Course Details

The AKC Detective class is not only the highest level of competition AKC Scent Work offers; it is also an incredible challenge for dog and handler teams. In this course, we will breakdown how you can best prepare yourself, your dog, and your team to tackle this challenge head-on with all the confidence and knowledge you need to succeed.

Over the duration of this course we will cover how to figure out your team’s best strategies and plans, we’ll breakdown the types of odor puzzles you will commonly see at an AKC Detective class, and work on developing useful skills to help your team succeed in meeting and conquering this challenge.

Should I Take This Course

Are you planning on competing in AKC Scent Work? Have a better understanding of what tackling an AKC Detective class entails, what you and your dog will need to do to succeed and come up with a customized training plan and strategy that will help YOUR team.

Are you planning on competing in another Scent Work venue? Many of the concepts and principles covered in this course can be successfully applied toward any of the Scent Work competition organizations.

Are you an instructor? Ensure you are providing your own students the skills and tools they need to meet the incredibly difficult challenge of mastering the AKC Detective class.

Prerequisites

None

What You Will Need for This Course

  • your dog
  • flat or martingale collar
  • back-clip harness (optional)
  • 6'-8' leash
  • 10-15' long line
  • LOTS of small, non-crumbly treats that YOUR dog finds rewarding

Course Outline

    1. Welcome!

    2. What Are We Learning in This Course?!

    1. What is Detective?

    2. Need to Assess Where Your Skills Are Now!

    3. What is Flagging?

    4. 5 Assessment Exercises

    5. Importance of Training Plans and Training Logs

    6. Suggested Course: Now What Do I Do?!

    7. Week 1 Homework

    1. Importance of a Training Log

    2. Training Larger Number of Hides

    3. Blind Searches

    4. Corners

    5. Varying Hide Heights

    6. Start Lines

    7. Search Environment

    8. Working Odor and Types of Hides

    9. Week 2 Homework

    10. Week 2 Handout

    11. Week 2 Homework

    1. Setting Expectations Regarding Patterns

    2. Patterns Start at the Start Line

    3. Tricks for Covering the Search Area

    4. Breaking Up the Search Area

    5. Searching in Both Directions

    6. Presentations

    7. Searching All the Planes

    8. Where Has Your Dog Been...And Not Been

    9. Put a Pin In It

    10. Know Your Role

    11. Recap of Guidelines

    12. Week 3 Homework

    13. Patterning Handout

    14. Week 3 Homework

    1. Practice With People Near and Inside Your Search Area

    2. Distractions

    3. Assess Strengths and Weaknesses

    4. Thoughtful Desensitization

    5. Canine Conditioning

    6. Week 4 Homework

    7. Handler Proofing

    8. Week 4 Homework

    1. Working On-Leash v. Off-Leash

    2. Pausing

    3. Independence in Search v. Helping Your Dog

    4. Interval Training

    5. Odor Problems You Must Solve

    6. Week 5 Homework

    7. Stamina and Endurance

    8. Week 5 Homework

About this course

  • Free
  • 64 lessons
  • 4 hours of video content

Meet the Instructor

Scent Work Instructor Judith Guthrie

A professional detection dog trainer, handler who is also an approved Scent Work trial official with AKC Scent Work and USCSS, Judith brings the breadth of knowledge an perspective sought after by many Scent Work handler teams.

Judith's Accolades
  • CNWI
  • AKC Scent Work Judge
  • USCSS CSD and Judge
  • Cyber Scent Work, Inc. Review Official
  • Member of National Tactical Police Dog Association (NTPDA)
  • Former Member of International Bed Bug Resource Authority (IBBRA)

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