The Search Lab Course

Applied Odor Theory and Search Design

Bring a goal, a question, an idea you want to test, or simply the willingness to have your thinking challenged.

The Search Lab is a six-week class with seven live Zoom meetings. Each session is shaped by the dogs, handlers, goals, and questions within the group.

You will use hide setting, applied odor theory, student video, and live discussion to design searches with a clear purpose. You will learn to define what you want to examine, think through what the setup may produce, observe how the dog responds, and decide what to change, develop, or test next.

As the session progresses, you will take a larger role in designing and evaluating your own searches. You will be expected to explain why you chose a setup, what you expected, what you observed, and how that information affects your next training decision.

The group expands the learning beyond your own dog. Each team brings a different training history, environment, search style, and response to odor. Questions raised by another team may change how you approach your own training.

What to Expect in the Opening Zoom

The first Zoom takes place before the six class weeks begin.

We will discuss each dog and handler, the concept the team is currently developing, relevant training history, future goals, and any questions the student wants to examine.

You do not need to arrive with a perfectly defined plan. Your first assignment will be to take that discussion and refine what you want to pursue during the session.

Bring a dog who has already been introduced to the concept you want to explore. The skill may be established, still developing, or raising questions for the team. Trial level does not matter; we begin with what the dog currently understands.

Each session stands alone. Students may also return with the same dog and a new goal, another dog, or a different stage of training. The framework remains consistent, while the direction of the class changes with the people and dogs enrolled.

Students must be able to safely set hides, film and submit weekly searches, participate in live discussion, examine their training decisions, and complete assignments.

What Does This Class Include

The class includes seven live Zoom meetings across the six-week session, weekly video submission and feedback, a private class group, and lesson material added throughout the session.

Where to Access the Class Materials

All of the class materials will be available in the Student Group within the Scent Work U Community (the Circle app).