Trial Official Program

Being an official at a Scent Work trial is not for the faint of heart! Scent Work trials are notoriously chaotic behind-the-scenes, with a myriad of moving pieces to keep track of to ensure the machine moves along somewhat smoothly.

Trial officials are a crucial part of this enterprise. The resources in this program are designed to assist trial officials be the best they can possibly be, as they help more dog and handler teams have a blast playing the sniffing game!

20 products

Handbook for Scent Work Trial Officials eBook Instructor Dianna L. Santos This eBook is written to provide general tips and guidelines for all Scent Work trial officials, regardless of the organization they may officiate for. Ways to avoid common pitfalls, as well as the dreaded trial official burnout, are covered as well.

Trial Program

Improving Scent Work Trials for Everyone Virtual Event Instructor Holly Bushard, Kayla Dever, Michele Ellertson, Tony Gravley, Michael McManus and Lori Timberlake In this roundtable, our panel of speakers discuss what works at Scent Work trials right now, potential pain points and issues, common pitfalls and actionable suggestions helpful for trial hosts, trial officials and competitors alike.

Trial Official Program

So, You Want to be a Trial Official Webinar Instructor Dianna L. Santos Firstly, thank you for wanting to give back to the community by becoming a trial official! In this webinar, we will discuss what trial officials are expected to do and how rigorous and demanding the role can truly be.

AKC Scent Work

Officiating AKC SW Trials: Novice to Advanced Virtual Event Instructor Holly Bushard, Ana Cilursu, Tony Gravley, Judith Guthrie, Laurel Scarioni, Khara Schuetzner This roundtable will help trial officials and competitors alike. Our speakers will share tips and insights for designing level-appropriate Noice - Advanced seraches, setting "Yes" zones, scoring a run, share tips for success, common pitfalls to avoid and much more.

AKC Scent Work

Officiating AKC SW Trials: Excellent to Detective Virtual Event Instructor Holly Bushard, Tony Gravley, Judith Guthrie, Laurel Scarioni Our roundtable will provide insights helpful for trial officials and competitors alike. Discussion will focus on the Excellent, Master and Detective levels of AKC Scent Work, how to design searches, set "Yes" zones, officiate runs, common pitalls to avoid and much more!

Trial Official Program

Trial Officials: Creating Level-Appropriate Searches Webinar Instructor Judith Guthrie It is essential for a Scent Work trial officials to design level-appropriate searches. Learn how in this webinar.

Trial Official Program

Trial Officials: Choosing Odor Puzzles Webinar Instructor Judith Guthrie Trial officials can quite literally make or break a trial. One of the most crucial choices is which odor puzzles to offer. Judith will discuss ways trial officials can better make these choices.

Trial Official Program

Trial Officials: Assessing the Search Area Webinar Instructor Judith Guthrie When designing a search area, it is essential to first assess the space and determine if meets the need for the given class, level and association. Learn how to assess search areas in this webinar.

Trial Official Program

Training Hide v. Trialing Hide Webinar Instructor Judith Guthrie Scent Work trial officials must undertake the monumental task of designing appropriate searches for competitors to tackle. This means they must understand the difference between "training" and "trialing" hides.

Trial Official Program

Officiating Right: How to be the Best Scent Work Trial Official Webinar Instructor Judith Guthrie Officiating a Scent Work trial is a big responsibility. Learn how to ensure the best experience possible for all involved in this webinar.

Trial Official

Canine Body Behavior and Scent Work for Trial Officials Webinar Instructor Dianna L. Santos Trial official are the eyes and ears of a Scent Work trial and must be able to properly read canine body behavior to ensure they are setting everyone up for success.

Trial Official Program

Time Management for Trial Officials Webinar Instructor Judith Guthrie Staying on-task and on-time are essential skills for every Scent Work trial official to master. In this webinar, Judith will outline ways Scent Work trial officials can practice good time management at a trial.

Odor Theory

The Difference Between Theory and Reality Seminar Instructor Tony Gravley Are you looking for a down-to-earth explanation of odor theory with tips on how to design specific odor puzzles? This seminar is for you!

Learn About Odor

Hide Placement and Odor Movement Seminar Instructor Laurel Scarioni Understanding how odor moves can improve your skills as a handler and trainer and is something all trial officials must understand and use to their advantage when designing searches.

Understanding Odor Theory

Odor Theory: How to Set for the Goal Webinar Instructor Judith Guthrie We know we must set hides with purpose and that means having a goal. But how do you actually do that? Setting hides that consistently do what you want is a skill in itself. Learn how to do so by having a better understanding of odor theory with this webinar.

NASDA

Becoming a NASDA Judge Webinar Instructor Donna Morgan Murray Are you considering becoming a Judge with NASDA? Perhaps you have been competing, loving the sport and are looking for a way to give back. This webinar is precisely what you have been looking for!

USCSS Program

USCSS: Hide Placement for Trial Course Instructor Michelle Doram Gain a better understanding on how to place hides in your practice sessions with the same techniques trial officials use.

Trial Prep Program

Judge's View Virtual Event Instructor Anita Ambani, Bill Gaskins, Judith Guthrie, Michelle Munson, Caroline Oldham, Aleks Woodroffe Wouldn't it be nice to know what the Judge sees? What works. What doesn't. Trends they notice over a course of judging several teams over a variety of events. We will discuss this and more in this exciting virtual event!

Trial Prep Program

Sniff Busters Webinar Instructor Laurel Scarioni Learn about the common myths and misunderstandings about hide placement and odor movement that can result in issues when training and trialing in Scent Work.

Live Webinar

Fair Searches for Little Dogs Webinar Date February 17th at 5:30PM PT / 8:30PM ET (6:30PM MT / 7:30PM CT) Instructor Judith Guthrie and Jenny Hamilton Are there ways we can ensure searches are fair across the board, especially for smaller dogs? Join Judith and Jenny has they examine factors to consider when setting and assessing searches. Discussion will include odor availability, hide placement, timing, physical access, footing, and obstacles as well as sourcing, communication and handler skills.

Passionate About Scent Work

We are committed to offering outstanding learning opportunities that will benefit both you and your dog as you embark on your sniffing journey.

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