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K9 Nose Work: Train Your Dog's Scenting Abilities
Honing dog's scenting abilities through fun and games.
Discover K9 Nose Work, the latest training activity that develops your dog’s natural scenting abilities through fun and games. The sport leverages every dog’s amazing sense of smell and their love of performing a task. Geared for dogs of all shapes, sizes and ages—K9 Nose Work has found enthusiastic participants seeking a lower impact canine activity that offers great rewards for both handlers and their dogs. By utilizing basic search dog skills, the sport builds confidence, burns off mental and physical energy, and reinforces the bond between dog and owner. All levels of performance reap these benefits and are welcome. Watch a video of a Nose Work session in action and check out the following sites for more information on classes, tools for training and competition requirements. |
This article first appeared in The Bark, Issue 60, Summer 2010
Photographs by Daniela Lopez
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This looks so cool! But why are three out of the four male dogs shown intact? Not a good message to send, is it?
Where's the video?
Snafu on the site. Video is up now. Thanks for your note.
My dog, a Katrina rescue, is so smart, so sweet, but so bored! This sounds like a great idea, but I need a place near me to train him! I live in New York State, near Hudson, Rhinebeck, Hillsdale. Millerton is not far either. Does anyone know of a place around here????????
I'm hoping to get this started at Pets Alive West, a shelter in Westchester County. If you haven't found anything up there, check in with us as we have a *lot* of older dogs at the shelter who can't do Agility or other strenuous activities, but can do nose work for sure.
Sue Sternberg's place, Rondout Valley Animals for Adoption, might also be a good place to check. They have all kinds of great things going on there. Good Luck!
Misa
This sounds like so much fun. No workshops where we live, but maybe we can figure something out. My dog tends to be a bit timid, she's about 10-11 yrs. old and she never has been much on playing. This could be perfect for us.
You and your dogs are gonna love scent work. I have 2 labs - one has been doing this since they started at the SPCALA in Long Beach, CA years ago. He is a retired guide dog and was a bit lost without a 'job' to do. I give all the credit to Ron Gaunt, Jill-Marie O'Brien & Amy Herot for helping me turn him back into a dog again. The dogs will have a blast! You will love watching how your dog works the room. Good Luck!!!
Do you think its possible for me to do this with my dog without going to training? is there something I can read that will show me how? Thanks
Yes this is a very easy game to teach your dog/any dog.
Holly, For more information, I suggest contacting:
K9 Nose Work Workshops

National Association of Canine Scent Work
I just enrolled my 12 yr old Westie in a series that begins in July in New Hampshire, thanks to this article.
Where in NH anywhere near Portsmouth?!?
This dog studio is in Saco, ME and they offer Scent Games classes: http://www.finishforwarddogs.com.
I just enrolled my 4 year old chihuahua mix in a nose work class since he can't do agility anymore. We start soon and I can't wait! We're taking it at www.arf.net in Walnut Creek!