K9 Nose Work®

K9 Nose Work® taught by Certified Nose Work Instructor

"The purpose of K9 Nose Work® is to engage the dog in the game of nose work and to teach the handler how to read their dog and build a team relationship while having fun. Nose Work is a great skill to develop in the dog that can build the dog's confidence, reduce environmental sensitivity, and provide mental and physical exercise through teamwork with their handler." (Ron Gaunt, Jill O'Brien, Amy Herot -founders of www.k9nosework.com).

Turn your dog’s innate (and sometimes annoying J) tendency to sniff into a directed activity and official dog sport!

Nose Work is a great way to let your dog be a dog and excel in an activity that s/he is naturally good at (sniffing, exploring and hunting). At the same time you will learn more about your companion’s behavior and body language and admire his scenting skills. You and your dog will build a strong relationship based on mutual trust and communication, by enjoying a fun and “no pressure” activity together.

The official sport of K9 Nose Work® was developed in 2006 by Amy Herot and Jill-Marie o’Brien, both professional detection dog trainers and handlers and Ron Gaunt, a former police dog trainer.

The exercises during the nose work classes are customized to each individual dog and will motivate your pooch to search for and “find” a treat or toy. Initially we will use card board boxes as hiding containers, later progressing to other environmental objects. We will then move on to exercises on accessibility, elevation, patterns, add distractions and discuss how your dog indicates the hides. We will also coach you, the handler, how to correctly reward and recognize your dog’s signals. As your dog becomes more proficient, we will use different inside and outside environments as well as teach him/her to check out the exterior of vehicles! In the odor classes, we will pair the hide (toy, treat) with an essential oil aroma (Birch, Anise, Clove) so the dogs learn to associate these unusual odors with their favorite treats or toys! Finally, your dog will be searching for these odors alone and getting rewarded by you, when he finds, indicates and stays at the odor source.

No prior “obedience” training is required! Nose Work is a low-cost activity with minimal planning and set-up requirements. This makes it an ideal activity for pet owners. however, for serious enthusiasts who wish to compete, official K9 Nose Work® trials are also available ( www.nacsw.net ).

New Registration Forms For K9 Nose Work® PDF or Word Document

Class fee: $130.00 per course, unless stated otherwise. Each session lasts up to 90 minutes. $15.00 discount for shelter/rescue dogs ( applies to 6 week courses only; must inform HeRo at the time of enrollment; no other discounts apply). No discounts will be applied after registration.

February 2012

K9 Nose Work® – Level 1

“K9 Nose Work® Basics” at Lycoming SPCA, Williamsport
6-week group class starting on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 5:00 PM (course ends March 7)

This class is offered through the Lycoming County SPCA. The classes will be held at Lycoming County SPCA, 2805 Reach Road, Williamsport, http://www.lycomingspca.org/. 2 spots are reserved for dogs currently at the shelter with volunteer handlers.

“K9 Nose Work® Basics” at Lycoming SPCA, Williamsport
6-week group class starting on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 6:30 PM (course ends March 7) – if above class is full.

March 2012

K9 Nose Work® – Level 1

“Introduction to K9 Nose Work®” at Brook Park Farm, Lewisburg
4-week group class, starting on Friday, March 2, 2012 at 11:00 am (course ends March 23). Cost: $90 for Lewisburg residents, $115 for non-residents.

This 4-week course is offered through the Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority (LARA). The classes will be held at Brook Park Farm, 195 Brook Park Circle, Lewisburg, PA 17837.

For more information and to register, please check out: www.golara.org

“Introduction to K9 Nose Work®” at Bloom U – location to be advised
4-week group class, starting on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at 10:00 am (course ends March 27). Cost: $69.00

This 4-week course is offered through the Bloomsburg University Corporate and Continuing Education Department. For more information and a current mini-course catalog, please check out: http://www.bloomu.edu/ce

“K9 Nose Work® Basics” at Wagging Tail, Bloomsburg (location subject to change)
6-week group class starting on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at 1:30 PM (no class on March 17; course ends April 14)

This class is offered through Wagging Tail Doggie Day Care, 95 E 10th Street in Bloomsburg. The classes will be held at Wagging Tail (session 1, 2, 4, 6), Bloomsburg Elementary School (session 3 – to be confirmed) and Paws-itively Obedient Dog Training School (session 5 – to be confirmed).

“K9 Nose Work® Basics” at Lycoming SPCA, Williamsport
6-week group class starting on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 at 6:30 PM (course ends April 11)

“K9 Nose Work® Basics” at Paws-itively Obedient, Watsontown
6-week group class starting on Thursday, March 15, 2012 at 4:00 PM (course ends on April 19).

This course is offered through Paws-itively Obedient Dog Training School. The classes will be held at Paws-itively Obedient Dog Training School, 121 Rovenolt Drive in Watsontown (the facility is located between Turbotville and McEwensville). For directions click here: http://pawsitivelyobedient.net/album1_012.htm

K9 Nose Work® – Level 2

“Continuing K9 Nose Work® - Exteriors” at Brook Park Farm, Lewisburg
4-week group class, starting on Friday, March 2, 2012 at 9:30 am (course ends March 23). Cost: $90 for Lewisburg residents, $115 for non-residents.
Prerequisite for this course is completion of a 6-week "Basics" or 4-week “Introduction to K9 Nose Work®” course.

This 4-week course is offered through the Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority (LARA). The classes will be held at Brook Park Farm, 195 Brook Park Circle, Lewisburg, PA 17837.

For more information and to register, please check out: http://www.golara.org/info/default.aspx

“Intermediate K9 Nose Work®” at Wagging Tail, Bloomsburg (location subject to change)
6 - week group class starting on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at 10:30 PM (no class on March 17; course ends on April 14)
Prerequisite for this course is completion of a 6-week "Basics" or 4-week “Introduction to K9 Nose Work®” course.

This course is offered through Wagging Tail Doggie Day Care, 95 E 10th Street in Bloomsburg. The classes will be held at Wagging Tail (session 1, 2, 4, 6), Bloomsburg Elementary School in Bloomsburg (session 3 – to be confirmed) and Paws-itively Obedient Dog Training School in Watsontown (session 5 – to be confirmed).

“Intermediate K9 Nose Work®” at Paws-itively Obedient, Watsontown
6-week group class starting on Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at 9:30 AM (course ends April 18)
Prerequisite for this course is completion of a 6-week "Basics" or 4-week “Introduction to K9 Nose Work®” course.

This class is offered through Paws-itively Obedient Dog Training School. The classes will be held at Paws-itively Obedient Dog Training School, 121 Rovenolt Drive in Watsontown (the facility is located between Turbotville and McEwensville). For directions click here: http://pawsitivelyobedient.net/album1_012.htm

K9 Nose Work® – Level 3 and 4

“K9 Nose Work®: Introduction to Odor: Pairing with Birch" at Paws-itively Obedient, Watsontown
6-week group class starting on Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at 11:00 AM (course ends on April 18)
Prerequisite for this course is completion of a 6-week "Basics" or 4-week “Introduction to K9 Nose Work®” course AND “Intermediate K9 Nose Work® or both “Continuing K9 Nose Work®: Exteriors and Vehicles” courses.

“K9 Nose Work®: Introduction to Odor: Pairing with Birch, and Odor Only" at Wagging Tail, Bloomsburg (location subject to change)
6-week group class starting on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at 12:00 PM (no class on March 17; course ends on April 14)
Prerequisite for this course is completion of a 6-week "Basics" or 4-week “Introduction to K9 Nose Work®” course AND “Intermediate K9 Nose Work® or both “Continuing K9 Nose Work®: Exteriors and Vehicles” courses for “Pairing with Birch” applicants AND additionally a “K9 Nose Work® Introduction to Odor: Pairing with Birch” course for ”Odor Only” applicants.

K9 Nose Work® – Level 5

“K9 Nose Work® Odor Only Practice" at Wagging Tail, Bloomsburg (location subject to change)
6-week group class starting on Monday, March 12, 2012 at 6:00 PM (course ends on April 16). Cost: Cost: $120.00
Prerequisite for this course is completion of a 6-week "Basics" or 4-week “Introduction to K9 Nose Work®” course AND “Intermediate K9 Nose Work® or both “Continuing K9 Nose Work®: Exteriors and Vehicles” courses AND a “K9 Nose Work® Introduction to Odor: Pairing with Birch” course.

This course is offered through Wagging Tail Doggie Day Care, 95 E 10th Street in Bloomsburg.

“K9 Nose Work® Odor Only Practice" at Paws-itively Obedient, Watsontown
6-week group class starting on Thursday, March 15, 2012 at 5:30 PM (course ends on April 19). Cost: Cost: $120.00
Prerequisite for this course is completion of a 6-week "Basics" or 4-week “Introduction to K9 Nose Work®” course AND “Intermediate K9 Nose Work® or both “Continuing K9 Nose Work®: Exteriors and Vehicles” courses AND a “K9 Nose Work® Introduction to Odor: Pairing with Birch” course.

For more information, please check out the attached info sheet and registration forms (different forms Paws and Wagging Tail). If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to get back in touch.

Nose Work Info for Students

"K9 Nose Work® Practice Group"

This group is for K9 Nose Work® enthusiasts in Columbia, Luzerne, Montour, Lycoming, Northumberland and Union counties in PA, who have attended at least one 4-week “Introduction to Nose Work®” or 6-week “K9 Nose Work® Basics” AND one 6-week "Intermediate K9 Nose Work®" or both 4-week “Intermediate K9 Nose Work®: Exteriors" and “Intermediate K9 Nose Work®: Vehicles" group classes, or have been pre-approved by the moderator. Handler/dog teams from other areas who meet the above requirements are of course always welcome!

Practice sessions are bi-weekly on Friday evenings in the Bloomsburg area, and monthly on Sundays in the Watsontown area. Dates, times, locations and details will be determined and announced through this group.

Join here: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/HeRoNoseWorkPractice/

Cost for each session: $10.00

Please download the practice group waiver form here: PDF File or Word Document

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Nose work is a great activity for all dogs and people anytime and anywhere:

· ALL breeds and breed mixes
Every dog has his/her own hunting and sniffing style, and their sense of smell is by far superior to the human ability to detect odor (approx. 220 million scent receptors vs. 5 million in the human nose)
All dog sizes and weights from Yorkie to Great Dane, from Pug to Puli
Canines love and excel at this activity!

· Fearful dogs
Triggering stimuli (e. g. new environment, scary objects, strangers, noises) are paired with a fun activity and a food or toy reward
Safe and controlled environment
Exercises customized to your dog
Builds confidence as the dog ALWAYS succeeds in this activity
No social pressure from other people and dog
Sniffing tires the body and calms the mind

· Reactive dogs
Minimal to no interaction with other people who observe from a distance
Only one dog is worked at any one time; no other dogs “in your face”
No leash pressure from handler
Sniffing/hunting can become more rewarding than reacting to a triggering stimulus
Safe and controlled environment
Sniffing tires the body and calms the mind

· Active dogs
Dogs can move freely off-leash in enclosed environments
Dogs are encouraged to make their own choices
Sniffing is a highly self-rewarding activity
Sniffing tires the body and calms the mind

· Young dogs
Short training sessions ensure focused attention
Exploring is a fun as well as physically and mentally tiring activity for puppies and adolescent dogs
Builds confidence
A great socialization tool

· Dogs with physical restrictions and geriatric dogs
Maximum mental stimulation with minimal physical movement
Deaf dogs and blind dogs only need their sense of smell to be successful
Safe and controlled environment
Exercises customized to your dog
Nose work builds confidence

· “Lazy” people
Enjoy watching your dog just like you watch TV; although you will have to get up and “change channels” from time to time (here: go to your dog and reward at source)

· People with physical restrictions
Minimal movement needed from handler
Other students and instructor can work your dog
Dog will be tired physically and mentally at the end of each class

· Owners of reactive or fearful dogs
Learn to relax in safe and control environment
Gain confidence as your dog works successfully through nose work challenges
Be in a “support group” with other dog handler
Be proud of your dog’s achievements in class
Learn to apply nose work in other environment

· Anytime and Anywhere
Work inside in any room or building – from bathroom to barn, from living room to garage
Work outside on any surface (e. g. concrete, gravel, grass, sand, dirt)
Urban, suburban, rural areas
Try your luck at vehicle searches
Work in any weather (if so inclined) and any time of day or night
Work with no, low, moderate and maximum distractions

· Other benefits
No to low cost activity; no expensive equipment required
Short training sessions that fit in anyone’s busy schedule
You can use your dog’s daily meals as hides
Up the ante according to your dog’s successes and experience

Prerequisites:

· Dogs are worked one at a time while other dogs are resting in their crates or cars until it is their turn. Dogs must be able to stay quietly in a crate or in a vehicle out of owner's sight when not working.

· Participants must disclose any aggression (including resource guarding) and reactivity issues prior to class. We reserve the right to decline working with a dog and/or asking a dog to leave the class without refund if we feel she/he is inappropriate or dangerous to the instructor or seminar participants, or if the experience is detrimental to the dog's emotional well-being.

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For more information about this new canine sport check out:

www.k9nosework.com

http://thebark.com/content/k9-nose-work-0 (with video)

http://articles.ocregister.com/2009-02-27/housing/24671197_1_training-dogs-dog-trainers-dog-s-nose

www.nacsw.net (National Association of Canine Scent Work)