and this is how we train at Surrey Search Dogs. One team at a time, the task, the pace, everything tailored to the dog and their handler. In a session with five dogs we may work in five different ways.
Nosework is a journey of discovery we enable for our dogs to take us on. This is where we trust them and we watch and learn about them, while they learn to navigate the challenges we set. You cannot force nosework and you cannot rush it, you simply enjoy being part of a team out on an adventure.
Be prepared to be surprised and fascinated by discovering this wonderful activity together! Or, if you are already addicted, you know... the learning never stops.
Why we love nosework...
Any dog with a nose can do it. Puppies’ sense of smell is there since they are born, whereas for other skills they have yet to develop physically or mentally. Sniffing is still fully functional in dogs recovering from physical injury or older dogs whose exercise levels are limited, hence it’s a great way to provide them with mental stimulation. It can focus reactive or easily distracted dogs and provide an outlet for hyperactive dogs. It can help shy dogs gain confidence.
Our dogs already know this game. Sniffing is a fundamental skill in dogs, since it’s been a main reason why humans have bred dogs over time - think about the role it plays in hunting, herding and guarding. It’s up to us now to harness this incredible talent in a way that makes best use of it. Detection training is quite different from other forms of dog training.
It enables our dogs to live a more fulfilled life. It wears them out, in a good way. Most dogs will be more affected by half an hour searching than a three-hour walk. Nosework may not always be physically demanding (though it can also be - as physically demanding as you want to make it), but it takes so much concentration. Either way, the brain will need a good rest afterwards. Fido will need to recharge in dreamland.
Possibilities are endless. Scentwork for example can be done indoors or outdoors, in any setting, with other people involved or just handler and dog. Equipment needed is minimal and low cost. Some days we keep it as simple as hiding a tennis ball while out on a walk, on others we search for a scent underground. We do, of course, have serious nose games (searching for illicit substances or lost people), but we also have an option to search for lost coins when we’re bored at the pub. Not to mention finding those keys lost in a field...
It’s fun. Dogs can find nosework rewarding for the sake of it. They can ignore food, toys and favourite people while they are busy searching.
It builds a good relationship. I need my dog to solve a puzzle I can’t solve by myself, and my dog needs me to read and handle him to so he can search most efficiently – we’re a team.
