K9 Nose Work: A new and rapidly growing dog sport
I’m now teaching “K9 Nose Work.” The six-week class is $140.
For information about classes in “Stay Pet Hotel” in North Portland; “PetUtopia” in Beaverton; “Longview Labor Union” in Longview; other training locations in Vancouver/Ridgefield . . .
click here to ask a question/submit a contact form to find out more and indicate your interested in K9 Nose Work Classes.
Click here to view/print the K9 Nose Work Class Schedule.
Note: CNWI [Certified Nose Work Instructor]: There is currently just one CNWI each in the states of WA and OR. I am one of several people that are in training to become certified. I have been encouraged by my mentors to get started teaching classes, and this is part of the process to become fully certified.
What is K9 Nose Work?
In a nutshell, K9 Nose Work is a new dog sport that allows your dog to use his natural ability to detect scent and determine it’s source. They learn to find a novel scent anywhere in a room, a field, and a car search. There is a competition program for those who desire, with multiple levels of trialling.
Just about any dog can do K9 Nose Work
Puppies, old dogs, and all in between, and any breed or mix. Even dog reactive dogs can play, because only one dog at a time is working both in classes, training, and trialing. In fact, people all across the country are noting how the focus of scent detection work is helping their reactive dogs ignore the environment, remaining on task, doing their scenting job. It’s a great addition to a behavior modification program for reactive dogs.
In training classes the handlers learn to set up situations so that the dog is first increasing his hunt drive, learning to find the food reward or a vary loved toy, in a simple cardboard box, one of several set up to be available to the dog. They start searching when asked with a verbal cue such as “find it”.
Once the hunt drive is established, the next step the handlers learn is to associate the scent with the reward the dog gets. As training progresses, searches get more difficult and less box oriented, and the reward is given after the scent is found. Boxes do remain the foundation of this sport and are even part of the competition.
You can give the gift of K9 Nose Work to your dog
This great new sport is fashioned after the training and work of professional detection dogs. Any dog of any age, breed, size or physical ability can do it. And even dogs who don’t do well in multiple dog settings are welcome. Dogs always work one at a time in training as well as trials and are always on leash unless the area is fenced.
It is the rare dog that doesn’t fall in love with and benefit from K9 Nose Work
The sport holds special gifts for dogs which lack task or handler focus, are shy or overly reactive around other dogs and/or people, and dogs convalescing from medical issues. Dogs with social or situational anxiety that precludes them from joining typical group training classes and dogs with hearing or sight impairments are also great canadates for K9 Nose Work. Retired service, competition, conformation, or working dogs in need of a ‘job’ can be kept busy and happy doing K9 Nose Work. And the exhaustive quality of this sport for the active and overly active dog can’t be beat.
K9 Nose Work class descriptions
‘Try It” is a one time, 1.5 hour class that is structured just like the first class of a 6 week session. It gives you a chance to see and try what K9 Nose Work is all about. The cost is $20. Pre-registration is required and you will be given an info sheet with what to bring. It’s very important that you look at that before class in-order to insure a great session.
“Intro to Nose Work” is a 6 week class that meets for 1.5 hours each week. This is the first level class where we are building hunt drive and focus through setting up situations where the dog is self rewarding. The cost is $120 to $140 depending on where you are enrolled. Pre-registration is required and you will be given an info sheet with what to bring. It’s very important that you look at that before class in-order to insure a great session.
“Intro to Odor” is a 6 week class that meets for 1.5 hours each week. This class introduces the first odor in the K9 Nose Work system. By the end of the session you will be well on your way to a dog that can find a novel scent for a reward. This class is for teams that have completed the 6 week Intro to Nose Work class with either a CNWI or a trainer who is in the process of training to become a CNWI.
For more info on K9 Nose Work in general, check out the following websites:
Intro Canine Nosework Class at PetUtopia
K9 Nose Work (program originator’s website)
Nation Association of Canine Scent Work
