OVERVIEW OF “FOCUSED NOSE WORK” CLASSES

Dogs smell scent like we see color.  As a dog is born knowing how to use its nose, “Focused Nose Work” Classes will not teach the dog "how" to follow scent so much as we will be communicating to the dog on what specific thing we want the dog to focus those superior scenting abilities.  To do that, we will tap into your dog’s natural desire to hunt and we will positively reinforce this hunting behavior with a reward system that your particular dog loves, such as a highly-valued toy, special food and sincere praise.  “Focused Nose Work” Classes are exhilarating for both dog and handler and they can help develop confidence even in the most timid of dogs.  And, the mental exercise of searching and problem-solving is great for calming down other, more energetic or reactive, dogs. Finally, a huge benefit of the “Focused Nose Work” Classes is the positive working relationship that develops between you and your dog when you both are out “hunting” together as a team.  And, for those handlers that love to compete, this series of “Focused Nose Work” Classes will prepare you for the new competitive Dog Sport that is taking California by storm.  Check out the official “Fun Nose Work” website to learn all about it:  http://funnosework.com/home.html   Rules and regulations can be found at the “National Association of Canine Scent Work” website:  http://www.nacsw.net/

“Focused Nose Work” Classes are broken down into five levels:  Level I, Level II-A, Level II-B, Level III and Level IV.  Each Level consists of 6 1-hour weekly group sessions.  Each dog team must participate in each Level as the information builds as the classes continue.  Therefore, Level I is a prerequisite to Level II and so forth.  Depending on how quickly the dog AND the handler master the required skills of each Level determines whether the dog team can move up to the next Level.  All dogs participating must be at least 6 months of age and be able to be walked on a leash and come when called.  All dogs will work twice each class but only one dog will be worked in the building at a time.

Level I:  Introduction to Focused Hunting.  Level I is where we build the dog’s desire to hunt using modern methods of positive reinforcement while simultaneously training the handler how to read their dog’s unique hunting behaviors and to pick up on those subtle signals that communicate to the handler that the dog is “working scent.”

Level II-A:  Scent Discrimination-A.   Level II-A is where we not only strengthen the dog’s natural hunting abilities and the working relationship developing between you and your canine partner but we also communicate to the dog that one of the three specific target odors is what we want the dog to hunt for.  As many of the handlers participating in our “Focused Nose Work” Classes will want to go on to compete with their dogs, the three target odors that we will be using are the essential oils of anise, clove and birch.  Dog teams enrolled in Level II-A must have completed Level I.

Level II-B:  Scent Discrimination-B.   Level II-B is where we introduce the dog to the remaining two target odors.  Additionally, we will continue to work on your handling skills and the dog’s ability to independently and reliability hunt for all three target odors.  Dog teams enrolled in Level II-B must have completed Level II-A and must pass a “minimum proficiency test” in finding the initial target odor.

Level III:  Problem-Solving.   Level III is where we continue to increase both the dog’s “dedication” to hunting for the target odors and the handler’s and the dog’s ability to work together as a team in solving progressively more challenging search problems.  Dog handling techniques for on- and for off-leash work as well as search strategies will be discussed in these classes.  Dog teams enrolled in Level III must have completed Level II-B and must pass a “minimum proficiency test” in finding the remaining two target odors.

Level IV:  Indication.  Level IV is where we teach the dog to offer an independent indication which the dog will use to communicate to the handler that it has found the target odor.  Our goal is to have a dog that intensely hunts and automatically indicates when it pinpoints the target odor.  Dog teams enrolled in Level IV must have completed Level III.

The equipment that you will need for each class is:

1)      Flat Nylon or Leather Collar.  Other than walking the dog into and out of the building, please do not use Halti Head Collars or Gentle Leaders as one of the goals of this training is to get your dog working freely and independently.  While there is a place for these pieces of equipment, they tend to restrict the dog, both mentally and physically.  So, they are not appropriate to use while the dog is working.  A well-fitted harness also is acceptable to use. 

2)      Leash.  A light-weight leather or nylon leash of approximately 6’ in length.  Please make sure that there is nothing attached to the leash that could distract the dog.

3)      Long Line.  A longer light-weight leather or nylon line of approximately 15’ in length. 

4)      Water.  Please don’t forget to bring water for your dog.

5)      Crate or Car.  Only one dog will work at a time.  All other dogs must be confined to either a crate while not working or left in a car with proper ventilation, water and shade.  If it is hot outside, it is recommended to bring a crate that you can erect in the training building.

6)      Salient Treats.  Because we are building your dog’s desire to hunt, it is VERY important that you bring rewards that your dog really, REALLY wants!!!  The more that the dog wants the reward, the more intense its hunting behavior will be.  So, do not bring plain, boring kibble or dog cookies, even if they are a high-end kibble or dog cookie.  Bring something that is moist and smelly, such as deli cold-cuts, Mama Mia’s Turkey Meatballs, Garlic Sausages, real Blue-Cheese flavored treats, tuna, sardines.  In other words, bring something that makes your dog salivate just smelling it! BUT PLEASE NO RAW MEATS FOR HEALTH CONCERNS!!!  Chop the treats up into small pieces and bring it all with you in a plastic bag.  Bring approximately 1½ cups of treats.  If your dog is not a food dog, that is ok – bring that dog’s most “favored toy.”  If your dog wants that toy, we can utilize a toy in our training system as well.

7)      Three Small Metal Bowls.  To keep things moving efficiently through the class, please bring three small metal bowls that do no exceed 6 inches wide or 3 inches high.  We will fill them with your Salient Treats when you and your dog are “on deck.”

Pre-registration required by calling 617.775.7968    Please click here for Registration Form. 

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