Classical conditioning plays a crucial role in the development of effective scent detection performance in dogs, yet it is often overshadowed by a focus on operant conditioning in training methodologies. This webinar explores the different ways classical conditioning contributes to a dog’s ability to engage in nosework with confidence, motivation, and precision. By examining the underlying neuroscience, this session provides a deeper understanding the multitude of associations that influence a dogs’ learning and performance in scent detection. Scent work is a unique discipline in which dogs utilise their natural ability relying on their innate olfactory capabilities to navigate and locate target odors. While operant conditioning is widely focussed on to reinforce desired behaviors, classical conditioning is fundamental in shaping the dog’s intrinsic drive to search efficiently. Classical conditioning influences emotional responses, expectation formation, and the overall reinforcement history that guides a dog’s approach to scent detection. This webinar, presented by Dr Kathy Murphy, a clinical-academic veterinarian and neuroscientist, delves into the fundamental principles of classical conditioning and its impact on nosework. Dr Murphy earned a PhD in behavioral neuroscience from the University of Oxford and has extensive experience in canine behaviour and training. With her husband, a qualified and experienced scent work instructor, she regularly provides camps, seminars and webinars on topics related to competition scent work and the use of olfactory activities to enhance the wellbeing of dogs. This webinar highlights how early conditioning can shape long-term motivation and engagement in scent detection tasks. The discussion also addresses how classical conditioning can be leveraged to enhance learning outcomes and maintain a dog’s independence and problem-solving abilities. Another important topic covered in this webinar is the potential pitfalls associated with misapplied operant conditioning, particularly when it is used in a way that conflicts with the dog’s intrinsic motivation. When handlers place excessive emphasis on structured reinforcement schedules or external cues, they may inadvertently diminish the dog’s autonomy and fluidity in scent detection and paradoxically reduce motivation. Understanding how classical conditioning underpins a dog’s ability to engage in a task with intrinsic motivation allows trainers to create more effective and sustainable training methodologies, utilising a range of tools. The webinar also discusses practical applications of classical conditioning in real-world scent detection training. This includes strategies for introducing and pairing odor, reinforcing search behaviors, and managing emotional responses to environmental challenges. By recognizing the breadth of associative learning, trainers can develop more adaptable and resilient dogs who are better equipped to handle novel search scenarios. By the end of the webinar, participants will have a comprehensive understanding of how classical conditioning influences a dog’s performance in scent work. They will gain insights into the role of associative and non-associative learning in building engagement, the necessity of balancing different training methodologies, and the long-term impact of early conditioning on performance. This discussion provides a valuable framework for trainers, handlers, and behavior professionals seeking to refine their approach to nosework and optimize the learning experience for their canine partners.

Sponsor:NACSW/K9 Nose Work Education Division
Speaker(s):**Dr Kathy Murphy, BVetMed, DPhil, CVA, CLAS, MRCVS

Contact: Julie Riekes
 Email: registrations@k9nosework.com
 Web: https://k9nosework.com/