K9NW Classes
Class Summary table
The maximum enrollment in classes is seven participants.
Dogs search one at a time and need to remain in your vehicle safely while not searching. There is no dog-to-dog contact ever!
This allows all dogs and their handlers to feel safe and less anxious about any kind of run-ins with other dogs.
Class Descriptions
More information about the classes mentioned above:
Intro to Nosework
In the Intro to Nose Work course, we talk about the philosophy of K9NW, the importance of embracing the journey and enjoying every moment of learning with your dog. Allowing your dog to learn on their terms using their natural abilities, especially their amazing olfactory sense!
The foundation method of K9NW begins with high-value food known as the primary reinforcer. This component is the basis for building your dog's hunt drive, independence and confidence!
Intro to Nose Work is about using your dog’s instincts to hunt and forage for food. The goal is to build their natural desire to hunt using their favourite treat as their primary reward. It is a natural game of hide and seek, we use a variety of boxes to give context to this game. Your dog searches boxes for their primary reward, which builds your dog’s hunt-prey drive! This sport is dog-led, meaning that your dog is in charge; they have their superpower, their nose! This sport is like no other, it builds a strong bond between you and your dog.
Intro to Odour
Intro to Odour is a continuation of the foundation work completed from Intro to Nose Work. All the steps that were a part of Intro to Nose Work are repeated to build an association with odour through pairing and self-reward. The foundation of boxes helps the dog make an easy and clear connection between the target odour and reward. We do this by having the dog find its reward next to the target odour (wintergreen), which is in a small metal box. Dogs learn that odour pays. We are building value for something that they don’t have value for yet. We take our time and keep the game fun for the dogs!
The goal
At the end of both sets of six-week classes, Intro to Nose Work and Intro to Odour, the handler and their dog have become a team. The handler understands the concepts of Nose Work and their dog is confident in its natural ability to find odour.
Continuing Classes
Continuing classes keep building on the foundation work done in Intro to Nosework and Intro to Odour. Classes are held in a variety of different locations that are safe and challenging for dogs and handlers. These classes are a great way to continue nose work, stay connected with new friends and have fun learning in a safe environment!
