Yes, Dog! Scent Work Training

Scent Work Classes

Scent Work: Levels 1 – 3

Scent is your dog’s primary sense. It’s a species-specific need. In Scent Work Beginners – Introduction to Scent, we’ll train your dog to find a scent.

• Have more fun with your dog, build confidence, and strengthen your relationship.
• Learn a game you can play every day with only one object that smells like you.
• Provide a mental and physical workout that leaves your dog feeling calmer and more satisfied. Many dogs sleep on the way home!
• Follow an evidence-based approach using positive reinforcement that has already worked for thousands of teams.
• The scent is up to you. By default, we’ll provide a palm-sized piece of rubber placement for you to hold and apply your scent. Ask us if you want to learn a different target odor. For example, some students train for nosework competitions for pet dogs using essential oils. (We can bring cocktailed hides of all the beginner odors (Birch + Anise + Clove + Wintergreen + Pine +Cypruss), as long as you request them a week in advance.) Whatever scent you pick, it must be the same scent for all 7 weeks, to avoid confusing your dog.
• Learn about the theory of scent detection and what your dog’s fantastic nose can do
• Minimize errors and confusion with clear communication
• Learn to apply errorless learning. Instead of asking your dog to search random objects and see what happens, we’ll start with 1-second searches to build confidence, so it’s nearly impossible to fail.
• Teach a systematic search.
• Learn how to reward properly.
• This hybrid class includes our popular online course with demo videos and handouts.
• If you’d like to do optional homework, you can use the audio files to practice at home, pausing after each step.
• Get answers to your questions on our private worldwide Facebook student discussion group.
• Troubleshooting and coaching are included in the price.
• Almost every dog of every age, breed, and ability can succeed in scent detection, including dogs with vision, hearing, or neurological impairments. Puppies should have had at least their second set of vaccinations.
• If you have a reactive dog, we’ll set you up for success. Dog greetings and sniffing is never allowed. There is only one dog searching at a time. Other dogs must wait for their turn to search in your vehicle, just like scent detection tests, competitions, and even professional deployments.
• Learn to become a better trainer by having more fun!

DETAILS

• Mondays starting at 6:00pm OR 7:30pm options.

• This class is 60 min each week for 7 weeks. Maximum 6 teams.

• There are no prerequisites, and no previous experience is required. But If you have a dog-reactive dog, we recommend completing the Feisty Fido program first, so when you start scent detection, you and your dog get the most out of classes.
• **This class is not suitable for human reactive dogs**
• We are always force free! All dogs must search on a buckle collar or tracking harness. Aversives like pinch, choke, and shock collars, ill-fitted martingales and slip leads are never allowed. If you have any concerns about controlling your dog, ask us, and we’re happy to help find positive solutions.

• Try one hour for $45 or buy a the 7 week class for $299. Class dates are subject to instructor availability and may not occur every week (since the instructor works on scent detection contracts on some weekends). Please contact us for a list of dates and times for you to select from.
• Fees are non-refundable. All teams must sign Hunter’s Heart waiver in order to participate in class, including any spectators.

Start sniffing today!