Discover Our K9 Nose Work Program
Nose work is one of the most rewarding activities you can do with your dog — and it’s about far more than just sniffing.
This class is a great choice if you:
Want to mentally tire your dog without excessive physical stress
Have a shy, sensitive, reactive, or easily distracted dog
Are looking for an activity dogs of all ages can enjoy, from puppies to seniors
Want to build your dog’s confidence and independence
Enjoy watching your dog think, problem-solve, and succeed
Nose work allows dogs to use their most natural skill in a calm, structured way. Many dogs find it empowering and confidence-boosting, especially those who struggle in more traditional training environments.
Please note: For the safety and comfort of all searchers we now require all dogs to be crated during class. Please bring a soft side crate or your pup is more than welcome to wait in the car.
Why Train With Us?
Led by Christi Raak (PNWI), and certified K9 handler with extensive experience in professional scent detection and competitive training, our program provides top-notch instruction in a large facility designed for success. Christi’s background in search operations and professional odor detection ensures expert guidance, whether you’re starting out or competing at the highest levels.
Intro To Nose Work (5 week class) $185
Our Intro to Nose Work class turns sniffing into a fun, structured game that builds confidence, focus, and independence. Dogs of all ages, breeds, and experience levels can enjoy this activity, making it a great option for puppies, adult dogs, and seniors alike. The early stages focus on foundational skills. While these exercises may feel simple for humans, they are essential for teaching dogs how to search, understand the game, and feel confident in new environments.
This class is a great choice if you:
Want to engage your dog’s natural hunting and searching instincts in a safe, structured way
Are looking for meaningful mental enrichment without excessive physical strain
Have a shy, sensitive, reactive, or easily distracted dog
Want an activity dogs of all ages can enjoy, from puppies to seniors
Enjoy watching your dog think, problem-solve, and gain confidence
Advanced Classes Coming in 2026: As we grow our program, expect more advanced classes to help you and your dog reach new heights, including AKC and NACSW trial preparation.
Join us to explore the exciting world of scent work. Try our trial day or jump into the 4-week class and watch your dog’s confidence soar!
Ready to Start? Pick a date and enroll below to begin your scent work adventure
The “BOOK NOW” link will take you to our Pet Parent Portal. Under Group Classes you will be able to register and pay for your Nosework Class!
Nose Work 1.0 (5 week course) $185
This class that builds directly on our Intro to Nose Work course, (which is a required prerequisite for enrollment.)
In Intro to Nose Work, dogs learned the rules of the game and began to develop strong hunting skills using a powerful motivator. Nose Work 1.0 takes those foundational skills and gives them clear purpose.
In this class, dogs are introduced to their first official target odor—the essential oil of birch—and learn to pair that scent with the same fantastic motivator they’ve already been perfecting their hunting skills for. Through simple, structured searches, dogs begin to understand that finding birch is what makes the reward happen.
While the setups may look simple, this stage is critical. We focus on:
Strengthening hunt drive and odor commitment
Teaching dogs to work independently and confidently
Reducing handler input so dogs learn to trust their nose
Building clarity in the search process before adding complexity
Scent work shifts the responsibility from the handler to the dog. Instead of being directed, dogs learn to problem-solve, make decisions, and work at their own pace. We work on dog time, not human time, and every dog progresses a little differently.
This class is appropriate for dogs of all ages and breeds who have completed Intro to Nose Work. It’s low-impact, mentally enriching, and an excellent outlet for natural hunting instincts.
If your dog loved Intro to Nose Work and is ready to take the next step—this is where odor truly becomes the game. 
The “BOOK NOW” link will take you to our Pet Parent Portal. Under Group Classes you will be able to register and pay for your Nosework Class!
Nose Work 2.0 (5 week course) $185
In this class, dogs continue working the same structured search concepts introduced in earlier levels while being introduced to two new target odors: anise and clove. Each odor is carefully paired with the same powerful motivator your dog already understands, allowing them to build clear, confident recognition of each scent.
Throughout the class, dogs learn to:
Hunt independently with increasing confidence
Strengthen odor recognition and commitment
Trust their nose while handlers learn to step back and observe
Maintain clarity and confidence as new odors are introduced
While the concepts may still appear simple, this stage is critical for preventing confusion later. We take the time to ensure each odor is understood individually before layering expectations.
By the end of Scent Work 2.0, dogs will be confidently searching for all three target odors—birch, anise, and clove—and understanding that any one of these scents can lead to their reward. This sets teams up for more complex searches and environments in future levels.
This class is appropriate for dogs of all ages and breeds who have successfully completed Nose Work 1.0 and are ready to expand their scent work journey.
The “BOOK NOW” link will take you to our Pet Parent Portal. Under Group Classes you will be able to register and pay for your Nosework Class!
Nose Work 3.0 (5 week course) $185
This class is designed for teams ready to move beyond basic setups and challenge the dog in new environments, elements, and search scenarios.
Building on the solid odor foundation from Nose Work 1.0 and 2.0, dogs will continue working birch, anise, and clove while learning to apply their skills in more dynamic and realistic search situations.
The focus shifts from what odor is being searched to how the dog works through the search.
In this level, dogs and handlers will be challenged with:
New search environments (indoor, outdoor, novel spaces)
A variety of search elements such as containers, interiors, exteriors, and vehicles
Increased complexity in odor placement and access
Strengthening independence, problem-solving, and confidence
Handlers will learn how to read their dog’s body language, trust the process, and allow the dog to work through challenges without overhandling. Dogs are encouraged to slow down, think, and commit to odor even when the search becomes more difficult.
Nose Work 3.0 continues to emphasize clarity, confidence, and teamwork, while honoring dog time and individual learning styles. The goal is not speed, but thoughtful, confident searching across all elements.
This class is appropriate for dogs who have completed Nose Work 2.0 and are ready to take their scent work skills into more complex, real-world search scenarios.
NO FEBRUARY START DATES FOR THIS CLASS
The “BOOK NOW” link will take you to our Pet Parent Portal. Under Group Classes you will be able to register and pay for your Nosework Class!