Nose Work
The world’s best-smelling dog sport
Nose work is a fun, engaging dog sport open to dogs and humans of almost any age or ability.
Your dog is a natural at finding and tracking odor. Turn that skill into a game you can play any time, anywhere!
- Burn off extra energy
- Build confidence
- Keep senior dogs active
Course Progression
Think of Nose Work as a game that gets more advanced over time. You have to learn the basics before moving on to the next level.
Intro to K9 Nose Work®
Teach your dog to systematically search an area and locate an odor source.
Intro to Odor
Using odor kits, you’ll teach your dog to search for a specific scent. Prerequisite: Intro to Nose Work.
Continuing Nose Work
Prep to compete, or come for fun! Easy, drop-in format. Prerequisite: Intro to Odor.
Intro to K9 Nose Work®
Use boxes and treats to teach your dog how to systematically search an indoor area and locate the source of odor. Easy to get started, no equipment needed!
- Introduce your dog to the activity and sport of nose work
- Lay foundational skills needed for more advanced levels
- Build drive and stamina for searching
- Create enthusiasm using the reinforcer dogs love best: treats!
Intro to Odor
Build on basic skills from Intro to K9 Nose Work® to advance to the next level. Use odor kits (tins and birch-scented Q-tips) to teach your dog how to search for the odor of birch.
- Prerequisite: Intro to K9 Nose Work®
- Direct your dog’s enthusiasm from the game of finding treats to the game of finding specific smells (AKA target odors)
- Lay the foundation for nose work competition or continuing nose work classes with additional odors
- Online course coming soon! More information as we get closer to launch!
Continuing Nose Work
*These classes are currently full. Join the waitlist for spots that open up.* Join this drop-in style class to prep for nose work competitions, or just have fun! Summer classes involve frequent field trips for an added challenge. Be sure to check the list below for the equipment you’ll need for this class.
- Prerequisite: Intro to Odor
- Introduce new search elements: containers, vehicles, and exteriors
- Introduce new odors: anise and clove
- $35 for a single class; or, save by purchasing classes in a 5-pack ($170) or 8-pack ($260)
- In-person classes are capped at 5 dogs so each dog gets plenty of fun
Required Training Equipment
- 6-foot leash (retractable leashes not accepted)
- Flat collar and/or harness (no prong collars, choke chains or shock collars allowed)
- Lots of your dog’s favorite treats, cut into small pieces
- A treat holder you can attach to your clothes for easy access
- A favorite toy, if your dog is play-motivated
