Frequently Asked Questions

Can my dog do nose work?

You betcha! Just about any dog of any size, breed, body, mobility capability, and temperament can participate. The sport and curriculum can be modified to set each unique dog up for success. To keep everyone safe, it’s unlikely a dog with severe aggression toward humans or extreme environmental sensitivities will be a good fit for classes, though. If you’re not sure, feel free to reach out with questions!

Can I do nose work with my dog?

Absolutely! We welcome all humans as they are, too, and are particularly proud to offer a sport that is so inclusive and accessible. All you need to get started are some boxes, treats, and a leash. We deliberately accommodate a wide variety of mobility needs and do our best to ensure every team’s success.

Does my dog need special training before we start?

Nope! If you dog already knows how to sniff (which they do!), then that’s all we need to get started. No prior skills in obedience are needed. Dogs will at times need to wait in a crate or in your vehicle until it’s their turn to sniff, though, so it would be a good idea to work on some of those waiting skills.

My dog has some big feelings about other dogs. Can we still participate?

Yes! Unlike other sports or training classes, K9 Nose Work is designed for each dog to work individually. That enables them to really learn the game without worrying about other dogs or distractions. While they wait for their turns, dogs rest safely in their crates out of sight. That also gives the dogs important time to process what they’ve just learned and have some down time. Humans, though, get to watch all the dogs in class participate. We can learn so much by watching different dogs solve the same problem and we get to cheer everyone on!

What if my dog isn’t food motivated?

Don’t worry! Food is considered a primary reinforcer, meaning that dogs find it inherently pretty valuable. We can experiment a bit to find out what each particular pup values the most. Some dogs are Team No Crumb Left Behind. Some dogs are Team Ball all the way and would gladly skip a treat for some fetch or tug. In those cases, we can certainly introduce the game of nose work using a favorite toy.

How do we start competing in Nose Work?

All dogs start their training by searching for food or a toy. Once they have developed the skills of working independently and solving puzzles in lots of different environments, we can start introducing the target odors of birch, anise, and clove. Dogs will progress at their own pace, and that is a-ok! We want them to be confident and enjoy the game above all. The same goes for the human! Some handlers want to compete and some don’t. I have one dog competing at the NW3 level and another who will probably never compete, but loves the game. For both, that joy is what I find most important.

Our classes will cover skills that will prepare humans and dogs for trial environments. Private lessons are a great option, too, for more tailored trial prepartion.

The sport of K9 Nose Work® is organized and sanctioned by the NACSW℠. Anyone wishing to compete must be a current member of the NACSW℠ and have the competing dog registered with the NACSW℠. Before entering your first trial, your dog must complete an Odor Recognition Test (ORT).