Putting the Mental Game to Work: Applying Mental Management® Techniques to Performance with Teah And
*Recommended to be paired with Introducing Appropriate Stressors with Bridget Beardsley.
Imagine stepping into a Nose Work trial with control over your thoughts—rather than being at the mercy of doubt, fear, or distraction. Instead of those familiar “what ifs” creeping in before or during a search, you’re able to choose thoughts that support confidence and clarity.
This session focuses on practical Mental Management® techniques you can use before, during, and after each search. Learn how to take ownership of your internal dialogue so you can stay mentally steady, focused, and ready to perform—giving yourself the best possible chance to be the handler your dog needs on trial day.
Resilience by Design: Using Tolerable Stressors in Nose Work Training with Bridget Beardsley
*Recommended to be paired with Mental Management with Teah Anders
Trials are unpredictable—but your training doesn’t have to be. This session focuses on how strategic exposure to distraction and challenge can create dogs who search with confidence and reliability no matter the environment. We’ll look at how factors like noise, unusual footing, competing odors, handler influence, and tight or open spaces impact performance—and how to introduce these elements in ways that build resilience rather than stress. This session is designed for competitors who want dogs that can adapt, stay engaged, and keep working when conditions aren’t ideal.
Short Sniffs with Chris Mason
*Recommended to be paired with Scent Theory with Alena Heyer
Ready to level up your hide-setting game? In this interactive session, Chris Mason will guide you through the art of setting hides with purpose—from foundational setups to advanced challenges that prep your team for the highest levels of competition.
Bring your questions! You’ll learn not just how to set hides, but why certain choices build specific skills, confidence, and problem-solving ability in your dog.
Best of all, Chris will introduce you to her powerful “Short Sniffs” concept: fast, focused searches in familiar spaces that reinforce everything from first indications to Summit-level sourcing. Whether you're training alone or with a group, this approach helps you get the most out of every hide.
Reading the Wind: Odor Behavior and Hide Strategy in Nose Work with Alena Asher
*Recommended to be paired with Short Sniffs with Chris Mason
Explore how scent theory applies specifically to nose work, with a focus on how odor moves through different environments and how that should inform hide placement. We’ll discuss key environmental and dog-driven factors that impact how odor is perceived, sourced, and worked in the search area. The goal is to help handlers set more intentional, effective training scenarios based on real-world scent behavior.
Close Encounters: Navigating Close Proximity Hides and Converging Odor with Silke Wittig
*Recommended to be paired with Coverage drills for Acclimation, Expansion, and Fun! with Holly Bushard
Close proximity hides can blur odor picture clarity for both dog and handler. They are are rarely just “harder hides”, but create unique odor dynamics that challenge sourcing and commitment. From training setups to trial searches, close proximity hides require thoughtful handling and clear criteria.
This presentation addresses the intricacies of close proximity hides and converging odor, training approaches that build confidence and clarity, and discusses how handlers can support effective problem-solving in these complex odor pictures without over-handling.
Coverage drills for Acclimation, Expansion, and Fun! with Holly Bushard
*Recommended to be paired with Close Encounters: Navigating Close Proximity Hides and Converging Odor with Silke Wittig
Join Holly for an in-depth conversation about detailed ways to focus on acclimation and complete coverage of search areas. To be their very best, our performance partners need to feel secure and optimistic in new space. They must always be comfortable and enthusiastic about moving though the different zones of a search.
This session will be a deep-dive into Holly’s Greatest Hits on acclimation and expansion in new search areas. Having a thought-out plan for executing cool exercises facilitates great training. You will loving having fresh new tools for your collection.