Truly Seeing the Dog

Truly Seeing the Dog

From All About Scent Work Podcast by Scent Work University

February 17, 2026 · 30 min · Episode 141

About this episode

This episode discusses the importance of understanding dog communication during scent work and everyday life.

The one skill that torments many Scent Work teams is the handler's ability to correctly read their dog. There is so much on the line! Getting a "No" when training is bad enough but hearing the dreaded “No” at a trial, that is so much worse! It can feel as though the floor is collapsing out from under you. Thus, it makes sense that people clamor for a definitive neon sign from their dog, “HIDE IS HERE, CALL IT!” However, this approach is limiting. We are missing a far more intricate picture our dogs are trying to paint for us when we are only obsessed about the hide location. In this episode, we talk about why taking the time to truly learn what our dogs are communicating throughout the entirety of the search, as well as in day-to-day life, is not only worthwhile but fun to do! Speaker Dianna L. Santos RECOMMENDED RESOURCES Who’s Watching Who? Understand the Dog’s Changes of Behaviors (COBs) Webinar with Khara Schuetzner Language of Nose Work: Reading Your Dog Webinar with Michael and Natalie McManus Displacement Sniffing and Other Stress Behaviors Webinar with Sue Sternberg P for Pronounced or Pee? Webinar with Sue Sternberg Canine Body Behavior and Scent Work for Handlers…

People in this episode

Host: Dianna L. Santos

Topics covered

  • dog training
  • scent work
  • handler-dog communication
  • behavioral understanding
  • search techniques

Keywords

  • scent work
  • dog training
  • handler communication
  • behavior changes
  • search techniques

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Scent Work University, Khara Schuetzner, Michael and Natalie McManus, Sue Sternberg

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