I’m quite opportunistic when it comes to training. What I mean is that I try to look at the environment on walks through the dog’s eyes and take training opportunities as and when I see them. In this case, our local forest is full of branches fallen after the big storm a few weeks ago, which has created lots of fun spots for light, fun nosework.
A couple of things you’ll see on the video:
1. I drop treats into the middle of messy branches because I want to encourage Astra to think more creatively and independently how she will solve the problem of getting what she wants.
2. I also want to encourage Astra to get used to the idea of searching for things on different levels because this is something that will be useful in formal nosework. At the end, I also wanted her to look for treats by moving around stuff with her nose.
3. Although we don’t hunt, I want my dogs to demonstrate qualities that would be required in that work. In hunting practice, spaniels are often used in rough, overgrown terrain and seeking in heavy cover (e.g. blackberry/sea buckthorn bushes) is what really sets them apart from other hunting dogs*. This means they must confidently search in environments like bushes and reeds that are inevitably uncomfortable. So when I throw a ball or dummy into bushes, I want my dogs to dive in without hesitation**. That practice starts now with learning to stick your nose in weird, wet places (among many other things) and putting your head under branches to reach something you want. It’s also independent problem solving, which is an important quality for a working dog and also builds a puppy’s confidence in their own abilities.
BONUS: This stuff is really easy to do several times a week on walks, all throughout the dog’s life! Another word for opportunistic is “a bit lazy” – finding the easiest way to get to the outcome you want by expending the least amount of effort for it. I’m simply nurturing what is already in the dog and making the most of every environment we walk in.
CAVEAT 1 FOR CONTEXT:
* While I think this is an important quality for working spaniels, I find it unethical to send dogs to environments like thick, thorny blackberry bushes that will scratch their skin to shreds, and potentially damage their eyes, ears, tail and tongue. Sounds extreme, but it commonly happens on shoots especially in the UK. Call me a softie, but we no longer need to hunt for survival, so there’s no need to exploit our canine companions and/or prove some toxic masculine toughness by putting them in a situation where we know they’ll definitely injure themselves. If you must, then at least put a neoprene vest on them to protect the torso from the worst. My dogs are my friends, not dispensable and disposable tools.
CAVEAT 2 FOR CONTEXT:
** Within reason, of course, I don’t want them to be foolhardy. This is also something that has been both normalised and even venerated in spaniel hunting circles – some/many “real hunting” people want a spaniel who is so wired to work that they will do anything while pumped up on adrenaline, like run through blackberry bushes and come out with their tongues bleeding. Again, they are my friends – not disposable tools that I close off in a kennel at the end of a day.
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