- I don’t see any intro classes that fit my schedule! What do I do?
Don’t worry, I regularly add beginner classes. Send me your info via this form and you’ll be the first to hear when a new class becomes available. - I have a pug / tiny chihuahua / Saint Bernard / nontraditional working breed, would my dog still enjoy classes?
Nose work is an activity for all dogs! If your dog likes food, toys, or engaging with you, they are likely to enjoy the Sniffing 101 class. I’ve had many brachycephalic breeds in class that absolutely love it. Every breed is welcome. - My dog is dog-reactive; can I attend group classes?
In most cases, yes! Dogs work one at a time in all of my classes while other dogs are secured outside the building/search area. This allows each dog to focus on the task at hand. Thus, nose work classes can be wonderful for dogs with mild/moderate dog reactivity who would struggle in other group classes. That said, dogs on leash will still see one another from a distance (at least 10-15 feet) at the training site (in the parking lot, dog potty areas, etc.). For that reason, group classes may not be appropriate dogs with severe reactivity who have difficulty recovering from seeing a dog at such a distance. Group classes are also not a good fit for dogs that are reactive/aggressive toward humans. Auditing class and practicing at home or taking private lessons can be a great option. - Dogs have to wait in the car between turns? Is that safe?
Under most weather conditions and with appropriate care, it is perfectly safe for your dog to wait in the car with access to water. Our training sites have shaded areas available for parking and most have outdoor hose access if you prefer to wet your dog down. Classes will be rescheduled in the case of severe heat (usually >92 degrees) or cold (below freezing). Some dogs are more sensitive to heat/cold, in which case you may want to take extra precautions.
Travel classes/advanced drop-ins/trial events take place at locations that may not have shady parking, in which case handlers should consider bringing pop-up canopies, aluminet shade cloths, battery-operated fans, swamp coolers, or other options to create their appropriate shade and ventilation. - My dog has separation anxiety. Can I stay with them between searches?
There is a lot of important handler education that happens between searches, during discussion and watching other dogs work. Because of that, handlers need to be in the building for most of class, while dogs need to be waiting quietly in their car/crate outside. This can be a challenge for dogs with separation anxiety. Some people bring a family member to wait in the car with their dog–this can work very well. Otherwise, auditing classes or taking private lessons may be a good option, as is working through separation anxiety with a qualified trainer before attending a group class. - Does my dog need to be obedience trained before attending class?
Dogs should be potty trained; otherwise they don’t need any specific training before they come to scentwork classes. They do need to be safely under your control when on leash at the training site. It is helpful to have some recall, as they will be working off-leash indoors, but this can be lured (you will always have high-value treats/toys in class). - I just got a puppy! When can we start classes?
Congratulations on the new addition! Puppies can start foundation training games for scent work at any age; it’s a great form of enrichment for them. While I love having puppies in class, most of our training sites do not have secluded dog potty areas, so for safety’s sake, puppies should have completed their parvo/distemper vaccine series prior to attending group classes. If you’d like ideas on how to start your puppy sooner, email julia@scentwork.net - I’m interested in Search and Rescue with my dog/puppy! Should we start with nose work classes?
Search and Rescue (SAR) is an incredibly important community resource, and volunteers are desperately needed. Lane County SAR holds informational meetings each winter; more info can be found here. That said, becoming a SAR K9 team has stringent training and fitness requirements for both humans and dogs, and requires a considerable time commitment (starting with a 150-hour training course for the humans, typically followed by 1-2 years of volunteering with the K9 team before you can train a dog). While almost any dog can do scentwork, and many can become truffle or shed-antler hunting dogs, the reality is that very few dogs will successfully complete the training required to be a working SAR dog. SAR Dogs of the US provides a great article on this topic. An important thing to know is that most SAR organizations don’t allow prospective dogs to be cross-trained in scent sports like K9 Nose Work or truffle hunting. - My dog has food allergies. Is class safe for them?
Your dog will primarily be consuming whatever treats you bring to class. While I do my best to make group classes safe for dogs with food allergies, the nature of the activity means that your dog is likely to encounter crumbs or the occasional dropped treat from another dog/human (our classes take place in community spaces like churches, schools, and granges because they offer a better variety of real-life search environments for the dogs). This hasn’t been a problem for dogs with mild/moderate allergies. Class would not be safe for a dog who has anaphylactic reactions to certain foods. In that case, auditing and practicing at home would be the safest option. - My dog has a physical disability, can we still come to class?
In most cases, yes. Classes can be adapted in many ways for dogs with different capabilities. It is important, however, that any issues causing your dog pain be addressed with your veterinarian prior to attending class. If mobility is a major challenge for your dog and they cannot easily be carried or transported in a wheelchair/wagon, then auditing or private lessons may be the best option. - I have a disability. What sort of physical requirements are there for attending class?
The main requirement is that your dog is on leash and under control when getting in/out of the car and into the building. Dogs cannot be kept indoors while other dogs are working, so they need to be transported in and out of the building 2-4 times per class (distance varies). If mobility or physically controlling your dog is a challenge, it may be useful to bring a friend or family member with you for this task. You can still be the main handler of the dog during searches. At this time, all of our main training sites are wheelchair accessible; this may not always be the case for some travel classes or advanced drop-ins due to the nature of using real-life search environments. Sometimes shaded parking areas are only available in graveled/grassy areas a greater distance from the training building. Please email julia@scentwork.net prior to class so that appropriate accommodations can be arranged. - Can my spouse/family member attend class with me?
Yes, you are welcome to bring adult family members with you to class. Handlers and spectators should be 18 years or older.
K9 Nose Work® in Eugene, Oregon