In our TRAIN TO TRIAL & TRIAL TO TRAIN series we have explored the concepts of source and sourcing odor pathways with keen handler observation and the needed goals and resources for training competent skill sets to thrive in training AND in trial. Along this training and trial journey we (handlers and trainers) use numerous tools to build skill sets and clarity for both the dog and the handler. TWO IMPORTANT tools often used that directly relate to SOURCE, are pairing (food or toy at source) and markers (verbal source locators). Lets discuss the INS and OUTS of these TWO TOOLS and how similar and how different they actually are or may be !

TO PAIR OR NOT TO PAIR - TO MARK OR NOT TO MARK - THAT IS THE QUESTION !

TO REWARD OR NOT REWARD- THAT IS THE QUESTION - GOT THAT ONE !

How do we train MOVING ON v REWARD AT SOURCE in training ? Does this change for trial day ? Does our dog have clarity of a prior found hide or prior found odor ? Is this a handler construct to fit our scent detection sport for effective and efficient trial performance searching ? All these questions and more- in this insightful discussion inspired by a recent trial where as a handler I got "lost" between two mirror hides and thought a not yet found hide or new hide was potentially a prior found hide and later asked myself does that matter ? Does my dog differentiate found odor from not found odor ? New odor from old odor ? Conundrum or maybe not ?

Topic : TRAIN TO TRIAL and TRIAL TO TRAIN

REWARD AT SOURCE !

How do we train SOURCE drive for Trial ? How do we reward AT source in training or in trial ? Is it the same or is it different ? Lets chat about Source Reward ! Its a fun topic to gain insight into the concepts of SOURCE REWARD and what that may mean AND CHANGE in multiple scenarios from training accessible to inaccessible hides, high hides to ground hides, known location hides vs blind hides, remote reward away from source or training final response reinforcement, dog decision making or rewarding the dog's odor or source indication. ALL with added FUN comments and discussion from our TRIAL HOST family sitting around the table !