ScentOps Trial Results from Kate Bowsher Dog Training , Field Barn Farm on Sunday 14th June.

Results:

Bronze

1^st - Kylie Birch & Scully (97)

2^nd - Nicole Mawer & Mango (94)

3^rd - Jan Martin & Amber (90.5) DIAMOND

4^th - Cristian Philpott & Ziggy (83.5)

5^th - Michelle Harmsworth & Callie (79.5)

6^th - Bethan Comley & George (73)

Silver

1^st - Kylie Birch & Scully (96)

2^nd - Jak Enticknap & Ralphie (95)

3^rd - Vanessa Bonner & Daphne (92.5)

4^th - Emily Jane Meadows & Lola (91)

5^th - Jan Martin & Amber (82.5) DIAMOND

6^th - Nicole Mawer & Mango (77)

Gold

1^st - Emily Jane Meadows & Lola (95)

2^nd - Liz Price & Paddy (93)

3^rd - Jan Martin & Mattie (88) DIAMOND

4^th - Jak Enticknap & Ralphie (81)

Platinum 

1st - Jan Martin & Mattie (93) DIAMOND

2^nd - Eve Silveston-Maxey & Ruby (69)

3^rd - Kate Bowsher & Jack (64)

4^th - Liz Price & Paddy (63)

Trial Reports:

Bronze

The Bronze search area was in an outdoor courtyard full of stacks or shavings / horse bedding. The weather was warm and sunny with a mild breeze. 

The first hide was on the left at the start of the search area, on a corner of a palette between the palette and a bale of shavings. The teams had to work into a corner space to make sure they were able to get to source. 

Most teams were able to locate this hide but some had to work back the opposite direction to access it. 

The second hide was at the back of the search area inside a bale of shavings via a tear in the bag. Again, most teams had to travel past in more than one direction to pick up the odour and work into source. 

There was some brilliant searching demonstrated by both new and more experienced teams. It was a joy to watch everyone and well done to all of the competitors. 

Silver 

The Silver search area was outside on the farm. It started working alongside big and challenging obstacles in warm weather with not much breeze. The first hide was located amongst some planks of wood stacked alongside the shed. Teams had to make sure they worked their dog into the corner to get to odour. The second hide was located underneath a tall workbench. Teams accessed this hide from all sides and under the bench and there were some beautiful displays of dogs working the edge of the odour to get to source. Interestingly, most dogs had to work the search area backwards to achieve both hides and the dogs didn't always pick up the first time passed, unless worked into the corners. Well done to all of the competitors we were lucky to watch some fantastic teams.

Gold

This search area was held outside , and included part of the side of the main building and the storage bays along the back wall. It was sunny and the temperature was increasing in this concrete area. The first hide was in the side of the wooden storage unit, and was quite accessible to the dogs. The second hide was in the same storage unit, well over a metre away , along the front. This confused some handlers as they did not believe their dogs, thinking it was odour blowing through from the first hide, despite being given very clear indications. The third hide was placed in the furthest right hand side bay , up on a pile of stacked plastic barriers. It was great to watch the dogs work to source , and all were very precise in pin pointing its location as they worked their way up . It was a pleasure to watch all the dogs work this area , and very interesting to see how the handlers thoughts and perspectives could potentially interfere with the outcome of the search .

Platinum 

The platinum trial today was located in the large training barn and forecourt. The Area to be searched was around half the perimeter of the forecourt

and the entire Barn. This area includes many different surface areas, a sofa and boxes of equipment, brick, metal, plastic.

A very warm outside and significantly cooler indoors with alcoves.

We put out 4 hides. The 1st on a slim metal upright entrance rail around 7m from the start.

most dogs got this hide which was a soak unless they rushed straight past.

The second hide was under a dog cage on one side of a wooden palette and about 3m to the left after entering the Barn. Air could access it but dog

would need to sniff under the wooden upright palette as it was pushed back about 5 inches. One dog found this.

Third hide was tucked inside the bottom left loop of large flat material hanging on the wall about half way down the barn on the left side in an alcove.

Two dogs found this absolutely beautifully by tracking upwards. The others were tasked on to the opposite end and they partially tracked across but

stopped short of the hide.

Fourth hide was at the bottom underneath the Large Metal Barn Doors and behind a chair leg on Barn side. Dogs seem to struggle to pick this up,

possibly due to lack of airflow. One dog found this hide when tasked in.

A challenging Platinum. All dogs and handlers worked really hard and should be proud of their wonderful Dogs. Highlight of the trial was a soft toy

distraction which was overcome but then followed by a whole bag of Tennis Balls which just proved a bit too much and within moments, the Barn floor

was scattered with Balls and any attempt to maintain a straight face was abandoned.