Every dog trainer has pet peeves. One of mine is collecting scent articles. Almost everywhere that I have trained I see handlers producing prepackaged scent articles and handing them to other handlers when they go out to lay a trail.

I say VOTE NO to prepackaged scent articles.

If you work a scent discriminatory dog and utilize scent articles in your training process and on actual search missions, then you as a handler need to document that you have successfully chosen, collected and preserved scent articles for use by your dog. You are doing yourself a HUGE disservice by having you victim’s scent article handed to you, prepackaged in a baggie.

We all know that if wrong decisions are made in reference to a scent article and an article is used that is contaminated or lacks scent, the dog will be unsuccessful. It is my contention that all handlers should practice choosing and collecting scent articles. It’s a learning experience. Therefore, at my seminars and in my training I do everything possible to avoid the use of prepackaged scent articles. Instead, each handler is escorted to the vehicle of the handler who is acting as their victim and we discuss all of the items that could be utilized as scent articles. From there, the handler picks his article and properly collects it by utilizing the baggie as a glove and picking up the article and storing it within 

My next pet peeve in relation to scent articles is chain of custody. There is a philosophy that dogs do not need to be rescented. I can adamantly attest to the lack of validity in that statement. There are many occasions in which resenting would be of tactical advantage. Therefore, the scent article needs to be carried by the handler while on the search.  Further, that scent article is a piece of evidence. The handler who carelessly casts it on the ground does not maintain the proper chain of custody for that evidence. And once another individual touches the bag or article, it becomes contaminated. So, when utilizing a scent article, present it to your dog and then reseal the bag and place it in a uniform pocket. Keep control of the item until it is no longer needed.

Taking the opportunity to hone your skills as a handler by selecting and packaging your own scent article will give you opportunity to learn the most important part of being able to reliably run a scent trail; that is starting with an excellent scent article.

by Jonni Joyce