Advanced K9 Nose Work

Advanced K9 Nose Work®

Lets learn to look for something more specific!

Introduction to Odour K9 Nose Work® with a great drive to hunt and all the foundation skills in hand, we get to the Odour part of nose work. It’s very important not to rush to this stage. Having solid skills and drive for the game is actually priceless. Now it’s time to combine everything you and your dog have learnt. Once we have this new understanding and our dogs have an understanding of these complex problems we have taught them we can really turn up the heat. With the understanding of odour we have increased opportunities to play and grow the game. This is about as close as it gets to detection dogs.

Advanced K9 Nose Work: From Mastering Skills to Competition
Advanced K9 Nose Work refines a dog’s ability to work independently in complex search environments, preparing teams for competition while making scent games more spontaneous and adaptable. At this level, searches become more unpredictable, incorporating multiple odour sources, inaccessible hides, converging odour pools, and environmental distractions like wind, temperature changes, and varying terrain. Dogs learn to problem-solve with greater efficiency, developing resilience and adaptability in any setting.
Taking Nose Work “on the road” introduces real-world search challenges, allowing teams to practice in diverse locations such as parks, parking lots, or unfamiliar buildings. This variability strengthens a dog’s confidence and deepens the handler’s ability to read subtle scenting behaviors.
For those pursuing competition, advanced Nose Work meets NACSW trial standards, where dogs demonstrate skill, accuracy, and focus under pressure. Whether training for trials or simply making games more spontaneous, advanced K9 Nose Work enhances teamwork and keeps learning engaging.