Nose Work Handling Focus Class

How much are you influencing your dog's search without realising it?

When handlers know where the hide is located, confirmation bias can easily creep in. Our body language, movement, leash handling, and focus can unintentionally provide information to our dogs. Over time, dogs can begin to rely on these subtle cues as part of the search process. This often becomes apparent during blind searches, where the handler doesn't know the hide location. Without those little tells from the handler, the search can suddenly become much messier, exposing just how much influence was present all along.

This once off focus class is designed to help handlers develop the skills needed to support rather than direct the search, creating confident dogs that work independently and handlers who can recognise, trust, and respond to what their dog is telling them.

Topics covered include:

• Handler influence and confirmation bias