Classes and workshops are helpful but not necessary to teach your dog the skills. Snifferdog sport is designed to be a recreational activity not a competition or a job it needs to be fun for you and your dog.
Getting started.
Snifferdog sport involves walking with your dog to find your search sector. Then letting your dog use that powerful nose to help you find the source-article.
Use whatever equipment you need to control your dog while walking outside. The Frustration of dealing with a pulling or lunging dog will take a lot of the fun out of the day for you. I find that a front and rear attaching harness helps a lot. While the dog is walking I hook the leash to the front. When he is working and sniffing I hook him to the back. That way the dog also knows if he should be walking with me or sniffing and hunting. Snifferdog sport is a family affair, if your dog is big enough to drag your child perhaps two leashes are in order. One for the child to steer the dog and one for you to provide breaks and adult control.
When you get to your sector and start your dog working, let him work. I don't think dogs appreciate back seat drivers any more than humans do. Use your eyes to hunt the way humans do, use your line to keep your dog with you in the sector, and let him use his nose to hunt.
IF your dog is not super enthusiastic about using his nose initially (and a lot of very obedient dogs have learned not to use their nose.) Don't worry beginner events are designed so that if you are looking you should find the article source. It usually does not take too many of those before most dogs learn that the start article = yummy treats, or a quick game with a special toy!
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