Give your dog an opportunity to work at something he "nose" how to do naturally, while also building his confidence and his relationship with you. Using your dog's curiosity, desire to hunt, and his love of food, toys and exercise, you'll teach him to hunt for a specific scent in a variety of increasingly complex environments. There are no prerequisites for this class but your dog must be crate-trained or able to be on leash behind a barrier during other dogs' turns. For dogs 4 months and older.
Give your dog an opportunity to work at something he "nose" how to do naturally, while also building his confidence and his relationship with you. Using your dog's curiosity, desire to hunt, and his love of food, toys and exercise, you'll teach him to hunt for a specific scent in a variety of increasingly complex environments. There are no prerequisites but your dog must be crate-trained or able to be on leash behind a barrier during other dogs' turns. For dogs 4 months and older.
This is class number two in a series of six core Nose Work classes, all of which may be taken until the graduation criteria have been met. This class will continue to work with food and/or toys with a focus on handling skills, independent searching, and recognizing behaviors your dog uses to communicate that he is sourcing odor. We will use all four elements required in NACSW searches: Containers, Interiors, Exteriors and Vehicles. In addition, special search setups will allow your dog to begin to experience a variety of simple odor "puzzles" and help to build a strong foundation in the sport of Nose Work.
This is class number two in a series of six core Nose Work classes, all of which may be taken until the graduation criteria have been met. This class will continue to work with food and/or toys with a focus on handling skills, independent searching, and recognizing behaviors your dog uses to communicate that he is sourcing odor. We will use all four elements required in NACSW searches: Containers, Interiors, Exteriors and Vehicles. In addition, special search setups will allow your dog to begin to experience a variety of simple odor "puzzles" and help to build a strong foundation in the sport of Nose Work.
This class follows Nose Work Introduction and Nose Work Foundations. It is the third class in a series of six, any of which may be repeated until your dog meets the graduation criteria. Your dog will be introduced to the first target odor (Birch) used in NACSW and AKC searches. Student scenting kit (jar with Birch scented swabs, tweezers, slide tin, magnet) included in class fee.
NT203 Nose Work Introduction to Odor - Petaluma $275.00
This class follows Nose Work Introduction and Nose Work Foundations. It is the third class in a series of six, any of which may be repeated until your dog meets the graduation criteria. Your dog will be introduced to the first target odor (Birch) used in NACSW and AKC searches. Student scenting kit (jar with Birch scented swabs, tweezers, slide tin, magnet) included in class fee.
This class is for dogs who have completed Nose Work Introduction, Foundations, and Introduction to Odor. Class will focus on working with unpaired hides and becoming odor obedient on all three NACSW target odors (Birch, Anise and Clove) while continuing to improve handler skills through increased searching challenges. Class will use all four search elements: Container, Interior, Vehicle, and Exterior searches, which are required in a K9 Nose Work NW1 Trial. Final test to graduate to Nose Work Advanced is passage of mock ORT and instructor approval.
NT204 Nose Work Working with Odor - Petaluma $260.00
This class is for dogs who have completed Nose Work Introduction, Foundations, and Introduction to Odor. Class will focus on working with unpaired hides and becoming odor obedient on all three NACSW target odors (Birch, Anise and Clove) while continuing to improve handler skills through increased searching challenges. Class will use all four search elements: Container, Interior, Vehicle, and Exterior searches, which are required in a K9 Nose Work NW1 Trial. Final test to graduate to Nose Work Advanced is passage of mock ORT and instructor approval.
Take your scenting skills on the road by training in new and distracting environments. This class will focus on building your dog's confidence and drive for scenting while developing your handler skills through more complex searches. We will focus on all four search elements: Container, Interior, Vehicle, and Exterior searches to prepare you and your dog for K9 Nose Work trials. Most classes are off-site at various locations. Your dog must be comfortable car crating between searches and must be able to calmly work in public areas where there are people and other dogs. The dog must be under handler control at all times.
Build stronger, more confident container-searching skills! In this three-week class, we’ll use targeted exercises and creative setups to build clarity, encourage thoughtful searching, and strengthen confidence on both ends of the leash. Teams will work with a variety of container types and be introduced to common container distractions. Dogs should have completed an Intro to Odor class (or equivalent), and have experience searching closed boxes. Please note: This workshop is NOT designed for dogs currently working through box antics such as pawing, biting, or “box smashing.”
Continue building confident, thoughtful container-searching skills! In this three-week class, we’ll use targeted exercises and creative setups to further build clarity, strengthen independent searching, and increase confidence with more challenging container scenarios.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Container Confidence (Level 1) or instructor approval.
Build stronger, more confident interior-searching skills! In this three-week class, we’ll explore the unique challenges of interior searches through targeted exercises and creative setups. Teams will work on start-line routines, thresholds and corners, and navigating spaces of different sizes and configurations. Dogs should have completed at least one Working with Odor series (or equivalent) and be searching all three target odors: birch, anise, and clove. Searches will be NW2/NW3 parameters.
Build stronger, more confident vehicle-searching skills! In this class, teams will develop a dog-driven vehicle wrap while working a variety of vehicle configurations and odor puzzles. Emphasis will be on supporting independent searching, reading changes of behavior, and building confidence around vehicles. This class is appropriate for dogs who have completed at least one Working with Odor series and are searching independently for all three odors (birch, anise, and clove). Search setups will follow NW2/NW3 parameters.
NT401 Nose Work Odor Recognition Test Prep Workshop $75.00
Planning to enter the ORT hosted by Marin Humane on October 10 , 2026, or any ORT in the near future? An Odor Recognition Test (ORT) is the first required step in your trialing career with the National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW™). In this 90-minute workshop, we will cover what to expect at an ORT and how to best prepare your team. You will be able to experience a Mock ORT, including three timed tests with birch, anise, and clove. Feedback is available from the judge if you want, and questions are welcomed. Dogs must be proficient on birch, anise, and clove and have a beginning understanding of searching for target odor in containers. Class is held at our Novato campus in the Pavilion.
