Scent Work

The scent work path is a great way to help your dog use one of their most powerful, natural tools to compete, work their mind, and have a fantastic time. This path will challenge you and your dog in ways you’ve never thought of, while growing your bond exponentially as you and your dog learn to trust their nose. All NDTC classes require proof of current rabies vaccination for dogs age six months or older.

Introduction to Scent Work (Scent Level 1)

Prerequisites
Dogs must be 6 months or older.

Goals
An introduction to the sport of Scent Work. This class uses food (primary reinforcement) to build a dog’s search  and hunt drive and to teach a dog to solve a scent work puzzle. Handlers will work on learning to read their dog’s changes of behavior.

Novice Competition Scent Work

Prerequisites
Introduction to Odor or Instructor Approval

Goals
This class is for dogs that completely understand odor recognition and are beginning to compete in Scent work.  Dogs will see the many and varied scenarios of AKC Novice Competition in the elements of exterior, interior, buried and containers. 

Introduction to Odor Basics (Scent Level 2)

Prerequisites
Intro to Scent Work 1 or Instructor approval

Goals
This class introduces dogs to target oil through paired hides. Dogs will continue building search drive and work on odor obedience. Handlers will continue working on handling skills, reading their dog, as well as learn the proper way to handle odor, and scent theory.

Introduction to Odor Advanced (Scent Level 3)

Prerequisites
Intro to Odor Basics or Instructor approval

Goals
This class solidifies the dog’s recognition of all three AKC odors—birch, anise and clove. Handlers will begin working on “blind hides” and recognizing the dog’s change of behavior when in odor and alert behaviors when at source. Concepts of threshold hides, elevated hides and inaccessible hides will be incorporated in searches. Finally, the different AKC Novice elements will be introduced.