We had a little fun one time when doing a “Mock ORT” for Luke’s nose work studies. This was one of the first we did with the Dadz, and since I didn’t want to set Luke up to fail, I tried to make it just a little easier for him by just folding the flaps of the box into each other, so there might be just a little ventilation for the scent tin inside. It also made it easier for the Dadz to set it up for us.
I don’t know if I was slow to get in there because I had said “Alert” and I was waiting for hubby to confirm with a “yes”, or exactly what happened, but Luke did something he doesn’t usually. He tried to stick his nose right into the box.
Yup, he got the box stuck on his nose. Now, if you look at this series of photos it doesn’t even appear as if I’m jumping in there to help him! I promise you I wasn’t laughing at him (well, maybe chuckling just a bit), and I did get right in there. After all, Luke is a fearful dog and something like that could totally freak him out.
It didn’t. I think he was just SO focused on the scent in the box, it didn’t phase him in the least. My DSLR camera has a “Pet” setting on it, and that setting snaps off several shots in a row rapidly, and that must be what makes it look like I’m not rushing in there. I did, honestly, I’m almost sure of it!
All’s well that ends well, and once I got the box off he got lots of treats. We did a few more trials after that and he did great. No worse for wear, thank goodness! It is a little funny, now that we know it all turned out OK. 🙂
BTW, I am going to get more proper boxes for our future practice. All the boxes will match as suggested by our friends who compete in nose works. That way I can set up the box properly and just let my hubby place it. Luke doesn’t need the extra help any more anyway, he can find the box when scented q-tips are taped underneath the closed part of the box. I’m just thankful this little blip didn’t set us back at all!
Oh poor Luke, (but it is funny). I think doing work type training gives a dog a lot of confidence and it looks like that is happening with Luke.
It looks like Luke behaved like a gentleman. He looked very calm and I’m sure it’s all because you were calm as well.
You must have been really calm/relaxed throughout the box sniffing process, so that probably helped Luke stay calm. It’s great that the box didn’t bother him at all!
I’m having to learn not to be reactive, in order to help Luke not to be. 🙂
Now, Momz, I know you must have chuckled at least a little bit when the box got stuck on Luke’s nose. I would have had a heck of a time keeping from laughing at Ducky or Shadow if it happened to one of them. ????
Glad it all worked out okay! Maybe one of these days – after I finish my vet assistant course – I’ll check out this Fenzi online nose work class. I really do think it would be a great class for Ducky. And I wouldn’t have to worry about her reaction to strangers.
Well, I’m sure I laughed…just a little…once I knew he wasn’t freaking out! 🙂
The online classes are just perfect for us right now. I think worrying about reactions to strangers would take away from the learning process in a “live” class. I think it would be great for Ducky too, and that you would enjoy it.
LOL! Wait until later when you put food treats into some of the boxes as distractions. Then, he will *really* be trying to get into those boxes!!!
I didn’t know that you do nosework! I do it too, with Shyla. Unfortunately, I’m not sure that she’ll ever be able to compete due to fear issues but we love the training!
We did some other distractions, like soap, grass, and other scents, but I’m sure treats will be a whole other story! 🙂
I think you were one of the ones that suggested Fenzi and gave me the idea. I have to thank you for that, because I’m so glad we took the class. We’ll definitely be taking the next one too.
I also doubt we’ll ever be able to compete with Luke, since he is extremely fearful of strangers. But it will give us something to work towards anyway.
Haha Luke the box got your nose!!!
Hey, that was pretty impressive Luke and the oops probably won’t happen again!
I’m very impressed with Luke progress! You are doing terrific.
That has happened to Barley before. We had to quit practicing that way because I think she thought it was funny and kept doing it purposefully. I’m glad this didn’t traumatize Luke!
I think Barley likes entertaining you! 🙂
Whether the box is closed tight or not, if the opening is on top or on the bottom, it doesn’t matter. We can smell it. Just make sure you keep your odor box separate from the others so it doesn’t contaminate the other boxes when stored. Good thing Luke didn’t get scared, that would have been sad, but it’s great to know he is so driven!
He is definitely driven! We hadn’t done much practicing lately, but when I got out the tin the other day and hid it around the house, I couldn’t believe how well he did. He was totally on it!
The first time I read in my classwork that we would be taping the q-tips to the box and not vent the box, I could not believe that Luke would be able to smell it that way. Yet he did – it amazes me every time how strong their noses can be.
Yes, I’ve been keeping all my scent containers separate from the others, and also in an area the dogs don’t have access to.
a box stuck on your nose? that makes you technically to a boxer Luke :O)
Something else in his genes we didn’t know about – LOL!