Recognizing Changes, Adapting Strategies, and Keeping the Joy in Searching
Aging is a natural part of our dogs' lives, but the changes that come with it aren't always obvious. Sometimes the first signs appear in the search itself: a dog takes longer to locate a hide, hesitates before entering an area, changes their usual search pattern, or needs more recovery time between searches.
These subtle differences are easy to overlook or interpret as training problems. But what if they're telling us something important?
In this webinar, we'll explore how aging can influence a dog's physical abilities, sensory processing, endurance, confidence, and overall search experience.
More importantly, we'll discuss how recognizing small changes can lead to meaningful, tangible improvements for both ends of the leash.
Participants will learn how to distinguish possible age-related changes from training challenges, adjust hide placement and search environments, and recognize when a dog may need additional physical support or veterinary evaluation.
We'll also explore how handlers can adapt their expectations without sacrificing the teamwork, problem-solving, and enjoyment that make nose work so rewarding.
The goal isn't simply to keep older dogs searching longer. It's to help them search comfortably, confidently, and successfully for as long as they enjoy it.
