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Prerequisite:
Dogs must be at least 6 months of age, plus a SPDTC Membership. No training prerequisites.
Cost:
$150 per block, per dog
Monday Classes
Advanced~ 10:00-11:00
Advanced~ 11:15-12:30
Advanced~ 12:45-1:45
Advanced~ 2:00-3:00
Advanced~ 3:15-4:15
Advanced~ 4:30-5:30
Advanced~ 5:45-6:45
Wednesday Classes
Intermediate ~ 1:30-2:30
Intermediate ~ 2:45-3:45
Intermediate ~ 4:00-5:00
Beginning 1 ~ 5:15-6:15
Friday Classes
Beginning 1~ 11:00-12:00
Beginning 1~ 12:15-1:15
Beginning 1~ 1:30-2:30
Elite ~ 3:00-4:30
Saturday Classes
Beginning 1~ 8:45-9:45
Beginning 1~ 10:00-11:00
Beginning 1~ 11:15-12:30
2017 Monday
Class start dates:
January 30
March 20
May 8
July 31
October 2
November 20
2017 Wednesday
Class start dates:
February 8
April 5
May 17
June 28
August 16
Add'l TBD
2017 Friday
Class start dates:
January 27
March 31
June 2
July 28
October 6
December 15
2017 Saturday
Class start dates:
March 11
May 6
June 3
August 19
Please note, that the class schedule is subject to change, depending on the instructor's travel schedule.
Class size is limited to 4 dogs/class with a minimum of 3 dogs to hold a class. We have limited openings, and some of the new registrations will be added to the wait list.
You may register multiple dogs per class, as each dog is worked individually
To Learn more about K9 Nose Work, visit the official website.
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Beginning Nose Work
Dogs are introduced to the game through the use of boxes and a favorite toy or treat reward (bring a back-up toy, and plenty of treats). The goal of this class is to build the dogs' confidence to search and solve problems independently and to expose the dogs to various environmental challenges as they learn to focus on the search. Handlers get to learn the most effective methods for motivating their dogs to search independently, including the power of self-rewarding. This introductory class must be completed to advance to the next class level. For dogs and handlers just looking to enjoy the game at their own pace, this class may be repeated many times with adjustments to the difficulty level to keep the dog challenged and engaged. Students should plan to remain in Beginning Nose Work for multiple blocks as they work with their dog to build skills and confidence.
Intermediate Nose Work
Building upon the foundational skills from Beginning Nose Work, this class focuses on teaching the dogs to search for a special target odor (one of three essential oils used in K9 Nose Work). Dogs will learn to search expanded areas more effectively and handlers will learn valuable techniques for supporting their dogs in the search.
The intermediate level will also help dog & handler teams develop the skills required to successfully search areas with more difficult hide placements and with focus on the four elements of competition: container searches, interior, exterior, and vehicle searches. This course may also include introduction of the remaining two target odors.
Advanced Nose Work
Experienced dog and handler teams will find the challenges offered in this course highly rewarding. Dogs will be introduced to new and difficult search scenarios under the guidance of the instructor to ensure a positive learning experience. Handlers will focus on increasing their ability to support their dogs in the search through a greater understanding of the various factors affecting how scent moves.
Some of the things you will learn in K9 Nose Work classes:
- How to bring out your dog's hunting drive
- Using boxes to introduce dogs to scent detection
- The power of primary reward
- Observing your dog's signs when searching
- Searching interior, exterior, vehicle, and container elements
- Pairing a target odor(s)
- Handling skills
- How scent moves
- Proper reward delivery when searching for target odor
- Advanced scent detection skills, handling skills, and competition prep
About the Instructors:
Jeff McMahon is a certified trainer specializing in the activity and sport of K9 Nose Work. He and his rescue dog Muriel trained weekly with K9 Nose Work & National Association of Canine Scent Work (NASCW) co-founder Amy Herot for almost five years. Jeff & Muriel have earned multiple NW3 titles and were invited to the 2013 and 2014 NACSW National Invitational events.
In 2009 Jeff began a mentorship with world-renowned behavior specialist and K9 Nose Work founding instructor Penny Scott-Fox. Together Jeff & Penny brought K9 Nose Work to a wide variety of dogs and dog lovers. Since becoming a Certified Nose Work Instructor, Jeff has taken great pride in helping numerous dog and handler teams to grow their bond and find success in K9 Nose Work.
Jeff is an NACSW faculty member and trial certifying official, and travels around the country instructing nose work teams at seminars, workshops and camps. In addition to teaching and competing in K9 Nose Work, Jeff writes the official K9 Nose Work blog and edits the NACSW member newsletter. Jeff lives in Andover, MN with his wife, two kids and three dogs.
Yas Bakshian has been completely immersed into the world of K9 Nose Work since 2012 with her dog, Junuh, a Portuguese Water Dog. They have earned the NACSW Nose Work titles NW1 & NW2 and they are the 4th team in MN to earn their NW3 title with a 3rd place overall placement. And Junuh is the 11th PWD in the nation to achieve the NW3 title.
Yas owns The K9 Nose, a local MN company that is geared to all things nose work. Yas and Jeff co-hosted a weekend of NACSW Nose Work Trials in October of 2015; the 4th ever in MN! And Yas and the SPDTC co-hosted an ORT (Odor Recognition Test) in December of 2015, and she hosted a 2nd ORT in June of 2016.
In 2014, Yas began a mentorship with Jeff, acting as an assistant teacher in his nose work classes. She has also been teaching adults at the Science Museum of Minnesota since 2006 and will bring those skills to the nose work world.
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