Nosework Training Newcastle

Canine Nosework or sometimes called Canine Scentwork is a fun and engaging scent detection activity designed for pet dogs and their owners. It teaches dogs to search for specific odours and find the source in various environments.

Starting with their favorite food or toy, pet dogs can gradually progress to finding target scents—birch, anise, and clove. This fun and rewarding activity not only enhances a dog's natural abilities but also strengthens the bond between dog and handler through teamwork and scent detection activities.

It is very similar to the work that scent detection dogs do, however this sport is for owners and their pet dog.

Your dog does not need any previous training to do this sport. None at all. That’s the fantastic thing about this activity! It is also an obedience free activity. No obedience behaviours are required or allowed in the sport.

All dogs!!! Yes, that’s right! Puppies, old dogs, young dogs, blind dogs, deaf dogs, reactive dogs, fearful dogs, dogs with lots of energy, dogs who are bored. All dogs can do this sport.

All your dog need’s is their nose. That’s it!

Nosework uses your dog’s brain. This requires lots of mental energy. Our dogs have become unemployed, so Nosework gives them a job to do. You can do this activity with your dog when you get home, when you go out, you can do Nosework almost anywhere, anytime! This is a fun, lifelong activity for your dog.

You dog will learn to search for a specific odour and find the source of that odour in real world environments. In our classes, dogs work one at a time and rest in between so they can process the search. This means that reactive, shy, or fearful dogs can enjoy this class too. We use positive reinforcement in this class.

At the beginning, we start with your dog searching for some really yummy food like BBQ chicken, cheese, cabanossi or whatever else your dog really loves. We can also use favourite items that your dog loves like a toy.The searches are usually completed indoors first and then we move outdoors.

You will learn to read your dog’s body language, hunting style and signals you’re your dog has detected an odour and then when they have found an odour. You are there to learn from your dog and to support your dog in the searches. You will improve your handling and observational skills as time goes on. During the search, the owner does very little other than to follow the dog, make sure they don’t get in the way and the leash doesn’t get tight. The dog knows more than we do in this activity.Always remember, we are the students and your dog is the teacher!

This class can help all dogs. It helps reactive dogs learn to focus on finding the scent instead of reacting to other dogs. It helps fearful and shy dogs become more confident with the environment knowing that when we go out, we are hunting. It can help hyperactive dogs get energy out and focus on a task. It also gives older dogs a gentle activity to do whilst continuing to use their brains. A dog never stops learning! But this is really for any dog. Your dog doesn’t have to be reactive, shy, fearful or old. Any dog will benefit from this dog training class including puppies!

• Your dog and yourself
• A flat buckle collar or harness (no choker chains, martingale collars, slip
  collars etc)
• Minimum 6-foot leash (no retractable leashes please)
• Delicious food that we can use for your dog to find in the search.