Finding a hide is only part of the search. In multiple-hide searches, dogs also need to understand when the work at one hide is finished and confidently leave it behind to pursue what comes next.
Termination is the moment after a dog has found and been reinforced for a hide, is cued to “find more,” and leaves the effort of that hide to continue searching. A dog with a clear understanding of termination rarely returns to rework the original hide, although they may use known odor as information to help work toward something new.
In this 90-minute webinar, we’ll explore what termination really means, why it matters, and how confusion around it can affect multiple-hide searches. We’ll break down how to teach termination clearly and systematically, building a dog who understands the difference between “this hide is finished” and “there is still more work to do.” We’ll also discuss how to recognize when termination is truly understood, how to progress the skill, and what to do when a dog struggles to leave known odor behind.
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