Join the Kevin Sheldahl Scent Work Seminar, Nov 8–10, 2025 in Menomonie, WI, hosted by Leerburg. Learn the foundations of detection training from one of the nation’s top experts. This 3-day workshop covers odor recognition, indication, alert, and search foundations for all detection disciplines. First 10 people to register can bring their dog.

Kevin is a retired SW Sheriff’s Department Deputy with four decades of detection training experience, a Teaching Judge, American Schutzhund Judge, and seasoned instructor in scent work, tracking, and patrol.

New Video: Basic Obedience for Adult Dogs Bundle

In this video, Ed explains what's included in the Basic Obedience for Adult Dogs Bundle. Bringing an adult dog into your home and need help getting started with training? This course bundle is designed for dog owners who want to build reliable obedience and create a better relationship with their dog—no matter their age or background.

It includes four of our most essential online obedience courses for adult dogs—plus a practical slip lead to help you apply what you learn right away.

If I allow my 8 month old dog to sniff on walks I'm afraid she won't want to focus on me during training sessions. Can you help?

I have an 8 month old working line GSD that I would like to do agility with. We are working on loose leash walking and engagement games. And she is smart as a whip!

I would like to take her for longline sniffs walks but am afraid she will not want to focus on me if I allow her to just do her own thing on the longline. I have numerous dvd's from Leerburg so if the answer is in a dvd would you point me in the right direction?

I should also add that I am 76 years old and have always had GSD's over the years as pets or farm dogs but never needed the engagement and focus required for a sport dog.

Cindy's Answer

I always allow my dogs to sniff on walks, it's a vital activity that stimulates them in a way that we can't. I work on engagement in my regular training sessions and through those sessions, my dogs learn our communication system. When I say "done" or "OK" they are free to sniff and disengage from me. When I say "ready" they know it's time to pay attention. I think in the Come When Called course you'll see me walking my GSD Art and allowing him to do what he wants and then using his name to get him re-engaged with me.

If you have Power of Training Dogs with Food (Michael Ellis) or Training Dogs with Food Rewards (newer release with Ed) that's the foundation I do with all my pups and young dogs.

I think your dog will be a happier working partner if you let her sniff and do a bit of exploring on the long line first and then do your training sessions after or intermittently sprinkle some quick engagement into the long line walks.