Chihuahua have a big nose and have good predisposition for tracking, trailing and scent discriminations. They are curious by nature and have a naturally instinct to follow smells. So if they are well trained they become very focused in all scent work.
We like to train our Chihuahua to find hidden object and person because search is a great and natural work for dogs ! Tracking is healthy for body and dog's mind. Dogs have satisfaction using their nose and are more relaxed after work. Tracking is more brain expensive than follow and bring many times a tennis ball. If you don't have many time to spend outside you can train your chihuahua to find some toy around your house. This is a great interactive job to do with dogs everywhere! So if after play with ball your dogs is excited , after scent work your dog will be calm and happy tired. I prefer trailing work and personally i don’t like to use food reward for this. I prefer a lot of praise and time to play. I use food treats mainly when I use clicker. I use clicker to start to teach the right track and to reward the good marking.

Trailing

Jack is searching, he follow both air scent and track.

Jack get his favourite reward!

Tracking

Siri wait  her owner Nina that have make a track.

Siri is ready for search.

And goes following away her owner track.

Very clear signals for dogs that mean "start to track!"

The scent work start early in age. Here you can see two puppies that find their favourite food hidden in the wood.

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