Scent Ops Trial South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum.

Bronze

This trial was held inside one of the exhibition halls.

This had only one entrance just rear of the start point, the door remained open throughout. The door at the far end was closed.The search area was quite complicated with a variety of part cockpits, displays and an added small room just before the end of the search which was quite contained. The white dog found both hides well inside the time limit.

The first hide was approximately 12 feet from the start point at the side of a copilot's chair in an open cockpit See photo, all dogs found this, but some had difficulty pinpointing the hide. 

The second hide was in the small additional room, the hide was placed in a small space at the front of the nose cone as can be seen in the photo of the white dog.

The second hide was more challenging and all the dogs that failed to find this hide was due to the handler (a) making assumptions where the hide was. (b) blocking the dog from the hide.

Results. Bronze

First.  Emma Jenkinson with Mary.

Second. Alison Shaw with Flynn (An excellent result for a first trial)

Third. Tracey McGowan and Portia

Fourth. Stephanie Foster with Ivy

Fifth. Marie Holt and Bay

Sixth.  Debbie Glenister Beal and Kya

Silver

The silver trial was held outside the search area can be seen on the photos, This proved to be a challenging search for all participants.

The first hide was on the base of the metal building with an Anderson Shelter next to it, every dog picked the odour plume up at the opposite corner but struggled to pin the source down, again several of the handlers blocked the dog, with a couple of the handlers convinced the hide was on the shelter.

The second hide was a high one in a cowling again see the photos, most dogs worked the cone, but many inadvertently were pulled off the hide, again the handlers being convinced the hide was on the plane behind. The environment and the turbulent wind in the area made for a challenging trial.

Results Silver

First. Emma Jenkinson and Mary

Second. Pam Berg and Chip

Third. Alison Shaw and Flynn

Fourth. Tracey McGowan and Portia

Fifth. Marion Proctor and Ola