Ep. 148: Rubber Bands and Scent Work

Our dogs regularly encounter and experience stressors, be it in their daily lives or when they are training or trialing in Scent Work. The number and type of stressor the dog must contend with at any one time will inform whether they can rise to the occasion or crumble under the pressure. 

Visualize a watermelon and wrapping a single rubber band around it. A stressor has been applied, but the watermelon is no worse for wear. However, if we then wrap hundreds or even thousands of rubber bands around that very same watermelon, the pressure has exponentially increased. There is a high possibility that the watermelon will dramatically explode due to the pressure being applied. 

In this episode, we dive deeper into this analogy and highlight the importance of identifying the unique rubber bands that exist for their individual dog. How can we accomplish this? By truly viewing our training and trialing scenarios from the dog's perspective. 

After listening to this episode, make a list of your dog's rubber bands and create a training plan to address each. We want our dogs to experience a stressor and then recover, not succumb to it!

Speaker:

Dianna L. Santos

TRANSCRIPT

Coming soon!