Nose Work: Dogs Doing What They are Designed to Do
Nose work is like detection dog training, except we search for food and novel odors (birch, anise, and clove) instead of bombs or drugs.
All dogs have the ability to use their noses to hunt. While some breeds may have a more natural drive, the beauty of nose work is that any dog can participate. In nose work, we give the dog permission to do something it already knows how to do, find an odor and work it back to the source. It’s an incredibly fun thing for a dog to get to do something it was designed to do. Unlike obedience, agility, or other dog sports, the dog leads the way instead of the human. Once the dog figures this out, they LOVE it! And searches can be done anywhere you can take your dog. No prior experience or training is needed.
The benefits of nose work go beyond fun. If you have a dog that is shy or scared, nose work can help it build confidence and independence. We move at the dog’s pace. On the flip side, if you have a high-energy dog who is constantly bouncing off the walls, nose work can help burn off energy and improve focus.
If you have an older dog who can’t do a lot of physical activity but still enjoys being with you, nose work is a great pastime that’s mentally challenging. If you have a dog-reactive dog who can’t go to dog parks or play with other dogs, you can still do nose work. We run one dog at a time and they stay in crates when it’s not their turn, so reactive dogs are welcome.
There’s not much needed to begin, just a hungry dog, some high-value food treats (or a toy if your dog is very toy motivated), a collar and six-foot leash, and someone 16 years or older to be the dog’s handler. The dog should be at least six months old, too.
I start new classes when I have between 3-5 students. So, if you are interested, please fill out the form on our Contact page or call me at 256-371-9456. I am a certified nose work instructor through the National Association of Canine Scent Work® and I love introducing people and dogs to this very fun activity!
Nose Work: Dogs Doing What They are Designed to Do
Nose work is like detection dog training, except we search for food and novel odors (birch, anise, and clove) instead of bombs or drugs.
All dogs have the ability to use their noses to hunt. While some breeds may have a more natural drive, the beauty of nose work is that any dog can participate. In nose work, we give the dog permission to do something it already knows how to do, find an odor and work it back to the source. It’s an incredibly fun thing for a dog to get to do something it was designed to do. Unlike obedience, agility, or other dog sports, the dog leads the way instead of the human. Once the dog figures this out, they LOVE it! And searches can be done anywhere you can take your dog. No prior experience or training is needed.
The benefits of nose work go beyond fun. If you have a dog that is shy or scared, nose work can help it build confidence and independence. We move at the dog’s pace. On the flip side, if you have a high-energy dog who is constantly bouncing off the walls, nose work can help burn off energy and improve focus.
If you have an older dog who can’t do a lot of physical activity but still enjoys being with you, nose work is a great pastime that’s mentally challenging. If you have a dog-reactive dog who can’t go to dog parks or play with other dogs, you can still do nose work. We run one dog at a time and they stay in crates when it’s not their turn, so reactive dogs are welcome.
There’s not much needed to begin, just a hungry dog, some high-value food treats (or a toy if your dog is very toy motivated), a collar and six-foot leash, and someone 16 years or older to be the dog’s handler. The dog should be at least six months old, too.
I start new classes when I have between 3-5 students. So, if you are interested, please fill out the form on our Contact page or call me at 256-371-9456. I am a certified nose work instructor through the National Association of Canine Scent Work® and I love introducing people and dogs to this very fun activity!