Scent training - day 1
We got lucky and were able to make 3 samples with low blood sugar scent (at 56 mg/dl). To make samples, when Kirez was low I gave him cotton swabs to chew on, and when they were completely soaked with saliva, we put them in double Ziploc bags, marked with date and BG number, and then froze. Yesterday I thawed one of the samples and today we started.
When Mischka was out of the room I put the sample in a tiny plastic container, made two little holes in the lid and put it on the floor. Then I called Mischka and of course when she came to the room she was interested in the new object, so she went to it and sniffed all over it. We threw a little party about it, danced around Mischka, gave her treats, repeating constantly 'good low, good low'.
Then I asked her 'what is it?' pointing to the container again, and again she sniffed at it and even tried to lick the holes (which makes me hopeful that she actually smells something in there and not just sniffing at new plastic thingy), and again she got treats and lots of love.
We repeated this routine several more time over the time of the day. At the moment the goal is pretty simple - get her to make a connection between low BG smell and treats and praises.
I am reading the forum and trying to get as much information as possible about this kind of training. It's fun, but it's not easy and there are so many nuances! But we are determined to succeed :)
Note on obedience training: it's moving slowly, but it's moving. I watch youtube videos, read books and forums to get ideas of how to train her, and we try to implement it as much as possible. We are lucky that Mischka has very calm disposition and she actually likes being told what to do. And we found good treats for her that she really enjoys. I am very hopeful about this whole thing!
When Mischka was out of the room I put the sample in a tiny plastic container, made two little holes in the lid and put it on the floor. Then I called Mischka and of course when she came to the room she was interested in the new object, so she went to it and sniffed all over it. We threw a little party about it, danced around Mischka, gave her treats, repeating constantly 'good low, good low'.
Then I asked her 'what is it?' pointing to the container again, and again she sniffed at it and even tried to lick the holes (which makes me hopeful that she actually smells something in there and not just sniffing at new plastic thingy), and again she got treats and lots of love.
We repeated this routine several more time over the time of the day. At the moment the goal is pretty simple - get her to make a connection between low BG smell and treats and praises.
I am reading the forum and trying to get as much information as possible about this kind of training. It's fun, but it's not easy and there are so many nuances! But we are determined to succeed :)
Note on obedience training: it's moving slowly, but it's moving. I watch youtube videos, read books and forums to get ideas of how to train her, and we try to implement it as much as possible. We are lucky that Mischka has very calm disposition and she actually likes being told what to do. And we found good treats for her that she really enjoys. I am very hopeful about this whole thing!