Discover Our K9 Nose Work Program
Why Nose Work?
Your dog was born to sniff. Nose Work taps into that natural instinct and turns it into a fun, rewarding game that dogs absolutely love.
What starts as a simple search quickly becomes so much more. Dogs learn to solve problems independently, work through challenges, build confidence, and stay engaged in a healthy, productive way. Best of all, they’re having so much fun they don’t even realize they’re learning.
Nose Work is perfect for dogs who:
- Need mental exercise without excessive physical impact
- Are shy, sensitive, reactive, or easily distracted
- Could benefit from increased confidence and independence
- Love to explore, investigate, and problem-solve
- Need a fun activity suitable for any age, breed, or ability level
Unlike many dog sports, Nose Work allows each dog to work at their own pace. There are no jumps to clear, no complicated obedience routines to master, and no pressure to perform. Your dog simply gets to do what comes naturally—use their nose.
Many owners are surprised by the positive changes they see outside of class as well. Dogs often become more confident, more focused, and more resilient because they are regularly practicing independent thinking and success.
Whether your dog is an energetic youngster, a senior looking for a low-impact activity, or a reactive dog who needs a confidence boost, Nose Work provides a safe and rewarding outlet for their natural instincts.
Class Information
For the safety and comfort of all search teams, dogs must remain crated when not actively working. Please bring a soft-sided crate, or your dog may wait comfortably in your vehicle between searches.
If your dog loves to sniff, explore, and solve puzzles, Nose Work may become their new favorite activity. 
Intro To Nose Work (5 week class) $225
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
UP COMING CLASSES:
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.
UP COMING CLASSES:
CHECK BACK FOR OUR NEXT 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.
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.