The Beauty of Both Sides

In a black and white world there is comfort in the predictable. With black on one side, and white on the other, there are differences but also common ground. In nose work, there is beauty on both sides. On one side there is what you know and can depend on. The black.

Winnie sources odor and I pay her.

Nose work is always about a dog and a handler. It is always about two-way communication and teamwork. Getting your team to the start line is a no-brainer requirement. Then there are tangibles like a harness, leash and a bait bag full of treats. At a minimum, these are aspects you can count on when you and your dog are sniffing.

Less defined than the tangible aspects in black is the esoteric white side of nose work. The variables and unpredictables.

Grand Junction Elite-S Trial, March 2024-Team Winnie

Our aim is to manage the scene. We want to know everything about the search area. The officials manage the odor vessels with utmost scrutiny, and contemplate hide placements based on the skills that the teams will show. With deliberation, handlers consider environmental factors like temperature, air circulation, noise, and interesting non-target odors like food, critters, other dogs. We wish to know everything before we actually start searching. No matter the energy put into it, we can never execute the perfect search. The handler does not know where the odor is hidden. We must follow our dog.

Not to be over looked here is the many aspects of the dog. There are certain things about a dog we can learn and come to expect. But dogs all have physical and personality differences in play, and these are as unique and varied as each individual dog’s nose print.

A random bird flushes out of the bushes just as a dog begins to source. Your high-drive hunting dog will notice. Or a squirrel sprints from one tree to another just before a team crosses the start line. Your hyper-focused herd dog will pay that critter some attention. You can expect anything to happen. There’s no end to the possibilities. The black and white of nose work includes everything under the sun.

Aside from the few black and white constants of nose work, the essence of the game is in the grey. Whether you are training, practicing or trialing, embrace the complexity of nose work. When sharing with friends and associates your own experiences, acknowledge the beauty of different perspectives. And if you see something you disagree with, approach the situation with empathy and understanding. Open your minds to the nuances of nose work and the lessons to be learned.

Like straining to see clearly on a foggy day, it’s an effort in futility. There is no eyewear that will clarify your vision, so put on your rose-colored glasses. Dance your way into the swirling mist with closed-eyed confidence, knowing your dog is there to show you the way.

In nose work, the phrase “the beauty of both sides” means you can know what is on one side and the other, but you will find the beauty in between.

To read More about nose work, find my book A Little Dog’s Adventures in a Big Dog’s World here on the Books page. Or anywhere books are sold. Below is a recent review:

I just finished A Little Dog’s Adventures in a Big Dog’s World and felt deeply moved, not just by your journey through the world of scent work, but by the loving, respectful bond you share with Winnie. Your storytelling made me smile, reflect, and even tear up at times. The way you wove together personal growth, faith, and the joy of canine connection was truly special. It’s clear that this book will resonate with anyone who loves dogs or is curious about the evolving world of canine detection sports.—Sarah Donovan