Freya's First Look at Scentwork UK Level 3
Today, Freya and I travelled to Thurleigh Village Hall to take part in an NFC Level 3 Scentwork UK trial. NFC means not for competition. It is a useful way to experience the next level without the same pressure as a competitive trial. It allows you to see where your training is, understand the searches and identify the details that need more work.
The judge and host was Marianne Tembey of Patchwork Dog Training. The relaxed NFC format gave me the opportunity to try different approaches with Freya and learn from each search.
Search One. Tables, Chairs and Perimeter Items
The first search involved tables, chairs and perimeter items. I started Freya on lead to work the perimeter, but she immediately pulled towards the table and chairs. The first odour was clove, positioned on a chair.
Freya caught the odour quickly, but spent some time working out exactly where the source was. Rather than interfering or trying to hurry her, I allowed her enough line to work it out for herself. I eventually dropped the lead on the floor and let her continue independently. She located the source and gave me her indication.
Because Scentwork UK does not allow rewards inside the working area, I took Freya to the reward zone at the far end of the hall. I knew that once the hide had been found on the tables and chairs, the next item would be on a perimeter item, so I began working that area from the far end.
Fortunately, the next hide was on the first perimeter item we approached. Freya indicated and I called it, but I called it too early. Precision matters at this level, and that cost us 0.2 marks. I allowed Freya to work right up to source and used my clicker to mark the behaviour.
Scores
Alert - 20/20
Handling - 4.8/5
Time - 72 seconds
Search Two. Exterior items
The second search was an exterior search. At Level 3, the time does not stop after the first find. The dog must continue working through the area to locate the remaining hide. This is different from Levels 1 and 2, where the found item is removed and the clock stops.
There were two reward zones, one at each end of the search area, so I worked Freya from left to right. She located the first item, I called it and we moved to the far-end reward zone. After rewarding her, I restarted the search from the opposite direction.
Freya then located the second item and gave a clear indication. This was a good example of how the handler has to think about the rules, the layout and the dog's reward system while still allowing the dog to do the searching.
Scores
Alert - 20/20
Handling - 5/5
Time - 51 seconds
Search Three. Boxes, Bags and Containers
The third search was an interior search involving boxes, bags and containers. This time, I chose to work Freya off lead. The environment was safe and, because this was NFC, I felt comfortable trying a different approach.
Freya located the first hide on a box. I rewarded her in the far reward zone again and then used the search structure to decide where to focus next. Once she had found the box, I concentrated on the bags. Freya then located the second hide and gave a clear indication.
Scores
Alert - 20/20
Handling - 5/5
Time - 46 seconds
Search Four. Wall search
The final search was a wall search involving two hides: clove and gun oil.
Freya found the first hide beautifully. She passed the area, caught the odour and worked her way back to source, giving her indication within the required area. After rewarding her outside the search area, I brought her back in and mentally measured approximately 80 centimetres from the first hide for our next start point. She quickly located the second hide as well.
Scores
Alert - 20/20
Handling - 5/5
Time -39 seconds
What did we learn?
Freya performed very well throughout the trial. We achieved full marks for finding the hides, with the only deduction coming from my decision to call one indication before Freya had fully worked to the precise source.
That deduction was mine, not hers.
More importantly, the NFC format allowed me to relax and experiment. I worked her on lead, off lead, from different directions and with different search strategies. I was able to think about the next level without becoming overly focused on the result.
That is the real value of a not-for-competition trial. It gives you a chance to experience what comes next, identify the details that need sharpening and build confidence before the score matters.
Freya showed that she is ready for the challenge. Now it is my job to keep improving the precision, handling and decision-making that will allow her work to be shown at its best.
Final score
Alert - 80/80
Handling - 19.8/20
Time - 208 seconds
Tom Moir
Loving NFC
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