Both instructors and clients will benefit from this exciting roundtable. Our panelists will discuss ways instructors can best help their client prepare to succeed in the various levels of AKC Scent Work trials.
Our panelists will discuss what skills are typically missing for teams who are competing, how to build these missing skills, ways to ensure clients successfully progress up the levels, common issues and possible solutions, common pitfalls to avoid and much more.
PANEL OF SPEAKERS
Anita Ambani, Holly Bushard, Tony Gravley, Judith Guthrie, Natalie McManus, Khara Schuetzner
EVENT ORGANIZATION
This virtual event will be organized into three separate sections with two lead speakers assigned to each. The entire panel will contribute throughout the event.
SECTION 1 - Identifying Missing Skillsets
Lead Speakers: Tony Gravley and Judith Guthrie
- What skillsets are the dogs typically missing at trial?
- In the lower levels (Novice and Advanced)
- In the upper levels (Excellent, Masters and Detective)
- What should instructors focus on to better prepare the dogs?
- What skillsets are handlers typically missing at trial?
- In the lower levels (Novice and Advanced)
- In the upper levels (Excellent, Masters and Detective)
- What should instructors focus on to better prepare handlers?
- What is unique about AKC Scent Work trials instructors must prepare their clients for?
SECTION 2 - Common Issue and Pitfalls
Lead Speakers: Anita Ambani and Holly Bushard
- As a trial official, what are some common issues and pitfalls you are noticing?
- What trends are backfiring on teams at trial and in what context?
- How can instructors avoid these issues, pitfalls and problematic trends in their training programs?
- In preparing teams for AKC Scent Work, what are some struggles you have experienced as an instructor?
- What are some solutions or tips for success you have for fellow instructors?
SECTION 3 - Ensuring Proper Progression
Lead Speakers: Natalie McManus and Khara Schuetzner
- How can instructors better ensure their clients are properly progressing?
- Are there certain skills that must be solid before working on others?
- How can instructors better diagnose what an issue may be?
- Is it a dog issue, handler issue, environmental issue or something else?
- What metrics are used to determine if a team is indeed "ready"?
- What can instructors do to counteract a client's desire to rush ahead?
