Supporting v Interfering: Becoming a Better Handler in Scent Work Webinar

In this insightful webinar, participants will explore the critical difference between supportive handling (helping your dog succeed independently) and interfering (unintentionally hindering the dog’s natural scenting ability).

The core message is clear: Scent work is a dog-led activity, and the handler’s primary role is to provide safety, space, and calm guidance without becoming a distraction or crutch.

Unfortunately, handlers often cause more problems than they realize through subtle actions. Instead, the goal is to create true teamwork, where the dog drives the search with their superior nose, while the handler manages logistics, reads body language, attempting to stay neutral and avoid cueing or pressuring the dog. However, there are times the dog asks for help. It is these moments when the handler must know how to assist without over-taking the search.

This webinar will explore the different ways of supporting vs. interfering with our dog’s search.