New Sport: K9 Nose Work

[BowWowMeow]

I read about this in the Whole Dog Journal and it sounds like a blast. I am going to start some of the exercises with Rafi. Evidently it is a fantastic confidence builder for shy and abused dogs too!!!!

It looks like right now the only classes are in CA, CO, MA, NM & WA. Hopefully more people will get certified soon!

I found a little info and a couple of videos:

http://www.funnosework.com/
http://www.dogstardaily.com/blogs/ge...rted-nose-work

http://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/d...ting-nose-work
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rE2yYq6wN38

[BowWowMeow]

Bumping so that people can see this!!!!!

[onyx'girl]

I saw that too in the WDJ, It looks like it will be popular for all types of dogs,when trainers start holding classes.

[Martie]

I was very interested in this article in WDJ - a GREAT publication, btw.

A couple of weeks ago, Luther gave me a taste of tracking. We walk on a very large looping trail on the farm every day (he is on a 50' line). As we came around a bend, I saw a rabbit run across the trail up ahead. Luther did not see it. When we got to where the rabbit was, Luther caught the scent. His head went down - his nose started going - and he became a tracking machine! He tracked that rabbit for about 200 feet - never lifting his nose from the ground and very, very excited. I called him off in order to save the rabbit, but realized that some kind of tracking/nose work would be great for him.

I've actually been doing some research on tracking/nose games, etc. and was so glad to see this article. I have arthritis and know it would be challenging/painful to get through long tracks, but K9 Nose Work might just fill the bill. We will start some exercises and hope a class will be offered soon somewhere in WNY!

[BowWowMeow]

Originally Posted By: MartieI was very interested in this article in WDJ - a GREAT publication, btw.

A couple of weeks ago, Luther gave me a taste of tracking. We walk on a very large looping trail on the farm every day (he is on a 50' line). As we came around a bend, I saw a rabbit run across the trail up ahead. Luther did not see it. When we got to where the rabbit was, Luther caught the scent. His head went down - his nose started going - and he became a tracking machine! He tracked that rabbit for about 200 feet - never lifting his nose from the ground and very, very excited. I called him off in order to save the rabbit, but realized that some kind of tracking/nose work would be great for him.

I've actually been doing some research on tracking/nose games, etc. and was so glad to see this article. I have arthritis and know it would be challenging/painful to get through long tracks, but K9 Nose Work might just fill the bill. We will start some exercises and hope a class will be offered soon somewhere in WNY!

Maybe we should start our own group! All of my dogs have been excellent trackers. My favorite indoor game is one where I put them in a stay and leave the room and hide their toy. It's fascinating to watch them search b/c almost all of them have used their nose more than their eyes. Since they follow my scent I make the game more difficult by laying a false track--walking around to different places before or after I hide the toy. I also make the hiding places more and more difficult too.

Reading about this sport has given me more ideas for modifying the game.

[Martie]

Originally Posted By: BowWowMeowMaybe we should start our own group! All of my dogs have been excellent trackers. My favorite indoor game is one where I put them in a stay and leave the room and hide their toy. It's fascinating to watch them search b/c almost all of them have used their nose more than their eyes. Since they follow my scent I make the game more difficult by laying a false track--walking around to different places before or after I hide the toy. I also make the hiding places more and more difficult too.

Reading about this sport has given me more ideas for modifying the game.

I would love to participate in a group. Since there are no certified instructors anywhere near here (or most places, it seems), I wonder if one of those far-away ones would be willing to coach us online if the NACSW would approve. This might allow people in other areas to participate as well - at least until local instructors are available anyway.

Is anyone else interested?

Resisting the urge to impulse-buy a bottle of sweet birch oil....

[DancingCavy]

This sounds great. I can imagine Risa getting into something like this. She really enjoys walking nose to the ground and has always enjoyed our annual Easter Egg Hunt. Hmmm. . .

[Fodder]

if sally/valleydog runs into this thread... she can give some good insight. her dog molly has been doing the fun nose work for quite awhile now and her trainer mentioned her to be one of the best in the class.

[BowWowMeow]

Originally Posted By: Murphy-ElperroguapoThis sounds great. I can imagine Risa getting into something like this. She really enjoys walking nose to the ground and has always enjoyed our annual Easter Egg Hunt. Hmmm. . .

I bet this would be a big confidence builder for Risa! The WDJ had a bunch of stories about dogs who had serious confidence issues and who were like different dogs after doing this work!

[DancingCavy]

I really need to subscribe to WDJ. I keep forgetting to. . .

And I know I missed the really good article on super-socialization in the June issue. Still kicking myself.