Bailie and I have our first ORT tests in just three weeks, so we are studying hard! ORT is for odor recognition test and this test will be a test for birch odor for both of us. Mom has never been to one of these test either so it is all new for us. Luckily, our teacher, Sharon, at Active Dog Sports Training is trying real hard to help us prepare.ย We completed Nose Work level 2 and start level 3 this week. We are excited as it will be outdoor and vehicle searches. At our last class, we were told how the ORT test works, how to prepare and did a couple test runs in class.
The test will consist of twelve identical boxes, one of which has the odor in it. The boxes may be in a single row, two rows, a circle, or any constellation. They need to be spaced so the dog can walk up and down and between them. There is also a threshold, a kind of starting line. The dog starts the test there, but like in a track meet, can’t cross the line with the paws until it is time to go and search, so we are practicing that as well. Crossing the line early results in a failed test, yikes!
To get identical boxes, Mom went to the post office and picked up twelve boxes. She taped them together with festive orange duct tape. Box twelve is the source box. Using the scented swabs and a glove, three of the swabs are placed in the roof of the box. the box is then closed, and labeled source. This is the only box that will ever have the odor in it. We let it sit for at least half an hour to get the odor going.
In the real test we will be on leash, but sometimes for practice we are off leash…like when Mom has to take photos!
We are supposed to go up and down the boxes sniffing for the odor
When we find it, we need to signal Mom that we found the box. She says “Alert” and if it is the right box, we pass the test.
Bailie searches down the row as well.
She moves to the other row.
Bailie seems to have found the source box.
It seems real simple, and for Bailie and I, it really is…BUT…there is a weak link in our chain – Mom! The problem is signaling Mom so she knows which box has the odor. This is where the teamwork really comes into play. Right now I seem to have it down as I kind of push the source box around, but not the other boxes. Bailie hasn’t found her communication move yet, so she and Mom are working on that. If we fail, it will most likely be her fault for not being able to read us well enough. No pressure, Mom ๐ We will bring a few boxes and our odor kit with to Blogpaws so we can get a practice or two in. Going a whole week without nose work might not be a good thing.
Once we finish doing our regular nose work homework and then studying for our ORT by doing a few runs, Bailie and I are worn out. It is a lot of mental energy with all the sniffing. It may not be the same calorie expenditure as going for a run, but it does add into our fitness training variety quite well.
That is one of the ways we were staying fit this week. What were you doing to stay fit? Iโm joining the FitDog Friday Blog Hop hosted byย SlimDoggy,ย Peggyโs Pet Place and To Dog With Love!ย Share your story with others and find fun, new fitness ideas too!
Wauw I think you will be doing great. Have fun (and a little bit serious) Good luck guys. Sniff and wags from Laika and Vaks.
We have fun, it is Mom that has the more serious part ๐
What a super blog! As usual, Emma, you communicated the message very well. Happy training. XOXO Sparkle the PBGV
Thank you! We are working hard to teach Mom things about how we show her a scent.
Wow that is a great nose workout. What fun. Have a fabulous Friday.
Best wishes Molly
Our noses are real tired today after working out a lot last night!
When Dad and Kรผster train, sometimes they take a week (or longer) off. They say it’s important to do that, and when they do, Kรผster always comes back really strong and eager to work. Tell your mom not to stress too much about not being able to practice every day next week! ๐
Bunny
We train every two to three days. The hard part is getting Mom to understand out signals. Too bad her nose is so bad, LOL!
This is really a Mommy test. We know you and Bailie will do great!
You understand completely!
Wow, super impressed with your nose work! Would love to get Kate the Kelpie doing something like that. Sounds like a great exercise and hope you get the alert happening soon!
You should see if there are any nose work courses in your area. We started exteriors last night and that was over the top exciting fun!
Sounds like so much fun Emma. I know you will both pass the test (as long as mom studies too). Thanks for joining the Hop – keeping mentally sharp like this is a good fitness tip!
We got some awesome tips from our teacher last night, so maybe we will work better together now.
That’s pretty neat! I bet you guys will ace the test. We can’t wait to meet you at Blogpaws.
Are you going? I thought you decided not to go? That would be awesome if you are there. We would love to meet you!
Very impressive! Can I watch you guys practice? Mom found nose work training for me, it starts while we are at BlogPaws so maybe I’ll be taking it soon! Love Dolly
We will probably just practice a few times in our room. We can get a good practice in for both of us i 10-15 mins. We got good pointers at class last night that should help us all out. That would be great if you could start a class. You would love it!
I think that Moms worry too much about tests. When we did some nose work classes, we learned to sit when we found the right box. It was a good signal to my Mom Person. I’ll be anxious to see how your tests go! Have fun!
Bailie sits sometimes or gives Mom a stupid look, I tend to push the box around.
Looks like you’re doing great! I can see how the signaling part can be the hardest. We may be at BlogPaws too (still working it out). Hope to see you there!
Diane and Rocco
We will be there unless something happens on the road! Hope to see you there!
Oh how interesting! I am anxious t find out if my dogs could pick out the right box!!!!
แฆ husky hugz แฆ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
We can find it easily, but telling Mom is the hard part but that is where the bonding in the sport comes in as we have to work together.
Wow!! Doodles do not have this skill at all. But when Mom is cooking, my baby sister Lilly is right in the kitchen with her. I think Lilly smells snacks coming along!! I know Mom will bring me a taste so I don’t worry about getting to the kitchen. Congratulations on all of your hard work. Can’t wait to read more about it! Your doodle friend, Dash
Bailie and I love to hang out in the kitchen too. Katie knows if there is anything for dogs Mom will let her know, so she is just nearby.
Bailie, we know that you and your mom can do it!
We are working hard to make sure.
BRAVO! You are the bestest Scenthounds ever! I’m not sure what I would do with all that boxes, lol. Probably I would shred them first. Will you work as a detection dog once or is it a hobby for you? Guess what? Maybe we will travel through the Vendรฉe in fall, hope I will meet a lot of Grand Bassets Griffon Vendรฉen there :o) Have a super friday!
Hey, that would be cool. I never went to France myself. Keep me posted. We are doing it for fun and will enter competition in the fall or winter to see what we can do. Somedog needs to show the world what a GBGV nose is capable of ๐
wishing your mummy the very best of luck – i know you don’t need any lol. Hope you get the signals all sorted out
If only Mom had a better nose!
This is so cool, you guys are professional sleuths! Can’t wait to follow along as you guys give Sherlock Holmes a run for his money.
We will have to see if we pass and then in the fall or winter how it goes with competition.
Y’all are quite amazing and dang good at that smelling the goods stuff!
Our noses knows ๐
We’ve started noseworks recently, too! We’re in our second session now–but we took a couple weeks off first for Easter and then so our trainer could meet her new grandbaby–but we’ve just started outdoor searches and if the weather is good, we’re supposed to be able to do car searches, too! We’ve just started working with odors–our first session was all treats all the time, and now we’ve started pairing the treats with an odor. I have never seen Barley have as much fun as she does with noseworks, so someday we will probably be doing the ORT, too!
That is awesome! We are in level three with the exterior and car searches. It is so much fun and moving from indoors to outdoors really makes it much more fun. We’ve been working with Birch for a while now, but are starting to enter Anise now.
Bailie and Emma you look like you’re taking this new job (hobby) very seriously. Keep us posted on your progress. Are you planning to help with search and rescues or go into law enforcement?
Mom thought about search and rescue with Bailie but it is really a huge commitment so we are just going to do K9 nose work competition and for fun too. Law enforcement wouldn’t be a field for us, we enjoy bending the rules a bit too much. We want Bailie to start tracking class in August too, and there is only so much time for it all.
Those humans are always the weak link! lol Good luck with your tests. I bet you will both do fabulous!
I sure hope we don’t have to retake later. It would be best to just pass the first time.
I think the important thing is that you are having a good time and it’s good for your health and fitness. I have a feeling that with three more weeks of studying, you will all do well and pass the test….even Mom! ๐
We think Mom might need medical attention because she doesn’t seem to be able to smell the source box at all.
Way to go Emma!
Thanks. We are really working hard.
With your great sniffer, you’ll do great, Emma!
Bailie and I know we can do it, but we have to work with Mom a bit more. Her nose is really not that good!
That’s so awesome… Donna is good at sniffing… scents that she is interested in personally. Only. Haha!
We like those scents too.
Love the great photos to explain exactly what you’re doing. Looks like you’ll pass with flying colors!
We sure hope so!
This seems like so much fun, Emma! I bet both you and Bailie are great at it. You’ll pass the test easily, if your mom can keep up, of course. ๐
As I said, Mom is the weak link.
Rooo Emma – that looks totally pawsome! I went to my first nosework class last week and I LOVED it! *waggy tail* Can’t wait to learn about real odours soon. See you at Blogpaws!
Wait until you start with odor outside, tons of fun!
That looks like hard stuff to do! I don’t know if us dogs could do that! You and Bailie are two smart doggies!
It is pretty easy for us, but working with Mom is a challenge.
That sounds like a lot of fun Emma. Wish we could come and watch. So good luck and hope Mom doesn’t mess up ๐
Have fun studying and good luck on the test.
Thank you. At least studying is fun.
well we knew the weak link wouldn’t be one of you two, perhaps you need to make your signal moves more obvious perhaps a hand stand or Bailie could shout “oy, mum it’s this one” just a thought!