K9 NOSEWORK
Nose Work is a relatively new dog sport inspired by scent detection trainers and their desire to create an activity that encourages dogs to use their innate hunting and scenting abilities. Whatever the age and ability of your dog, or you, nose work is an engaging and fun activity!
Designed by the founders to be all-inclusive for both people and dogs:
- Nose work is a great activity for confidence building. Your dog will learn to build independence and develop problem-solving skills by using their amazing, expert nose!
- For you, the handler, no special training is required. It is a low-impact sport.
- You can do nose work classes just for fun or to prepare for competition.


INTRODUCTION TO K9 NOSE WORK
Workshop - 1 hr - Sunday 5/7/2023 @ 12:00 PM SouthPaws Doggie Daycare, Pembroke - Maureen Dwyer KPA-CTP CNWI
This is your first step into the world of scent work. This class will showcase how your dog uses their incredible sense of smell to locate food hidden in a box. Nose Work will build confidence in your dog, while expending mental and physical energy too! This is an opportunity for you to learn to read your dog’s body language and watch your dog have fun in this obedience-free zone! Working with boxes, builds the foundation that allows you and your dog to solve more complex search problems in the future. **Requirements: A large quantity and variety of treats will be needed to “load” the search box. Small, soft pieces work best.
INTRODUCTION TO ODOR
Tthis is where we introduce the odors used in K9 Nose Work. The course builds on all the foundation exercises from Intro to K9NW but with odor. Typically, the first target odor (Birch) is used during the term of this course. The concept of pairing is introduced which served to condition the dog to odor and to develop good sourcing through self-reward. The searches may expand in difficulty such as into other rooms and outdoors.
CONTINUING NOSE WORK
SATURDAY 5/6/2023 @ 10:15 AM SOUTHPAWS DOGGIE DAYCARE, PEMBROKE – MAUREEN DWYER KPA-CTP CNWI
The pre-requisite for this class is the completion of Intro to NW and Intro to Odor. This class advances the handler’s techniques and includes searches in each of the four trial elements (containers, vehicles, exteriors, interiors). The second (Anise) and third (Clove) odors will be introduced.
ADVANCED NOSE WORK
THURSDAY 4/20/2023 @ 6:30 PM SOUTHPAWS DOGGIE DAYCARE, PEMBROKE – MAUREEN DWYER KPA-CTP CNWI THURSDAY 4/20/2023 @ 7:30 PM SOUTHPAWS DOGGIE DAYCARE, PEMBROKE – MAUREEN DWYER KPA-CTP CNWI
Requirements for this class include dogs on three odors, experience with containers, interiors, exteriors, vehicles, and blind hides both indoors and outside. Focus will be on handler skills, technique, and increased difficulty of hides.
Agility Foundations
LENGTH: 5 WEEKS COST: $225
Whether you want to compete, build confidence, or just have fun, this class is for you. Each week we will work on foundation exercises and introduce different agility obstacles. This is a basic introductory course with a focus on safety for various agility equipment including tunnels, jumps, weaves, and platforms, along with improving attention to you, the handler, in a distracting, excitable atmosphere.
Agility Foundations - Level 1:
TUESDAY 5/9/2023 at 6:00PM - PAWSitively Obedient, Hanover - Nancy Melvin

Course prerequisites: Dogs must respond well to cues such as sit, down, stay and demonstrate basic attention and loose leash walking in controlled environments. Dogs must have completed either Puppy Kindergarten level 2 or Good Manners level I, or have approval from a trainer. Dogs should be well-socialized and be able to work and focus in a group environment that includes other dogs and people. Agility is a physically demanding sport, this class may not be safe for dogs whose growth plates haven’t closed. Because of this, your dog should be over 6 months of age and current on vaccines.
RALLY FOUNDATIONS
LENGTH: 5 WEEKS COST: $225
Rally uses basic obedience moves to navigate a "course" laid out with signs. The handler/dog team will learn the Rally signs over the course of the 6 week class. These signs are just a combination of sits, downs, and heeling. Rally is a fun and exciting way to promote a positive working relationship between handler and dog with the chance to earn AKC titles. As always you can just take this class for a great night out with your dog!

This introductory class presents the basic skills needed for success in the Rally ring, including attentive heeling, pace changes, position changes, fronts and finishes, and pivot work (teaches a dog rear foot awareness). Using fun, positive training techniques, this class will build teamwork between handler and dog in a supportive environment. We will start to introduce the Novice level signs/exercises and we will start running mini courses.
Communication between handler and dog is encouraged and perfect heel position is not required, but there should be a sense of teamwork between the dog and handler. The main objective of rally is to produce dogs that have been trained to behave in the home, in public places, and in the presence of other dogs, in a manner that will reflect positively on the sport of rally at all times and under all conditions.
Course prerequisites: Dogs must respond well to cues such as sit, down, stay and demonstrate basic attention and loose leash walking in controlled environments. Dogs must have completed Good Manners level II, or have approval from a trainer. Dogs should be well-socialized and be able to work and focus in a group environment that includes other dogs and people. Your dog should be over 6 months of age and current on vaccines.