NoseWork - AKC Scent Work
What is NoseWork Training?
NoseWork is a relatively new dog activity and sport that is gaining more and more popularity. It is based on search and rescue and tracking sports but geared to the general public and pet dogs rather than working dogs. Any dog can do K9 NoseWork and it uses the dog's most powerful sense, smell. You do not have to want to compete in AKC NoseWork to enjoy it at home. Noseworks dog classes do not take a lot of equipment and can be enjoyed all year around. It helps build confidence in shy and fearful dogs and is both fun for the dog and the owner.
The instructor, Steve Bettcher is an IACP Certified Dog Trainer and Canine NoseWork and AKC Scent Work Training Instructor. He has been training dogs for over 20 years and has been training Nosework for dogs for 8 years. He has also been competing in NACSW K9 Nose Work and AKC Nosework Trials and training K9 Scent Work since 2012. His Nosework classes will lay a foundation for future competition if you so choose. Steve has earned the following AKC Scent Work, NACSW K9 Nose Work and SDS Nosework titles with his Beagle Buddy:
NACSW K9 Nose Work Titles; NW1, NW2, NW3, Nw3 Elite, NW3-C, NW3-V, NW3-E, NW3-I, L1C, L2C, L1I, L2I and L1V.
AKC Scent Work Titles: SWN, SBN, SCN, SIN, SEN, SIA, SCA, SEA, SBA, SWA, SCE, SIE, and SEE.
SDS Nosework Titles: Excellent
Buddy hauls in a ton of ribbons at AKC NoseWork Trials in San Jose, CA.
NoseWork Classes for Dogs
Introduction to NoseWork
The first thing we teach in K9 NoseWork is the "Indication" before we begin searching. This is backwards for many nosework training methods which teach the Search first. By the use of an operant chamber (scent box or scent tube) we condition the dog to Indicate with a sit/down. Once the nosework "Indication" is bomb proof we move to Odor Discrimination. Steve teaches for both ACK Nosework and NACSW K9 Nosework
Nosework Odor Discrimination
Once the dog is proofed on a solid "Indicator" such as a down/sit we introduce odor discrimination into the nosework training. We introduce the dog to a cocktail of AKC Scent Work scents, Birch, Anise, Clove and Cypress. Once the dog can correctly identify the correct scent box or tube reliably we then introduce individual nosework odors and start expanding the number of objects to be searched. Classes are taught in San Leandro, CA
Nosework Searching
Nosework Searching beyond the conditioning lab does not happen until a reliable "Indicator" has been conditioned, that is the dog can reliably identify the right sent box from multiple choices and work independently from the handler. Once these pieces are in place we can begin real world K9 Nosework searches such as Exteriors, Vehicles, Interiors and Containers.