Is Your Dog Ready for an Adventure?
Get ready for a fun filled adventure with your dog. Enroll in Nose Work
Class and embark on an exciting journey of discovery and bonding.
About Nose Work Classes
K9 Nose Work® is an engaging scent detection activity tailored for dogs, emphasizing their natural ability to use their noses. Our classes mimic professional scent dog training (e.g., drugs, bombs) but in a recreational context. We start our journey using primary (food) and work up to searching for essential oils (birch, anise, and clove) across the four elements, including containers, interiors, exteriors, and vehicles; all dogs regardless of breed, age, or temperament can participate. Unlike professional scenarios, there’s no pressure here—just pure enjoyment for everyone involved.
Nose Work is an ideal bonding experience for you and your furry friend, with optional competitive events available. Our positive reinforcement approach ensures your dog associates K9 Nose Work® with fun, building their confidence and independent work ethic. Each dog works solo during classes, accommodating those with social issues or special needs.
Starting with Introduction to Nose Work, Levels 1 and 2, and progressing to Introduction to Odor, our sessions lay the groundwork for understanding the activity and sport. Continuing classes refine handling skills, deepen your bond with your dog, and can even prepare you for competition.
The benefits of Nose Work include mental stimulation, confidence building, and independent thinking.
Learn more about Nose Work here. (create a link to the about page nose work section)
Ready to be amazed by your four-legged team member and have a ton of fun?
Contact us today for current class availability.
Our Classes
Our K9 Nose Work® classes are designed for dogs of all breeds, ages, and temperaments. We celebrate the unique qualities of each dog and provide a supportive environment for all. Whether your dog is just starting or has advanced training, we offer personalized programs for every team, guided by a positive reinforcement training philosophy.
Class Schedule
Our group classes are available on various days and times throughout the week, offering flexible scheduling to ensure all pet owners can take advantage of our innovative K9 Nose Work® programs. We understand that your schedule is busy, and we’re here to make it easy for you to participate.
Intro to K9 Nose Work,
Levels 1 & 2:
Group class – (5 max): An introduction to the new and exciting dog sport of K9 Nose Work®. Based on professional detection dog techniques, K9 Nose Work® is fun for dogs of all ages and personalities. Dogs search for their favorite food or toy reward hidden in various environments. It is a terrific way to allow your dog to have fun, build confidence, and burn mental and physical energy. Handlers will start to see and learn how to read their dog’s body language when working scent.
Prerequisite: The dog must be comfortable in a car or crated away from the handler while other dogs work.
Intro to Odor Level 1
Group Class (5 max): This class introduces the dog to the odor of birch oil while pairing it with food. In this session, we build a solid search foundation by associating food and odor. As the odor increases in value to the dog, the hides get more complex. At this level, we introduce containers and interiors.
Prerequisite: Teams must have completed Intro to Nose Work,
Levels 1 & 2.
Intro to Odor Level 2
Group Class (5 max): This class continues with birch oil and introduces the dog to the odor of anise and clove.
Prerequisite: Teams must have completed Intro to Odor, Level 1
Continuing Odor - Group Class
Challenge your dog with complex searches, multiple hides, and distractions.
The class emphasizes building the dog/handler relationship and instilling persistence in the dog while searching. It will also include further development of handler skills for on- and off-leash work and reading the search area. This level will involve more complex searches, including blind hides (unknown to the handler) in all four working elements: interior, exterior, containers, and vehicles.
If you aspire to compete with your dog, after this level, teams may be ready to compete in an Odor Recognition Test (ORT), a requirement for trials. However, competition is not required. Teams can play Nose Work games purely for fun and the enjoyment of working together.
Workshops and Specialty Classes
K9 Genie offers a variety of nose work workshops designed to help teams excel in all elements and areas of K9 Nose Work®.
Trial Prep Classes
ORT
NW1
NW2
Private Lessons
When either the handler or the dog needs a little extra attention on handler skills, specific search elements (interior, exterior, containers, and vehicles), environmental sensitivity, or if you just prefer individual instruction.
Drop In Sniff N Go Field Trips
- Introduce your dogs to new sniffing environments and adventures.
- Sessions include skill reviews for dogs on primary or odor.
- These are offered a couple of times a month at various locations.
Ready, set, sniff! Nose work fun starts here!
