[Day 56] Sausage water trail - nose work for real sleuths
Basic obedience: Day 56 of 56
This video and training is part of the Grunge Obedience Concept, a structured programme to promote obedience and the bond between humans and dogs. The concept is carefully didactic and methodical to ensure that each exercise builds on the previous one for maximum effectiveness. It is crucial that you carry out the training in the intended order to achieve the best possible results for your dog.
Sniffing is one of our dogs' most natural and favourite pastimes. Their nose is a true marvel and is equipped with an incredible olfactory capacity - it allows them to pick up and follow even the finest tracks. This is exactly where the sausage water trail comes in: It combines your dog's natural passion for sniffing with a tasty reward at the end of the trail.
In day 56 of the training plan, you will learn how to lay a sausage water track and thus both mentally challenge your dog and train his ability to concentrate. This exercise is not only exciting, but also strengthens the bond between you as you work together to achieve the goal of the track. The sausage water track is easy to implement and can be adapted to your dog's individual training level. Regardless of whether your dog already has experience in nose work or is following a track for the first time - with a little patience and practice, you will master every track together.
Goal: Your dog follows the sausage water trail and reaches the reward
Equipment: sausages from the jar including sausage water, tin with sausages, Harness, Long Leash
Location: low-stimulus outdoor environment
Duration: One track long
The advantages of the sausage water track
The sausage water track is more than just a game - it is an effective method of exercising your dog in a natural and species-appropriate way. Following the trail not only challenges your dog physically, but also mentally. The concentration that your dog has to muster strengthens his cognitive abilities and provides lasting exercise.
A major advantage of the sausage water track is the opportunity to strengthen the bond between you and your dog. Even if your dog follows the track independently, you are an active part of the process: you lay the track, guide him and support him if he loses the track. This co-operation promotes mutual trust and deepens your relationship.
In addition, the sausage water track allows your dog to exercise his natural abilities. Sniffing and following tracks is one of a dog's most natural instincts, which is specifically encouraged in this exercise. Your dog's brain is particularly challenged as it analyses and filters scents and follows the trail with concentration.
Another plus point: the exercise can be adapted to your dog's individual ability. Beginners can start with short, clearly marked tracks, while experienced dogs are challenged by longer and more complex tracks. This makes the sausage water track a versatile and customisable training method that is fun for every dog.
This exercise therefore offers the perfect combination of species-appropriate exercise, mental stimulation and a shared sense of achievement - all with minimal effort and an extra portion of fun for your dog.
Cynological knowledge: How dogs use their nose
A dog's nose is a true marvel of nature. While humans have around 5 million olfactory cells, the average dog has an impressive 200 to 300 million olfactory cells - even more in some breeds such as the bloodhound. This enormous number makes the dog's nose one of the most powerful olfactory organs in the animal kingdom.
When your dog follows a scent, his brain is working at full speed. Unlike us humans, dogs can break down odours into their individual components. When sniffing a drop of sausage water, your dog not only recognises the smell itself, but can also distinguish between the molecules of the ingredients it contains - such as meat, spices or preservatives. This analytical smelling allows your dog to follow a trail precisely, even if it stretches over long distances.
Following a scent activates the olfactory centres in your dog's brain. These areas are specialised in analysing smells and comparing them with stored information. The limbic system, which is linked to emotions and memories, also works. This means that the scent is not only a physical stimulus, but also creates a mental connection - an interaction that brings your dog joy and motivation.
Another fascinating aspect is that dogs work specifically with their two nostrils when sniffing. Each nostril picks up odours separately and sends them to different areas of the brain. This stereoscopic sense of smell allows dogs to determine not only what they are smelling, but also where the odour is coming from. This helps them to precisely localise and follow the trail of sausage water.
Training with the sausage water scent trail utilises all of your dog's natural abilities. It not only strengthens his concentration, but also trains his brain by challenging him to analyse and filter scents and follow the trail purposefully. At the same time, your dog is positively encouraged by the reward at the end, which makes the task even more enjoyable.
ℹ Breed-specific dog noses
Dogs are masters of olfaction, but not all breeds have the same number of olfactory cells or are equally good at analysing smells. While all dogs have an exceptional nose, there are certain breeds that are characterised by their outstanding olfactory abilities.
For example, the Bloodhound, one of the oldest hunting dog breeds, has an incredible 300 million olfactory cells - more than any other dog breed. This breed was bred specifically for tracking and can follow odours for days, even when they are only faintly perceptible. No wonder the Bloodhound is often used by police and rescue services for search and rescue operations.
Other hunting dog breeds such as the beagle or basset hound also have an exceptionally large number of olfactory cells and a keen sense of smell. Thanks to its nose, the Beagle is often used in airports to detect contraband such as food or drugs. The Basset Hound, on the other hand, was bred to stay on the scent of game - its short legs keep it close to the ground, allowing it to pick up odours more efficiently.
Equally impressive is the sense of smell of the German Shepherd and the Belgian Malinois, which are often used as service dogs in police and military work. These breeds combine their strong sense of smell with a high level of work motivation and intelligence, which makes them ideal for tasks such as explosives detection or rescue missions.
Not to be forgotten are the retriever breeds, such as the Labrador retriever, which are often used for water searches or retrieving game. Their nose is particularly finely tuned to distinguish odours in damp environments - perfect for working near water.
Practical tips for the sausage water trail
Choose the right environment
Train in a low-stimulus environment, such as a quiet meadow, park or forest path. Avoid distractions from other dogs or people.
Prepare the equipment
Cut the sausages into small cubes. Pour the sausage water into a bottle with a drip cap or spray head. Make sure you have a Harness and a Long Leash your dog.
Lay the trail
Start with a short and simple track. At the beginning of the track, lay out small sausage cubes at regular intervals. Gradually increase the distances between the cubes and drip sausage water as a trail.
Show your dog the scent
Lead your dog to the starting position and show him the first sausage cubes. Let him pick up the scent and encourage him to follow it. If your dog loses the scent, lead him calmly back to the track.
Reward at the end
Position the can with the remaining sausages at the end of the track. Let your dog enjoy the reward to reinforce the success of the exercise.
Adapt to the level of training
Adapt the track to your dog's abilities. Short, clearly visible tracks are ideal for beginners, while experienced dogs can master longer and more complex challenges.
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Summary
The sausage water trail is a creative and exciting way to exercise your dog in a natural way. It combines nose work with a tasty reward and not only trains your dog's concentration, but also his problem-solving skills. By specifically following a trail, your dog is mentally challenged and at the same time motivated to work independently.
The exercise is customisable: from short, simple tracks for beginners to complex routes with longer distances and changes of direction for advanced dogs. You can gradually increase the difficulty to ensure that your dog is always challenged anew.
The sausage water trail is ideal for developing your dog's natural abilities and strengthening your bond. You work together to achieve a goal, which is rounded off with a reward - a sense of achievement for both of you. This exercise is not only a highlight for everyday life, but also provides inspiration for other creative training ideas.
This video and training is part of the Grunge Obedience Concept, a structured programme to promote obedience and the bond between humans and dogs. The concept is carefully didactic and methodical to ensure that each exercise builds on the previous one for maximum effectiveness. It is crucial that you carry out the training in the intended order to achieve the best possible results for your dog.
The authors: Paulina & Lui
Paulina and Lui are the heart and soul behind Vitomalia [Dogstraining & Store]. Her journey in dog training began with the adoption of her first list dog, Vito. This experience sparked her deep interest in teaching other dog owners about dog behaviour and training. Initially this was just a hobby, but with the adoption of the American Pitbull dog Amalia, who had been relinquished several times due to severe behavioural problems, her passion developed into a true vocation. Amalia's particular behavioural challenges intensified her interest in dog training and behavioural therapy. This turning point led Paulina and Lui to leave their original career paths, undergo intensive further training and dedicate themselves fully to the subject of dog training. Their work with human-dog teams also revealed a gap in the dog market: there was a lack of safe, high-quality dog accessories specifically for medium-sized and large breeds.
From this realisation, Vitomalia [Dogstraining & Store] was born, a combination of their commitment to professional dog training and the need for quality dog accessories. Paulina and Lui bring their personal experience, extensive knowledge and passion for dogs to every product to help human-dog teams live together.