Creation of HP/HC (Scott Smith, K9 Service Dogs of Virginia)
- The scent sample is placed in 3 oz of distilled water, shaken and left for 15 min
- The distilled water is then sprayed onto new gauze (or cotton) pads which will be double bagged and frozen.
- The original sample may then be removed from the distilled water and used for training.
- Excess liquid may be extracted from the HP by placing wet sample between 2 spoons and pressing
- Reserve the excess water
Re: the spritzer used for creating HC
I've been making samples once a month. I buy a cheap spray bottle and run it though the dishwasher twice with no soap. Then I rinse the inside of the bottle with distilled water a couple of times, put the top on and spray a few times. After I've made the samples, I throw it out. (SS)
NOTE: For our testing purposes, we hydrated using 2 oz of distilled water instead of 3 oz, as Scott suggests.
Scott hydration demo:
NOTE: For our testing purposes, we hydrated using 2 oz of distilled water instead of 3 oz, as Scott suggests.
Scott hydration demo:
I can tell you that in my testing the dogs seem to notice a difference
ReplyDeleteat the 5/6/7 day mark. The samples I use are kept at room temp once
thawed.
I typically will use a scent sample at least 5 training sessions a
day. It can go up to about twice that sometimes.
Since I'm working with multiple dogs it's presented any number of ways
throughout the day. Sometimes in a container, sometimes by hand and
sometimes hidden on my body.
When testing scent samples I use dogs who consistently alert when a
target odor is hidden on someones body. When I see confusion or no
alerting from an experienced dog, I question the sample, if most of
the other variables have stayed the same.
Nothing scientific just notes from the field!
scott
I throw samples out after 30 days. I've seen samples be unproductive after being frozen close to 2 months.
ReplyDeleteScott, would you please look at the video above and see what we are doing differently than your method?
DeleteI do a couple of things differently. I use 2 X 2 gauze pads and I don't extract excess water from the HC. I extract excess water from the HP only, if I'm going to use it.
ReplyDeleteAlso I don't use samples older than 30 days
Do you spray the gauze pad until it is dripping wet? Freeze each HC separately?
DeleteYes, I spray the HC until completely saturated and bag each separately. Then they all go into a ziplock freezer bag. I should receive some samples tomorrow and will try to film the process for you.
ReplyDelete
DeleteWhen you are hydrating, do you leave the HP in the sprayer bottle?
Yes... and I shake it again before making HC's.
ReplyDelete