K9 Nose Work®
Learn the fundamentals of scent work and teach your dog the joy of searching together as a team. Our entry level class develops your dog's focus, confidence, and drive to search for their reward.
Start in Beginner Sniffers but look forward to target odor searches in our 2nd level class and exterior and vehicle searches in our 3rd level class! Prepare for ORT (Odor Recognition Tests) and NASCW trials in Nosework Level 4.
Age Range:
6 months+
Prerequisites:
None for Level 1 Beginner Sniffers
Prior level completion or explicit trainer approval for next levels
Package Details:
Each Level is 6 classes - $295
All classes take place at campus
What We Cover:
Teaching the game and building drive to search for treats (Lvl 1)
Testing confidence and increasing difficulty with height, props, box towers, etc. (Lvl 1)
Transitioning to searching for odor (Lvl 2)
Vehicle searches (Lvl 3)
Exterior searches (Lvl 3)
Preparing for ORTs and Competition (Lvl 4)
More Details
Resources
After each class, you will receive a follow-up email with a recap of skills covered in that class, recommended homework activities, links to any necessary items for class, and what to expect in the next class.
Trainer Qualifications
Instructor Mara Clare VanValzah, CTC, CNWI, of JoyDog Training regularly competes in the sport of K9 Nose Work® herself and is a certified Nose Work Instructor through the NACSW (National Association of Canine Scent Work). She has years of experience both teaching and competing in Nose Work and we honored to have her teaching her classes here at Clickstart! Many of our instructors take her classes with our own pups.
Supportive Services
Whether you’re looking for more searching time or you’re in need of troubleshooting assistance, Mara is also available for Nose Work Tutoring (one-on-one private sessions) on our campus.
Class Set Up
Our K9 Nose Work® classes are designed to be reactive-dog friendly so each dog will search one-at-a-time and then wait their next turn in the car. Ideally, each dog is comfortable waiting in the car on their own so that you can observe other dogs’ searches for maximum benefit. You’re also welcome to wait with your pup if you prefer. This is how competitions are run so it is worth practicing settling and waiting their turn to search.
FAQs
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This is completely up to Mara! Please contact us so we can put you in touch to discuss.
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Your options would be:
• Stay with your dog in the car to wait their turn and miss observing other students’ searches. You will miss some value of the class but as long as you’re okay with it then so are we. The chance to work on your dog’s separation anxiety may even present itself during class!
• Ask a partner, friend, or family member to attend class with you so they can wait in the car with your pup while you watch the other searches.
• Schedule Private Tutoring with Mara to work through the waiting process and see if there’s any quick troubleshooting she can offer you.
Please do not plan to leave your dog to “cry it out.” We have referrals for working through separation anxiety if needed.
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Yes! As long as your dog is able to eat treats on our campus and feel comfortable with quiet, polite people observing while they search.
Nose work is great for boosting confidence of fearful and reactive dogs.
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Unfortunately, there are no makeups offered for this class. Please schedule accordingly. If you need to miss more than 1-2 classes, we recommend scheduling Private Tutoring with Mara to catch up!
