Container searches are one of the four elements of NACSW Nose Work. Most humans dread containers but why? Mom has always liked them, even when her dogs were failing on them like crazy. Today I’m sharing still photos from Caprise Adams Photography to show you what a container search can be like.
Like every element, there is a start line. Here it is the area between the two orange cones. Containers are often boxes which can be different sizes and shapes. Sometimes they are paint cans, plastic tool boxes, pretty much any container that is a reasonable size can be used and they can be mixed as well. Being a Level 1 Container search, I had mainly cardboard boxes and one hide in each search.
I’m a very energetic searcher, so holding me back at the start line is not easy. See how I take off!
With any search, but especially containers I need to put on the brakes and check each box so I don’t miss anything. I learned on my own to sniff the seams because that is where the odor leaks out the most.
Oops, I was going a bit too fast and I passed the odor box. I could tell the odor cone was getting more distant. Time to hang a u-turn. Going back two boxes I told my mom I found the right box. It took me just eleven seconds.
Can you see how much fun we both are having? Time for me to get paid! For some reason many humans are just afraid a dog will alert on the wrong box. We think it is easier than other elements as we know the hide is in one of the boxes in this case. I don’t have to bother searching the whole area, just the containers.
My third container search was pizza boxes on chairs in the gym. Many dogs had problems with the shiny slippery floor, but it doesn’t bother me at all.
I went right to the correct box but I was a bit unsure of myself. Searching boxes on chairs doesn’t happen very often and Mom decided to have me check other boxes before calling the alert.
One clue there is something wrong here is that I am not even looking at the chairs or boxes. Why? Because I am not smelling any odor in the area. If there is no odor, I’ll sniff around looking for something more interesting.
What do you know, we are back where I started at the box with the odor. I checked it out again and I was still sure it was the correct box. the odor is coming out of the box, covering the chair, and dropping to the floor.
Time for my alert! Mom is checking with the judge to make sure we get a “yes”. See me, I already know it will be a “yes” and I’m waiting patiently for my treat.
Instead of a few seconds, we ended up taking sixty one seconds to call the alert. Mom is learning, and I am patient with her. Treat time! Container searches are not that bad, folks! We look forward to many more successful container searches in our future!
Hope you enjoy the still photos. We get videos too, but sometimes still photos are more fun to see. The photos and videos are definitely something we are thankful for.
My GBGV Life is joining Brian’s Home Blog in the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
You and mom will learn together, but I’ve learned long ago that when it comes to nose work the pups are way smarter than we are.
Have a woof woof Thankful Thursday. My best to your siblings and your hard working mom. ♥
You are right on with that. Humans can’s smell worth a darn!
Hey Olivia! Great post! you look adorable. After we read your post, Mom and I talked about a post from a lot of years ago — before you or your sister Madison were born! Your beautiful sister Emma was practicing sniffing in your basement with boxes! Your mom had set up a course in your basement! Mom and I were so impressed with your mom’s creativity and that your big sister was doing homework!!! Ask your mom about it, she probably remembers. (also, tell your mom we call my baby brother’s harness that he wears to daycare his “uniform” because your sisters called their harnesses uniforms!! When mom says “time for your uniform, my brother jumps and cheers!) We loved these pictures and the story about the successes you enjoyed! Awesome work!! your friend Lilly.
Yes, mom remembers that way back when Emma and Bailie first started nose work. We actually practice buried and water hides in the basement these days and we have a ton of boxes we use to work on containers. Practice makes perfect, so we practice a couple times a week besides our classes. Mom still calls our harnesses our uniforms too. That is sweet that Chester has his own uniform! Thank your mom for remembering our posts from so far back! This is the post we think you remember https://mygbgvlife.com/2014/01/24/nose-work-homework/ A couple photos don’t show, but most of them do. 🙂 Have a Grand day!
You have an amazing nose and we always enjoy seeing the fun you have! Thanks for joining our Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
I really love my sniffing and Mom loves to be on my team.
Containers are fun!
We think so too!
Olivia, you have a fantastic nose, and you give wonderful signals to your mom! You are amazing!🥰😘XOXO Sparkle
Thank you. I love my job of sniffing. Because I love it, it isn’t really work at all.
wow that was interesting to read… and we are so happy about your fabulous nose work… we probably had shredded all boxes ;O)
Destroying containers can get you disqualified, so I don’t do that. Sometimes I gently put a paw on one but that is it.
You are amazing, Olivia! Imagine if there was a different flavor pizza in each one of those boxes☺
We have food distractors a lot in containers. Chips, bacon, liver treats, but I know I only get paid if I find the odor. The boxes they use are all brand new, so no lingering pizza odor.
Great work finding what needs to be found
Thank you.
Container searches look pretty straightforward, congratulations on doing such a great job!
We think so too, but most people panic about them.
Loved all the pictures. Mom you got to keep practicing.
Mom is trying harder all the time and she is getting better. She still struggles a lot with my sisters but she will not give up!
I love seeing you pulling so hard at the start! You rock, Olivia! Good job.
I’m just crazy for nose work. I beat dogs that are a lot older and in more advanced classes all the time. Nose work is really my thing!
Maybe next time your mom will believe you the first time! Mmm, pizza boxes. We love pizza boxes. XOX Xena and Lucy
She has gotten pretty good at believing me right away, but I wasn’t acting as I usually do, so she elected to wait.
Wow what a fun day! Congrats on getting all of them!
Thank you. It was a fun weekend overall.
Nose work is definitely your thing, Olivia!!
I got to go to Madison’s nose work class last night and that is exactly what her instructor told mom about me.
How fun! Olivia, you are quite the tracker – Mom needs to try that new game with her next dog -I am too old now.
Chablis
What a wonderful post and a fun adventure. I think Lucy could learn to sniff out containers on the ground. She always has her nose close to the floor.
If we are trained to search for odor, it can be anywhere and we will catch it and work to find the source 🙂