Anybody done K9 Nose Work?

[Pat and Traveler]

Trav and I are taking a class in K9 Nose Work.  This is a for-fun class, not to be confused with drug sniffing, cadaver-finding, or other working-dog trainings.  (And would you really want your dog to alert on a car truck while you were on your daily walk?!)

In a large room, a number of boxes are scattered around, one of which contains a high-value treat.  The dog searches, finds the treat, gets rewarded and praised.  It’s fun for the dog, and fun to watch other dogs do their searches.  There are more advanced trainings, but this box training is the beginning.  It’s a good class for dogs that are dog-reactive or shy as they work one by one, staying in the car between turns.  The dogs in Trav’s group are at various stages in their training.  One little terrier is a no-nonsense worker and just trots in, finds the treat, and is finished.  There’s an old lab that wanders arthritically around, only mildly interested in treats. 

Trav loves playing ‘find the fox,’ at home, and will patiently search the living room til he finds the hidden toy.  This game didn’t translate at all to the nose work.  Trav was delighted to see a row of people sitting in the training room and wanted to say hello to everybody.  After some coaxing, he found the treat.  He loves going to this training, but I can’t say he’s a star searcher.  He did do a lot better at our last class and found the treats in practically record time. 

If you continue on in the Nose Work, the dogs learn to search the perimeter of the room, vehicles, etc., and to search for three specific scents–birch, anise and clove–and there are trials and competitions.

Has anybody else taken their dogs to this training?  

[Pat and Traveler]

Good job, Ozzie!  (and mom :)  I know how challenging it is to reach that level.  We're still going to classes, and Trav has become a dedicated nose dog.  We're working on birch, with treats, right now.  Our trainer is involved with trials, and has been encouraging us to continue.  So far, we haven't worked anywhere but a huge room, and a small, cluttered room, but Trav is really keeping his focus these days and loves having a job.  Thanks for letting me know about the NACSW.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Wonderful news....congratulations!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Congratulations Ozzie.

[GBK]

Congratsulations!!!  Ignore my question earlier in the discussion aboout if you passed :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You know, I think I might look into doing with Jackdoodle. This might be a good activity for him now that he can't run or jump much any more.

[Pat and Traveler]

I'll bet Jack would love doing this.  It would be an excellent way for him to have a job without having to run or jump.  I'm fascinated by the dogs and handlers--such a variety, and all the dogs seem to love it.  We have one dog that's terrified by noises and pretty much any sort of distraction.  She's getting more focused all the time, and more able to ignore distractions.  There's a young guy with a big shepherd whose mom made him take the class, and he's really a pain in the backside, though I think his dog could be really good.  Some dogs travel around at warp speed, and some are slower and more thorough.  Trav knows what he's there for, and just goes about doing his job, ignoring people and all other distractions.  He did get side-tracked by a ball one time.  :)

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

This sounds perfect for someone as intelligent as JD, he would probably be excellent at it and yes it seems like an activity that he can keep all four paws on the floor for. I'm going to google it in my area. Both of mine would love it.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I found a class in my area, but there is something I don't like about it. Does this sound right to anyone?

"Class is for 6 weeks.  Your dog must be confined when not working.  You can either bring a crate, use one of ours or confined them in the car."

http://www.rootdogtraining.com/K9Nosework.html

This is their policy for all of their classes. Um, bring your own crate to class for your 80 lb dog? Leave him in the car? Um, NO.

Is this the norm with nosework? This is an introductory class.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

That does seem to be just what Pat was referring to, either in the car or in a crate between sessions. I'm with you on the crates. For one we don't have any. I'd be ok with sitting with them in the car, with the A/C on but then how would you know when it's your turn? So they must mean LEAVE them in the car while you attend the rest of the class between work sessions.
We don't have any. K9nosework classes here near us so we aren't going anyway, but I'm sure it must be a doable solution to use car or crate, if the dogs and owners all enjoy the class so.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I guess we'll skip this and look for something else. There is no way I am leaving JD alone in the car ever, he hates it and this would not be a fun activity for him. And this is the only nosework class in my area.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

And now that I think about it, he can't have any kind of treat other than plain boiled chicken, so this probably wouldn't work for him anyway. But it does sound like fun for most dogs.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Why don't you call them and ask if you could just walk him outside, I guess spring would be best. You could surely bring your own treats. If not I guess you could make this a little game/ course you do at home. I would leave mine in the car, I do at times. But in hot weather that would be a no go. The crate part is ridiculous.