Jackie is doing a great job playing containers and interiors. Sometimes I hide one odor, sometimes three, sometimes two, sometimes four. Don't over-hide; in other words don't hide every scent every time.
While learning foundation searches, set odors further apart so each odor source is distinct to the dog. Vary the location, number, and how far off the floor for every hide, so that you're not just placing the hides only on the floor. Foundation training hides are placed two feet above the ground or lower. Chairs are a great place to set foundation hides.
It's a good idea to do two to three hides per week. It's acceptable to search every day for periods of time, such as a month-long period, while practicing for an upcoming trial.
Especially while training solid nose holds at source, have treats in your hand during the search, ready to reward as soon as the dog alerts the hide so you are reinforcing the nose hold.
This video clip shows Jackie in two interior searches: one in my spouse's office and one at our training center. While reviewing the office clip, I realized I set the hide close to a bench made of solid cypress. The hide I set was birch, and Jackie is also trained to alert for cypress. Is that why she was so interested in the bench at first, because it's made entirely of cypress?
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