Truffle Dog Training

The weed mat, grass and high winds were no match for the canine nose!!!

It is true as humans we cannot see the scent coming out from the truffles. But alas, we can if only we open our eyes fully and truly understand our canine companions body language.

The below picture is where the scent cone is but I can’t see it with my eyes but I know where it is at this time my dog is standing there. How can I put such definite lines as to where the edges are?

All because I have studied canine body language and understand the changes in behavior the dog preforms when he is walking into the scent cone of the truffle.

Why is this important?

1. I know instantly that my dog has walked into the scent cone of a truffle.

2. I know where that scent cone is so I can walk the dog back to this scent cone to re align them with the scent if the wind picks up or changes direction.

3. I know which direction the truffle is by the angle of the edges of the scent cone.

Understanding your dog’s body language is imperative for a good truffle dog team. They can’t tell us with words but there is so much body language they preform to tell us everything we need to know. All this well before they have actually found the exact location. I can tell the difference between when he is smelling a ripe truffle / semi ripe / native truffles / or something else completely. I can say to the owner before he has found the location; “Yep there is a truffle here” even before getting down on the ground to smell the soil.

This video of Kovu walking into the truffle scent cone and finding the truffle's exact location is a beautiful example of the types of COB's truffle dog trainers should be looking for.

Watch this video and test yourself.

How many COB's can you see? Answer is below. No cheating now, watch the video first!

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ANSWER:

So, the COB’s Kovu demonstrated beginning at the 8 second mark to 21 seconds. (13 seconds)

Mouth snaps shut

Quick head turn

Head sniffing ground suddenly

Moving away from scent and doubling back quickly

Quickening of pace

Head turning this way and that he is finding the edges of the scent cone.

Hearing fast sniffing of air with a closed mouth

There were more, like the wagging of his tail as he knows he is getting closer to getting his reward however its not visible in the video.

I wonder if I have missed any COB’s?