Nosework Class Descriptions

Nosework and Scentwork Classes

Dogs have a sense of smell that’s between 10,000 and 100,000 times more acute than humans! The sport of scentwork and nosework celebrates the joy of sniffing and asks a dog to sniff to their heart’s content; turning your dog’s favorite activity into a rewarding game. It is a terrific sport for all kinds of dogs, and is a wonderful way to build confidence in a shy dog.

In so many dog sports the handler is in control, but this isn’t true in scent work. Neither the dog nor handler knows where the target odor is hidden. The handler has to rely on the dog, and follow the dog’s nose to success. In scentwork, it is the canine who is the star of the show. The sport of scentwork is based on the work of professional detection dogs (such as drug dogs), employed by humans to detect a wide variety of scents and substances.

Introduction to Nosework
Description: Harness the power of your dog's nose in this fun, smart, contemporary twist on canine scent detection. Build handling and observational skills while teaching your dog to use his or her natural instincts to find specific odors amid distractions. This emerging sport is designed for ALL types of dogs and will provide you with an overall understanding of scent detection/discrimination, the basic concepts involved in searching for a specific odor, the use and handling of equipment and odors, as well as learning how to develop the desire to "search"

Prerequisite: Completion of Family Manners or similar class or approval by Training Director

Intro to Nosework Elements
Description: Take the next step in learning Nosework by introducing your dog to interior, exterior, and vehicle searches! Intro to Nosework Elements will also introduce the student to new odors (Anise and Clove) and will start to prepare you for your Odor Recognition Tests.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of "Introduction to Nosework" or approval by Training Director

Nosework 1 / Nosework 2 Prep
Description: Is your dog already on odor? Do you want to take the next step in the popular and growing sport of dog nosework/scentwork? This class will get you solid on all four trial elements and will help prepare you to take your Odor Recognition Test (ORT), NW1, or NW2. Gain confidence in handling and reading your dog, work all of the elements including multiple hides, inaccessible hides, and luggage. Foundational skills will be addressed.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of "Intro to Nosework Elements" or approval by Training Director

Learn more about our other classes - agility class descriptions, manners plus family dog and puppy class descriptions.