Searching for interesting smells is a good stimulus for the dog’s mind. Various search hobbies are popular with dog owners, and this can be seen in the mushroom courses at dog schools.
The dog tries to search as hard as it can with its low legs. It finds tasty blueberries that you have to stop to taste. This is forgiven for Grandma Tyyne, who is just training to be a mushroom dog.
Mushroom hunting is usually thought of as a hobby of the Italian lagotto breed. They are especially known as truffle hunters. They still do not have exclusive rights to mushrooms.
– All a dog needs is a nose. And the fact that the dog is in such condition that it can move in the forest. Dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds come, says Vetävä Oksanen, who runs mushroom courses at Koirakoulu Lahten Murre.
Mushroom courses at dog schools are in demand
The number of visitors to mushroom courses has been increasing, as dogs have become even more common as pets, and at the same time the popularity of mushroom picking has increased.
– Various smelly things are popular with dog lovers. They are a good stimulus for dogs, says Oksanen.
For example, tracking is a popular hobby in the dog world.
Nosework, on the other hand, is a new sport. The sport that originated in the USA made it to Kenneliitto in Finland a couple of years ago. In \”noseting\ the dog looks for the source of the smell and marks it to its owner.
The Kennel Association estimates that thousands of dogs in Finland already practice nose work.
So mushrooming is just one way for a dog to use its nose. Using the nose is characteristic of dogs, and on a hot day, for example, a mushroom hike can easily replace a run.
You can also teach at home
You don’t necessarily need a dog school to start dog grooming. You can start learning at home. Tuija Oksanen advises to put mushrooms in a jar. This is a good way to teach the dog to look for the smell of mushrooms.
The dog may learn to look only for human tracks if the mushrooms are already taken into the forest for the dog to find.
A strong game lure can bring bumps in the road. Then the search for mushrooms may suddenly turn into a bunny hunt, when the dog finds a more pleasant smell in the forest.
– The mushroom must be made meaningful for the dog. It must understand that we are in the forest for them. When the mushroom is found, the dog is rewarded with praise, a treat or a favorite toy, reminds dog trainer Oksanen.
And dude! Tyyne finds a couple of chanterelles and gets the relevant delicacies as a reward. However, it does not eat mushrooms.