• Nose Work •

Level 1: Nose Work Games
Level 2: Intro to Odor
Level 3: Advanced Odor

Nose Work classes work on an exciting concept that allows any level participant to join any class. Each class is a mixed group of different levels of experience which allows everyone to learn from each other plus there is less waiting to begin a class. Every search is personalized to the skill level of your dog so your dog always receives the challeges he or she is ready for. You can register whether you are new to Nose Work or you have taken one or more Nose Work classes and have a more experienced dog! Class size is limited to 6 dogs so don't wait to register to secure your spot in this amazing class.

Fee: $140 for the 6-week class (one hour per week).

Before registering please check out the class guidelines, below.

Upcoming Classes (all levels are in each class):

--Begins Monday, July 15, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. Register!
(Ends August 26. No class on July 22nd)

Continuing classes:

--Monday, May 20, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.
(Ends July 1st)

--Monday, April 8, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.
(Ends May 13th)


More Info about Level I

More Info about Level II

More Info about Level III

The Nose Knows!

Dogs have an amazing sense of smell and a natural desire to sniff, search and hunt. The sport of K9 Nose Work is designed to develop your dog’s natural scenting abilities by using their desire to hunt and their love of toys, food and exercise. It’s a great way for your dog to have fun, build confidence, and burn lots of mental and physical energy. In this class we take your dog’s instinctual skill and teach them to use it to play games with their noses!

Your dog's nose is about 100 times more sensitive than your own. A dog can detect 1 teaspoon of sugar in the water it would take to fill two Olympic sized swimming pools. Your dog is built to sniff. And what happens in your dog's brain may be even more important. It's here that dogs are able to discriminate between smells and components of smells, which can be further enhanced through training.

This is a sport suitable for just about any dog!

Just about any person and any dog can do Nose Work! The art and practice of nose work is open to dogs of all shapes, sizes and ages, even young puppies and older, senior dogs. It has made basic search dog skills available to companion dogs, creating a new sport arena for dog enthusiasts. Not only has it proven to be a great activity for all types of dogs, but it is one of the most accessible activities for the widest variety of dog handlers regardless of previous training experience. No previous obedience work is required.

This is a great outlet for reactive dogs - dogs who don't usually do well in a traditional obedience class because of the close proximity to other dogs. Each Nose Work search is done without any other dogs present. As long as the dog isn't aggressive toward humans (and not a resource guarder), he's probably a good candidate for Nose Work Games.

Nose Work may be started with young puppies (12 weeks and older). Puppies are the best instructors – expose them and watch them, they are all natural. It is also appropriate for dogs of all ages including older dogs and those whose physical health prevents them from doing more rigorous sports such as agility.

Why Do Nose Work?

• Provides mental and physical energy burn

• Builds relationship between handler and dog

• Confidence builder for the dog

• Any human can teach it to their dogs.

• Any dog with a nose can learn it.

• NO prerequisites except dog must have a nose!

• The most amazing enrichment for your dog.

• Dogs LOVE to do this.

• You can do this work anywhere in any weather.

• Dogs get very satisfied and quite tired doing Nose Work.

• It’s Fun!

More Info: Read the Nose Work article from Bark Magazine for a nice overview of the sport.

Instructor: Cheryl Vanvoorhies

Course fee : $140.00 (an hour a week for 6 classes)

What to bring to class : Click Here

The Lucky Dog Nose Work Class Guidelines

• Dogs in class cannot be resource guarders (protect toys or treats by growling or snapping).

• One dog works at a time.

• Dog socialization is limited (crated between runs- don't forget to bring yours!).

• Searches are individualized for each dog. Dogs can search for their favorite toy or treat.

• Dog-dog interaction is not an issue because all dogs are kept separate from each other and search individually when it is their turn, which allows dog-reactive dogs to participate. Generally, as time goes on, these dogs may become less dog-reactive.

• People-reactive dogs are not allowed in class for safety reasons. If your dog lunges, growls or snaps at other people, this is not the class for you.

• Dogs in class cannot be resource guarders (protective of toys or treats by growling or snapping if someone comes near).

• Crate time: Dogs rest in crates or pens when not working. This allows them to focus, reflect and relax. (You must bring a crate to class. See more info below about exceptions.)

• Weekly classes are 1 hour long; the course is 6 classes.

• Class maximum: 6 dogs

PLEASE READ: Important note about crating: You must be able to provide a crate for your dog and bring it to class each week. Crates keep the dogs safe and secure between their times to search and allows them quiet time to process what they are learning. Soft sided crates are the easiest to transport. If you would like a handout on crate training, please let us know!

If your dog absolutely cannot be crated but can be tied and stay calm, we have one space in which to do so. Or, during cool weather, you may keep your dog in your car between searches.

What is the difference between Level I, Level II, and Level III?

Level I: Nose Work Games
(We are currently combining all levels into each class)

In this innovative class you will teach your dog to find something specific. For example, in the beginning, he will learn to find a bit of food or a toy in a cardboard box among 12-15 other boxes! Then, he will search for the scent of the toy/treat among household items, increasing difficulty as we go and as your dog's confidence builds. Some ways we make the finds more challenging include closing the flaps on the boxes, turning them upside down, hiding the box or household item inside of other items, and raise the elevation. Later the search is taken outdoors for a new experience for your dog.

Guidelines for class: Open to all ages and breeds. No prior training is necessary. Dog must be people-friendly and not a resource guarder (protective of treats or toys). Your dog must be crate trained (and you must bring a crate to class).

Level II: Nose Work: Intro to Odor
(We are currently combining all levels into each class)

The dog is taught to search for a unique and precise odor (birch to begin) rather than just food. The dog learns to search for this odor and to ignore any other scents. The dog will learn to search in all kinds of environments for his primary reward, building strength in the search and having fun all the while. When odor is introduced, the dog has built confidence in searching and will have the endurance and desire to problem-solve because the hunting skill will have been built previously in Nose Work Games. In Intro to Odor the hides are made more challenging and additional environments and objects are added including an exterior vehicle search.

Guidelines for class: Nose Work Games or a similar class or working seminar elsewhere. Dog must be people-friendly and not a resource guarder (protective of treats or toys). Your dog must be crate trained (and you must bring a crate to class).

Level III: Nose Work: Advanced Odor

Continuing where Level II left off, the searches become more challenging and an additional odor (anise) or two (maybe cloves) will be added.

Prerequisite for Level III: Advanced Odor: Level II: Intro to Odor, or a similar class or working seminar elsewhere. Dog must be people-friendly and not a resource guarder (protective of treats or toys). Your dog must be crate trained (and you must bring a crate to class).

Secure Online Signup