Nov21–22Sat–Sun
NACSW NW1 & NW2 Trial
Containers, interiors, exteriors and vehicles at the NW1 and NW2 levels. Volunteers needed.
Waitlist openWhereSearch RoomsWaitlist open
Nose Work
Find a hidden target odor in boxes, rooms, vehicles and outdoors. Any dog, including shy, reactive, senior and physically limited dogs.
Player stats
Energy2
Speed1
Brain work5
Joint impact1
Search RoomsWhat is nose work?
The game, explained
Nose work turns your dog's best sense into a sport. Dogs learn to find a target odor (birch, then anise, then clove) hidden in boxes, rooms, vehicles and outdoor areas, and to tell you “it's here.” You learn to read your dog and stay out of the way.
It is quiet, low-impact and built for every dog. Shy dogs gain confidence, reactive dogs work one at a time, and senior dogs keep their brains busy. The Search Rooms and vehicle bay let us run all four search elements indoors all year.
- Youngest start
- 4 months
- Good for seniors?
- Yes, it's a favorite for senior dogs
- Best for
- Any dog, including shy, reactive, senior and physically limited dogs.
- We host
- NACSW (National Association of Canine Scent Work) trials
How a run works
Four steps to a Q
Here is what happens from the moment you walk into the ring.
Pick the element
Containers, interiors, exteriors or vehicles. Each one is its own search.
Dog leads the search
Your dog works on a harness and leash while you follow and stay quiet.
Call the alert
When your dog shows you the source, you call “Alert!” to the judge.
Find every hide
Find all hides inside the time limit to pass. Pass every element to title.
Your path
Nose Work, Level 1 to 4
Six-week sessions for Levels 1–3. Level 4 is ongoing team training by coach invite.
1Level 1 · 6 weeks
Foundations
Food hides in boxes to build a strong, happy hunt.
2Level 2 · 6 weeks · repeat
Skills
Birch odor, pairing, and container and interior searches.
3Level 3 · 6 weeks · repeat
Trial Prep
Anise and clove, exteriors, vehicles, blind hides and ORT prep.
4Level 4 · Ongoing · invite
Competition Team
NW1 to Elite trial team, with a coach at every trial.
Scoreboard
Nose Work classes this week
Session starts November 9. Members book from their dashboard; everyone else can register online.
Nose Work · weekly
Spots left this session · Full = join the waitlistRegister for a class →
Your coach
Led by Tom
Nose Work Lead
Tom Sandoval
With Pickle, Beagle · NW3 Champion, Elite division (NACSW)
Tom found nose work when his first Beagle was too reactive for group classes. Ten years later he's a certified NACSW instructor, runs our nose work trials and teaches the Friday Senior Nose Work class.
All coachesWhat to bring
- A comfortable back-clip harness for searching
- A flat collar and a 6–10 ft leash
- Very tasty, soft treats
- A crate or car to rest in between turns
Quick questions
Is nose work OK for a reactive dog?
Yes. Dogs search one at a time and rest in crates or cars between turns, so they never share space. It's one of the best confidence builders we teach.
Do you use real drugs or explosives?
No. Target odors are essential oils (birch, anise and clove) on cotton swabs, stored in sealed tins.
On the calendar
Nose Work trials & events
Feb27Sat
Odor Recognition Tests (ORT)
Birch, anise and clove ORTs. Pass the ORT to enter NACSW trials at that level.
Entries open Jan 15WhereSearch RoomsEntries open Jan 15
Apr10–11Sat–Sun
The All-Star Games
Our member field day: seven sports, team colors, a relay in every ring and a cookout on the fields.
Members only · FreeWhereWhole campusMembers only · Free
Apr17–18Sat–Sun
NACSW NW3 & Elite Trial
The top levels of nose work, with blind hides across all four elements.
Entries open Mar 1WhereSearch Rooms + Vehicle BayEntries open Mar 1
Not sure it'snose work?
Take the quiz to see how nose work ranks for your dog, or try the next sport in the lineup: Flyball.