Structure for our Nose Work Classes – 3 sets of six week-classes for our Foundation Classes. Classes are about 90 minutes.
Intro to K9 Nose Work – figure out your dog’s searching style. Explore his strengths and weaknesses while he searches for a primary reward (generally food).
Introduction to Odor – teach your dog to find the birch odor to earn the reward!
Introduction to Vehicles and Exteriors, and Handler Discrimination – increase the complexity and the level of distractions. Find the birch, anise and clove, (not the kitty, the bird, or the candy bar wrapper) in the park, or hidden on a car. Yes – they will ignore big distractions. We also introduce AKC Handler Discrimination where the dog finds YOUR scent!
After the three Foundation Classes, above, the dog and handler team can go on to “Continuing Nose Work” classes. We have classes mornings, evenings and on weekends. You will be on a “punch card” system and can attend according to your schedule.
FAQ
Will Nose Work make my dog a worse sniffer?
No, nose sports provide a healthy outlet for your dog’s desire to sniff.
Will Nose Work teach my dog to jump on counter or rummage about looking for odor?
No, we are careful to use the food, at the beginning, in very controlled ways to avoid this. Later, when the dogs are on odor, equipment such as a harness, and a Search Cue, sets the stage for searching. Dogs will be taught to know when they are searching.
The Concept
K9 Nose Work and AKC Scent Work are modeled after the training and search methods of drug and explosive detection dogs. It is designed as a class activity and as a competitive sport.
No obedience skills are required.
There are two main organizations which provide events for competition:
1. K9 Nose Work – National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW)
In the sport of K9 Nose Work the dog and handler team search four elements in a trial. The team must be qualify in all 4 elements to title.
Interior Search
Exterior Search
Vehicles
Containers
At NW1 competition the target odor is birch. NW2 and NW3 add new odors, and increase the complexity of the search. The four basic search elements remain the same.
It is a basic tenet in all K9 Nose Work activities that dogs are kept apart. This allows all dogs to enjoy the sport. Dogs are not in the search area at the same time. They do not pass through doorways at the same time. They are crated or, weather permitting, in their vehicles when waiting to work.
By allowing the dog to work without other dogs present, we develop focus and confidence. Our classes follow this philosophy.
- An ORT (Odor Recognition Test) is required as prerequisite for Trial. The ORT is a box drill. Your dog must indicate which box out of 12 boxes has the birch odor in it. Our second set of classes will prepare your dog for the ORT.
- K9 Nose Work also has “Element Trials”. An ORT is required for these, too.
- Handlers must be members of NACSW and renew annually. Dogs are enrolled for life.
Our students have done very well in K9 NW competitions. It is a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. You learn by watching other dogs run, too. Many of the students have become good friends.
For more information see www.NACSW.net or visit my website www.gooddogdgotraining.com
2. AKC Scent Work
- AKC Scent Work trials will often have dogs lined up in sight of each other. Dogs will work alone.
- However, unlike NACSW, AKC Scent Work is NOT designed to accommodation dogs who are fearful or reactive to other dogs.
- Dogs must be AKC registered to compete. AKC has a program for registering mixed breeds and purebred dogs without registration papers.
AKC Scent Work has 2 Divisions:
Odor Division
The dogs search 4 Elements:
Containers
Interiors
Exteriors
Buried Hides
- There is no requirement for a “pretest” to enter a trial.
- All AKC trials are entered by each ”element”, individually.
AKC Handler Discrimination Division
- We will teach your dog to find your scent.
For information on AKC Scent Work visit www.akc.org/scentwork