Striving to Understand the Why

As another year is wrapping up, it is a perfect time to reflect. What goals had we set, and which were achieved? What memories did we create along the way? What did we learn? What “aha” moments did we have? What “ugh!” moments did we have? What lingering questions do we have?

For myself, one of the biggest questions I kept asking myself over the last year was why.

Why was I taking a certain tact when training? Why did I choose that exercise, that hide placement, that handling approach? If either my dog or I were struggling with something, why were we struggling? If all was going well, why? What was working and how could I further build of it? What were the tangible signs I was using to ascertain if we were indeed doing well or not? Why were those signs significant?

If a client was struggling with something, why? How could I better break something down into smaller, more tangible pieces to help them be more successful? Was I recognizing the unique needs of them AND their dog? If we were on Path A, would Path B, C or D be a better fit? If so, why? If they and their dog were doing well, could I verbalize this and how could I ensure they continued to progress? Could I potentially push them along even more and if so, why?

When evaluating the trends within the larger Scent Work community, the why question came up time and time again. Why was this trend happening? Was this a helpful trend or problematic? Why? Were there resources I or fellow professionals in the industry could devise to help address these trends? Why were these resources needed? How could such a resource be helpful? Why would it be helpful?

In reviewing trial video or watching debriefs, the why question was ever present. Why did the trial host choose that trial site? Why did they opt to offer those levels, classes or games? Why did the trial official choose to offer that particular puzzle or challenge? Why did the teams tackle the searches the way they did?

When undergoing my own continued learning, I was constantly looking for they "why". Why was this being taught? Why would this be beneficial and to whom? In what circumstances? How could I take this and make it my own? How could I practice and master it? Who would I contact for help if I needed it? Would it be worthwhile to work on and perfect this new skill? Could I use the explanations, concepts or exercises individually or was it best to keep it all together as a unit? Why? Did I truly have a full grasp of all the ins and outs of this topic, sufficient to pass along to my clients? Were there any confusion points, areas where a client may get lost? If so, how could I bridge the gap and still retain the benefits of the initial lesson? Why would I weave this information into my program?

Why?

Asking these types of questions, in my opinion, are crucial. They ensure we are observant, honest and critical about what is going on and not simply going through the motions.

For myself, it helps to keep me grounded and puts me back in the driver’s seat. No longer am I held to the whims of the environment, as an example, I can manipulate it to achieve my goals. Sure, Mother Nature can throw us some curveballs during our Scent Work training sessions, but I can take the initiative to use those to my advantage. Challenge myself to figure out why I had planned to do something in the first place, what the real intent was and how I can use the current conditions to meet the same objective.

As an instructor, it places the onus squarely on my shoulders. I must have an idea, a game plan to best support and teach my human and canine clients. There are bound to be bumps in the road. Instead of ignoring those bumps, I choose to analyze them, actively determine how they can best be avoided or otherwise mitigated.

For instance, perhaps a client is having a particularly difficult time with their long line. I can completely relate! Analyzing why that may be the case and then identifying the best approaches to help them is key.

Perhaps taking this outside the context of Scent Work altogether would be helpful. Build the mechanical skills of holding a long line, determining which hand is the dominant hand and which hand will hold onto the slack. Practicing the motion of feeding the line out and reeling it back in. Strive to keep this low-pressure and fun in the beginning. Allow for the solidification of these skills by the handler alone, then prompt them to practice in their backyard or on walks with their dog.

Only when they report feeling confident, urge them to start incorporating using the long line in super straightforward searches. Build successful repetitions. Look for subtle signs of the client becoming flustered or stressed. Guide them on how to work through this and triumphantly get to the other side.

Why take this approach? Why not just have the client practice their long line skills in drill-like searches until they become more proficient?

Simply put, this would constitute as lumping. When the wheels came off, as they inevidently are likely to do, there would be too many variables at play. How could I accurately diagnose what the problem was? Wouldn’t there also be unintended fallout for the dog? Would I potentially be making more work for myself and team?

That being said, this is not an "always" or "never" sort of approach. There may indeed be a team where the lumping approach would work just fine. It is about analyzing the situation in front of you, asking questions and customizing the approach.

As a member of the Scent Work community, I can analyze how I participate and whether any adjustments are necessary. Am I enjoying my time, feeling rejuvenated and excited or am I stressed out, frustrated, burned out, annoyed or even disgusted?

I am in full control of how I participate in the community, which activities I choose to participate in, what social circles I travel in, and the type of discourse I am involved in.

Take trialing. I had every intention this past year to get my tiny terrier onto odor and start trialing because it was the “thing to do”. I am instructor, I must do it.

Why?

The thought of magically finding time I simply do not have to squeeze this all in stressed me out to no end. Not to mention the cost, where were these funds coming from? Fairly quickly, the prospect of prepping to trial was filled with constant dread. Why was I torturing myself?

Instead, I have decided to closely evaluate what I enjoy.

I love playing the GAME. Spending time with my boy, watching him race around, filled with glee as he finds his hides, be it food or toy hides. I thoroughly love the fact that I can do this at a drop of a hat, whenever I have a spare moment. No huge set up or rigmarole. I adore coming up with ideas for searches, having a plan, setting the hide and watching him work his magic. Reviewing videos, honing my own eye and even evaluating myself, is something I look forward to.

It is freeing to think I COULD put him on odor at any time, but I was not REQUIRED to. We COULD work toward trialing when I get some more spare time and free up some funds, but there was no mandate that we do so. He was still an incredible hunter who loved the game and I was privileged to be his lady person.

By simply asking why, I was able to determine I was needlessly stressing myself out and making myself miserable with wholly unrealistic and silly expectations that no one was holding me to.

Therefore, as we head into the new year, take the time to ask yourself why. Ask this question often, it may just help you keep the sniffing game a fun and engaging one!

Dianna has been training dogs professionally since 2011. She has done everything from teaching group training classes and private lessons, to specializing in working with fearful, reactive and aggressive dogs, to being a trial official and competition organization staff member.

Following a serious neck and back injury, Dianna was forced to retire from in-person dog training. But she was not ready to give up her passion! So, she created Pet Dog U and Scent Work University to provide outstanding online dog training to as many dog handlers, owners and trainers possible…regardless of where they live! Dianna is incredibly grateful to the amazingly talented group of instructors who have joined PDU and SWU and she looks forward to the continued growth of PDU and SWU and increased learning opportunities all of these online dog training platforms can provide.

In June 2021, Dianna and her business partner, Sean McMurray launched Cyber Scent Work, an organization that operates in the gray space between training and trialing in Scent Work. With Cyber Scent Work, handlers have the opportunity to earn Qs, titles and ribbons while also receiving helpful training advice regardless of whether they qualify or not! The advent of the Cyber Sniffing Games, Traditional Cyber Scent Work Program, in-person and online assessments have been met with much fanfare! Be sure to check out Cyber Scent Work, you will be happy you did!