SAP: Step 4

EQUIPMENT:

• the scent wheel
• 6 glass shakers
• a sheet of tissue paper (Kleenex will do in a pinch)

Step 4:

Adding variables to the dummy shakers.

Now we are going to make the choices harder for the dog.

We will place a non-source item into each of the 5 empty glass shakers.

Once again, we will do this gradually, beginning with only 2 shakers on the wheel - the "hot" shaker containing the target odor - and one shaker containing a different object.

A. Since the tea is contained in a "bag", we will add tissue to the non-odor shakers.

Train in the same fashion as when you were introducing shakers to the wheel until your dog is dependably locating and indicating the source shaker when there is tissue in the other 5 shakers.

In order to document that your dog understands the job at this level, once you feel that he is understands the game, use the Scent Wheel Training Form and meet the actual Seizure Scent testing Baseline Criteria before moving forward.

Baseline Criteria:  3 successive sets of 90%+ conducted on 2 subsequent sessions.

B. Now work the scenting exercise using two different target scents.  Document using the Scent Wheel Training Form.  We want the dog to again meet the Baseline Criteria.  

Testing Protocol 1:  

Before the testing of live Seizure Scent begins, the dog must first be taught how to play the "find the scent" game.  And, be introduced to the Scent Wheel.  During this training process it is assumed that distractions (as defined above) will be used so that the dog understands all the parameters of the game.  

The criteria of switching from training mode to testing mode should be 

• eager enthusiasm for the game; 
• being able to find and alert to 3 different scents on the scent wheel; 
• clear and consistent alerts.