Bucket games, using dollar store popcorn buckets with source scent hidden inside with double sided sticky tape, are a fun way for the dog to take a break from trialing or regular training and still do something fun with their nose. A bucket is a great way to reinforce solid nose holds at source.
The first game Jackie plays is a row of eight buckets, and she is allowed to search each time independently from the handler. The source is hidden in a different bucket each time, going from the first bucket, to some in the middle, back to the first, then the bucket at the end of the line, then back to the first bucket. This teaches the dog not to arbitrarily skip items, but instead teaches the dog to search every item.
The second game Jackie searches buckets in front of, behind, within, and then inside a spiral of an ex-pen fence. Finally Jackie has to alert the source placed directly ON the fence in the presence of the "decoy" bucket, after spending the session searching buckets.
Jackie learns to search independently of her handler by forging ahead on her own to search the buckets. The handler stays at the start line while the dog drives the search. The dog leaves the handler at the line and searches the buckets.
It's good to playfully engage the dog before starting by playing with the buckets: "Where is it? Ready? Is it here?"
Bucket games are a fun way to add refreshing playfulness to scent work training.
Video clip of Jackie playing Bucket Games:
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