Introduction to Multiple Hides - Interiors
After our dogs have practised multiple hides with containers, we introduce the same concept in Interiors.
Step 1: Back to Back Interior Room Search
Do back to back interior searches with a single hide. This is a fun and easy setup. This exercise gets the dog used to finding one hide, getting rewarded and then searching again to find another hide in quick progression.
Step 2: Patterning Multiple Interior Hides in a Row
Using the same approach as we did for containers, we place multiple hides in an interior area. Use four chairs or objects placed in a row. Make it easy for your dog at first by making the hide visible or in another easy location.
Driving to the Next Hide. The goal is for the dog to leave the hide easily and drive off from the hide they just found to the next hide. Initially you can step off toward the next hide to encourage your dog to continue searching. Once your dog shows understanding by moving off to the next hide, you can wait for your dog to "cast" off on its own like we did with the container drill. This step is necessary because it’s important for the dog to learn we will not lead them on where to go next in the search area.
Picking Up the Hide. Since multiple hides are a new skill for interior searches, dogs can get very sticky at a hide so we will pick up each hide as your dog finds the hides. You will want to pick it up after rewarding your dog and quickly put it into a non-treat pocket and cue your dog to find another.
Note: Do not hold the hide in your hand or place it somewhere in the search area.
Step 3: Intermixing Hot and Cold Objects
Next, set up a search with two hides, adding blank objects between the hides. The set-up would be similar to one of the following:
Step 4: Large area two hide search
If your dog has been successful with the previous search setups, you can move on to a larger area two hide search.
Step 5: Leaving found hides in place
After about a week of picking up your multiple hides, you can start leaving the hides in place. Be ready to follow the process of re-cueing your dog to find another if they get sticky after being paid or if they return to a found hide. Give them a chance to problem solve without helping them to move off. If they are stuck, go ahead and pick up the hide and put it in your pocket. Soon they will start to learn that after a hide is paid, it won’t be reinforced if they go back.
Trouble Shooting
What if my dog misses one or more of the hides?
What if my dog won't leave the found hide after being rewarded?
What if my dog goes back to a found hide (or where the previous hide was picked up)?
Training Points
Step 1: Back to Back Interior Room Search
Do back to back interior searches with a single hide. This is a fun and easy setup. This exercise gets the dog used to finding one hide, getting rewarded and then searching again to find another hide in quick progression.
- Select two rooms close by each other such as two bedrooms. The two rooms should be situated such that it is easy to move quickly from one room to the next room. Set one hide in each room.
- Each room is to be run SEPARATELY as its own search, starting the dog at a start line for each search.
- Age the hides for at least 15 minutes.
- Search the first room, reward, say “finish” and then immediately go to the next room.
- Search the second room, reward, say “finish”, and party with your dog!
Step 2: Patterning Multiple Interior Hides in a Row
Using the same approach as we did for containers, we place multiple hides in an interior area. Use four chairs or objects placed in a row. Make it easy for your dog at first by making the hide visible or in another easy location.
Driving to the Next Hide. The goal is for the dog to leave the hide easily and drive off from the hide they just found to the next hide. Initially you can step off toward the next hide to encourage your dog to continue searching. Once your dog shows understanding by moving off to the next hide, you can wait for your dog to "cast" off on its own like we did with the container drill. This step is necessary because it’s important for the dog to learn we will not lead them on where to go next in the search area.
Picking Up the Hide. Since multiple hides are a new skill for interior searches, dogs can get very sticky at a hide so we will pick up each hide as your dog finds the hides. You will want to pick it up after rewarding your dog and quickly put it into a non-treat pocket and cue your dog to find another.
Note: Do not hold the hide in your hand or place it somewhere in the search area.
Step 3: Intermixing Hot and Cold Objects
Next, set up a search with two hides, adding blank objects between the hides. The set-up would be similar to one of the following:
- cold chair, hot chair, cold chair, hot chair, cold chair
- hot chair, cold chair, hot chair, cold chair.
Step 4: Large area two hide search
If your dog has been successful with the previous search setups, you can move on to a larger area two hide search.
- Use a large area and place two hides with different odours as far apart as you can. One nose height and one lower. These hides can be placed anywhere in the interior as long as it is not higher than nose level.
- Bring your dog into the search area, letting them work off leash.
- After finding the first hide, reward generously, PICK UP THE HIDE AND PUT IT IN A POCKET and then say your cue to keep searching, for example "ok, find another". After finding the first hide but before cuing the dog to find the next hide you may do a mini start line such as holding your dog's collar or harness as if you are at the beginning of a search. You'll wean off this quickly.
- Feed generously at the second hide. No proofing or waiting for more duration. Get that reward in for a job well done!
Step 5: Leaving found hides in place
After about a week of picking up your multiple hides, you can start leaving the hides in place. Be ready to follow the process of re-cueing your dog to find another if they get sticky after being paid or if they return to a found hide. Give them a chance to problem solve without helping them to move off. If they are stuck, go ahead and pick up the hide and put it in your pocket. Soon they will start to learn that after a hide is paid, it won’t be reinforced if they go back.
Trouble Shooting
What if my dog misses one or more of the hides?
- Let the hide go. It’s ok. They don't have to find all the hides. Do not help them find it.
- Give your dog a short break. Later, place all the hides again and retry.
What if my dog won't leave the found hide after being rewarded?
- Same as above. Do not reward the dog again.
- Also, don’t praise them as that can encourage them to stay or go back to found hides/previous hide areas.
- Feed less at the first hide and more on the last one.
What if my dog goes back to a found hide (or where the previous hide was picked up)?
- DO NOT REWARD again.
- Simply say your cue to find another/keep searching.
- If needed, step off to help them move on to the next hide. This will be something you want to wean off quickly.
Training Points
- Keep the hide placements easy when setting multiple hides. There will be lots of time to work on more challenging multiple hide scenarios later.
- When you search multiple hides, let your dog make the decision on which hide they will hunt first.
- See if you can tell when your dog is caught between the two scent cones. Make note if your dog is wanting to go back to a found hide.
- Start practicing your FINISH call after finding the LAST hide.
- Follow a multiple hide search with a simple single hide search!
- At this point in training, continue to use two different odours to make the scent picture as clear as possible to your dog. Later, we will practice multiple hides with the same odour.
