Laurie Schlossnagle | One of AKC’s First Judges, C-WAGS Pioneer

Episode SummaryLaurie Schlossnagle helped build C-WAGS scent work and went on to judge the very first AKC Scent Work trial. In this conversation, she shares how she thinks through level-appropriate searches, why stable odor matters more than difficulty, and what handlers often overlook when competing. Laurie also reveals the personal story behind her signature distractor, and what it symbolizes beyond adding challenge.About the GuestLaurie Schlossnagle is a judge for AKC, UKC, and C-WAGS scent work, a long-time competitor, and a trainer at Side by Side Dog Training. She has been instrumental in creating scent work opportunities across organizations and continues to judge, teach, and compete.Key Insights from the EpisodeFair judging starts with level-appropriate challenges, not tricks.Stable odor is the first test: if odor won’t stay available, the search isn’t fair.In upper levels, dogs usually know the odor picture, handling becomes the hard part.Long lines are communication tools, and teams must practice them.AKC, UKC, and C-WAGS each give dogs different “odor pictures” and environments and different competitive experiencesJudges sometimes rerun classes when fairness is compromised, and they’re looking for it.Resources MentionedSide by Side Dog Training — https://sidebysidedogtraining.comFacebook: Side by Side Dog TrainingInstagram: @sidebysidescEpisode Highlights00:59 Scot’s first Q was under Laurie03:42 Laurie’s philosophy for setting hides05:06 How environment shapes “level appropriate” searches08:37 Why higher levels are mostly about handling11:02 Long-line advice for trialing and training15:34 What’s different across AKC, UKC, and C-WAGS17:41 Why C-WAGS was created19:20 Laurie judged the very first AKC trial23:23 When buried was literally drilled into the ground27:12 A hidden food distractor forces a rerun30:28 Seven Questions33:12 Story behind Laurie’s signature distractorThanks for listening to Alert! Scent Work.Subscribe to the NewsletterFollow along and join the conversation:FacebookInstagram