Nose Work Training

Dogs have an amazing sense of smell and a natural desire to hunt. Through the use of treats in boxes we tap into this desire. Dogs will learn to search all areas independently and build strong problem-solving skills that will create a solid foundation prior to going onto track-specific odors. One thing that helps us accomplish this is by making Nose Work an obedience free zone.

Puppy Nose Work | Intro to Nose Work | Nose Work II | Nose Work III

Nose Work IV | Nose Work V | Instructors | Items to Bring to Class

Payment, Refund, and Cancellation Policy | Reserving a Spot in Nose Work Classes

Puppy Nose Work

Looking for a great way to keep your puppy busy? Why not try an activity for your pooch that’s both fun and mentally stimulating like Nose Work! Nose Work offers your puppy a fun outlet to utilize their natural ability/desire to hunt and find things. Teaching your puppy Nose Work is an easy way to keep them busy and entertained. It gives them not only mental stimulation, but also physical stimulation as well. Nose Work builds confidence, gives them a job to do and helps create a wonderful bond between owner and pup–all while being fun and rewarding. This 6-week class will introduce your puppy to the wonderful sport of Nose Work through a series of fun games. Class is geared towards puppies 4 months – 8 months of age. Owner(s) should bring plenty of good-quality, high-value treats.

Age Requirements: This class is designed for dogs between the ages of 4-months and 9-months old.

Vaccination & Health Requirements: Click here to view our vaccination requirements.

Cost: $200

Duration: 6-Classes/60-Minutes Each

Please note that in order for your dog to participate in this class they will need to be crated in-between turns on the course.

Class Schedule:

Schedule: TBD

How to Register: To begin the process of joining our training programs please fill out this Training Intake Form. Once you complete the form our training team will review and reach out to you with training and scheduling options. 

Intro to Nose Work

Dogs have an amazing sense of smell and a natural desire to hunt. Through the use of food (primary reward) in boxes we tap into this desire. Dogs will learn to search all areas independently and build strong problem solving skills which will create a solid foundation prior to going onto odor. One thing that will help us accomplish this is by making Nose Work an obedience free zone.

Nose work is a sport that any dog can do, whether young or old, fast or slow, building a good foundation of scent detection skills will enable them to successfully face new and greater challenges within the sport. This class provides mental stimulation, gives dogs a job, helps build confidence in dogs that may be more worried or environmentally sensitive and creates an amazing bond between the dog and handler. Whether you want to compete in the sport of nose work or just play the game, we will take you on a path of preparing you and your dog for competition.

Prior to moving on to the next level of class, your dog will be exposed to all elements which include, Exteriors, Interiors, Vehicles and Containers. Also keep in mind, that we will move along at your dogs’ pace, meaning it may take several sessions of Intro to Nose Work before moving them on to the next level.

Age Requirements: This class is designed for dogs ages 6-months or older.

Vaccination & Health Requirements: Click here to view our vaccination requirements.

Cost: $200

Duration: 6-Classes/60-Minutes Each

Please note that in order for your dog to participate in this class they will need to be crated in-between turns on the course.

Class Schedule: 

Sundays at 9:15am
Instructor: Sue Sentowski
Upcoming Class Dates: 1/19, 1/26, 2/2, 2/9, 2/16 & 3/2 (No Class 2/23)

Mondays at 3pm
Instructor: Robin Taylor
Upcoming Class Dates: 1/6, 1/13, 1/20, 1/27, 2/3 & 2/17 (No Class 2/10)
Link to register for this class: https://app.punchpass.com/org/8136/series/38079

Mondays at 6pm
Instructor: Rebekah Reynolds
Upcoming Class Dates: 1/20, 1/27, 2/3, 2/10, 2/17 & 2/24
Link to register for this class: https://app.punchpass.com/org/8136/series/38496

Mondays at 7:15pm
Instructor: Rebekah Reynolds
Upcoming Class Dates: 1/20, 1/27, 2/3, 2/10, 2/17 & 2/24
Link to register for this class: https://app.punchpass.com/org/8136/series/38497

Tuesdays at 4:15pm
Instructor: Robin Taylor
Upcoming Class Dates: 1/7, 1/14, 1/21, 1/28, 2/4 & 2/18 (No Class 2/11)
Link to Register for this Class: https://app.punchpass.com/org/8136/series/38074

Tuesdays at 5:30pm
Instructor: Robin Taylor
Upcoming Class Dates: 1/7, 1/14, 1/21, 1/28, 2/4 & 2/18 (No Class 2/11)
Link to Register for this Class: https://app.punchpass.com/org/8136/series/37057

Thursdays at 7:15pm
Instructor: Sue Sentowski
Upcoming Class Dates: 1/30, 2/6, 2/13, 2/27, 3/6 & 3/13 (No Class 2/20)

Notes: Dogs need to be able to be crated during class. Class is sometimes held at an offsite location near our facility.

How to Register: To begin the process of joining our training programs please fill out this Training Intake Form. Once you complete the form our training team will review and reach out to you with training and scheduling options. 

Nose Work II

This class allows us to continue to develop the strong foundation skills we have built in the Level 1 – Intro to Nose Work Class. Your dog will be introduced to its first target odor thru the use of pairing that odor with your dogs’ primary reward. We do this by going back to boxes. This should not be seen as taking a step back. Boxes are a main focal point throughout your dogs’ nose work journey and will be revisited from time to time. The boxes stimulate the dogs desire to find the target odor and increase drive.

At this level we will also focus on handling skills, handler strategies and observation skills within all elements.

Included at this level is preparation for an ORT (Odor Recognition Test) and starting your dog on their journey towards their NW1 title.

Age Requirements: This class is designed for dogs ages 6-months or older.

Vaccination & Health Requirements: Click here to view our vaccination requirements.

Cost: $200

Duration: 6-Classes/60-Minutes Each

Please note that in order for your dog to participate in this class they will need to be crated in-between turns on the course.

Class Schedule:

Sundays at 8:00am
Instructor: Sue Sentowski
Upcoming Class Dates: 1/19, 1/26, 2/2, 2/9, 2/16 & 3/2 (No Class 2/23)

Mondays at 4:15pm
Instructor: Robin Taylor
Upcoming Class Dates: 1/6, 1/13, 1/20, 1/27, 2/3 & 2/17 (No Class 2/10)

Thursdays at 6pm
Instructor: Sue Sentowski
Upcoming Class Dates: 1/30, 2/6, 2/13, 2/27, 3/6 & 3/13 (No Class 2/20)

Notes: Dogs need to be able to be crated during class. Class is sometimes held at an offsite location near our facility.

How to Register: To begin the process of joining our training programs please fill out this Training Intake Form. Once you complete the form our training team will review and reach out to you with training and scheduling options. 

Nose Work III

This level is for dog/handler teams preparing for their NW1. In this class we will continue to build on the foundation skills learned in Levels 1 and 2. A stronger emphasis will be given to handling skills, handler strategies and observation skills.

In addition to this, we will prepare the team for what to expect on the day of competition.

Classes will be held at Urban Pooch Training and Fitness Center or at a convenient location in the area.

Pre-requisite: all dogs must have had exposure to all the elements during the Level 2 – Building Skills with Odor class and be ready to compete in an Odor Recognition Test or instructor approval.

Age Requirements: This class is designed for dogs ages 6-months or older.

Vaccination & Health Requirements: Click here to view our vaccination requirements.

Cost: $200

Duration: 6-Classes/60-Minutes Each

Class Schedule: 

Thursdays at 8:30pm
Instructor: Sue Sentowski
Upcoming Class Dates: 1/30, 2/6, 2/13, 2/27, 3/6 & 3/13 (No Class 2/20)

Notes: Dogs need to be able to be crated during class. Class is sometimes held at an offsite location near our facility.

Pre-requisite: all dogs must have had exposure to all the elements during the Level 2 – Building Skills with Odor class and be ready to compete in an Odor Recognition Test or instructor approval.

How to Register: To begin the process of joining our training programs please fill out this Training Intake Form. Once you complete the form our training team will review and reach out to you with training and scheduling options. 

Nose Work IV

This Level is for those teams who have earned their NW1 title and are working towards their NW2 or NW3 titles.

We will focus on building endurance, large search areas, complex hide placements such as inaccessible hides and converging odors, more distractors, a better understanding of air flow, searching tight areas and knowing you have covered your search area with confidence.

For those dogs working towards their NW3 title, we will also focus on an unknown number of hides and blank interior rooms.

Age Requirements: This class is designed for dogs ages 6-months or older.

Vaccination & Health Requirements: Click here to view our vaccination requirements.

Cost: $200

Duration: 6-Classes/60-Minutes Each

Please note that in order for your dog to participate in this class they will need to be crated in-between turns on the course.

Class Schedule: Classes are temporarily suspended until Shelter-in-Place is lifted. We are doing various Online Dog Training Classes - you can find details here.

Notes: Dogs need to be able to be crated during class. Class is sometimes held at an offsite location near our facility.

Pre-requisite: All dogs must have earned their NW1 title or instructor approval.

How to Register: To begin the process of joining our training programs please fill out this Training Intake Form. Once you complete the form our training team will review and reach out to you with training and scheduling options. 

Nose Work V

This level is for those teams that have already earned an NW3 title and are working towards their Elite titles.

At this level it is important to have good communication between you and your dog. Team work is essential. Handlers also need to be able to think quickly on their feet.

Thru hide placement we will teach both the dog and handler how to understand multiple converging odors, air movement or lack of air movement, covering your search area in the time allowed, helping your dog make quicker decisions on inaccessible hides and closely placed hides, etc.

Building longer endurance times, as some searches could be up to 5 – 6 + minutes along with hides from 0 – 8 per search area, is also important.

At the elite level you will encounter ‘real life searches’. Areas can be either extremely small or extremely large. There are no real rules.

Pre-requisite: All dogs must have earned at least one NW3 title or instructor approval.

Age Requirements: This class is designed for dogs ages 6-months or older.

Vaccination & Health Requirements: Click here to view our vaccination requirements.

Cost: $200

Duration: 6-Classes/60-Minutes Each

Please note that in order for your dog to participate in this class they will need to be crated in-between turns on the course.

Class Schedule: Classes are temporarily suspended until Shelter-in-Place is lifted. We are doing various Online Dog Training Classes - you can find details here.

Notes: Dogs need to be able to be crated during class. Class is sometimes held at an offsite location near our facility.

Pre-requisite: All dogs must have earned at least one NW3 title or instructor approval.

How to Register: To begin the process of joining our training programs please fill out this Training Intake Form. Once you complete the form our training team will review and reach out to you with training and scheduling options. 

Instructors

Sue Sentowski

Our Nose Work instructor, Sue Sentowski, brings the knowledge and experienced she’s gained from training her own dogs to compete in dog sports like Agility, Rally, Dock Dive and Nose Work to her classes each day.

Sue is a Certified Nose Work Instructor (CNWI) with the National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW) and participates in Nose Work competitions with her dogs, Splash and C.J., both of whom are NW3 level.

Sue knows that participating in a training program that uses positive reinforcement is not only the best way to succeed in competition but is also essential to building a productive human-canine relationship.

Robin Taylor

Robin got started in dog training 10-years-ago when she adopted Dylan from the Anti-Cruelty Society. Because Dylan’s energy and drive needed an outlet, she got started in agility and nose work. Her second dog didn’t have the same drive for sports but loved people, which took them down the path of therapy dog work at grade school reading programs and in hospitals.

Today Robin is continuing her agility and nose work competition with her newest rescue dog, Kaiden, and is just starting to compete in agility with her young dog Raze, a border collie.

Robin believes that all dogs are individuals and need to be treated as such. Her objectives as a dog trainer are to teach her human students how to communicate clearly with their dog partners, be consistent in their communication, and enjoy the journey.

Items to Bring to Class

Please click HERE for a list of required and recommended items to bring to class.

Payment, Refund, and Cancellation Policy

Reserving A Spot & Initial Payment

Urban Pooch Training & Fitness Center cannot offer any refunds for training services at this time. All sales are final. 

Refund Policy: Urban Pooch Training & Fitness Center cannot offer any refunds for training services at this time. All sales are final. 

Reserving a Spot in the Nose Work Classes

Please note this section applies only to the following classes: Puppy Nose Work; Intro to Nose Work; Nose Work 2; and Nose Work 3; Nose Work 4 & Nose Work 5.

Due to the fact that students in these aforementioned classes often repeat the same class many times in a row before being able to move to a higher-level, we have a booking/scheduling policy that differs from our other class offerings. Students currently enrolled in an active class session will by default have their spot reserved for them in the next round of the same class/time/day until the 5th week of the current session. At that point students must inform UPTFC if they are continuing on in the following session or not. If they are, then payment in full is due to secure their spot.* If a student is not continuing, then we will begin the process of filling their spot for the subsequent round with another student. Please note that if a training student is taking a break from a specific class/time/day after repeating for several sessions, we cannot guarantee them a spot in a future class as most all of these classes reach the maximum amount of students and the student who takes their spot will then be afforded the same reservation system of having a spot reserved for them in subsequent sessions by default.

So, for example, let’s say you are a current student in the Thursday 8:30pm Masters Agility class with the following class dates: 4/18, 4/25, 5/2, 5/9, 5/16 & 5/23. When you arrive for week 5 of class (5/16), your instructor will take attendance and then ask you if you are continuing or not. They will then communicate that information to our Training Ambassador so we can begin to make the official roster for the next session. If you are continuing, payment is due that same day to officially lock in your spot in the following session.* If you are not continuing, then we will remove your default reservation for the subsequent rounds and, if there are students on the waitlist for that particular class/time/day, then we will begin contacting them to fill the now vacant spot. If you are not in attendance for week 5 of class, our training ambassador will reach out to you directly by phone as soon as possible. However, if no reply is given by the time week 6 of class (5/23) commences, then your spot in the subsequent round would be forfeited and we would begin the process of contacting potential students on the waitlist for class to fill the now open spot.

Please remember you can pay for any service either in person at our front desk or over the phone. If our front desk is closed at the time you normally attend class, you can always call the next day to give payment with a credit card over the phone.

*If for some reason a student is unable to pay that day we will grant them a 1-week grace period in which we will continue to hold their spot. However, if no payment is received by the time of week 6 of the current round of class, then the student will forfeit their spot in the next round. If there are potential students listed on the waitlist, then we will begin contacting them to fill the spot in the upcoming class session.