"Psyche" is one of the foundation games I learned from the early Fenzi nosework classes. This game helps the dog learn to ignore the handler's behavior (which is often erratic and just plain strange at a trial) and just work to find the odor source. Some dogs are really good at tuning out their handler, and some dogs need to play this game often for their whole career. I'm looking at you, Tervuren. 😁😁😁😁
Start the game with four electrical boxes, set about 3 feet apart. You can set them in a line or a square. One box is hot, the rest are blank. Tell the dog to search, and go stand near a BLANK box. Point your feet at it, stare intently at the blank box. If your dog goes to the odor box, treat and praise lavishly! Hooray! You made the right choice!
If your dog indicates the blank box, laugh and tell your dog how silly he is. DON'T PAY! Start the exercise again, and this time back off the blank box a little and move the odor box a little closer.
https://youtu.be/KHM_qApW03Q?si=07G3CR1ua9xunXJs
Make this more challenging by adding more boxes, changing to different boxes (ORT boxes, tool boxes, etc) and faking a box that's far from the odor box. If you tap a blank box will the dog go find the odor box?
https://youtu.be/-c0AojxrRBM?si=G46z9qtbxJ_8Kmpa
Next, play Psyche in other elements. Set an easy hide, then try to convince your dog that it's SOMEWHERE else in the area.
https://youtu.be/9g0EO6XfeBs?si=AguBIf3n_-xzk_CK
One of my favorite games to play in class is "Picnic Table Psyche." I put a hide in a crack near a table. The table doesn't have any hides. Can you set twelve blank containers out, and have a hide on a nearby chair?
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