Anybody competing in Nosework?

[Mrs.K]

Would love to know more about the sport of nosework, itself. Anybody competing in it?

[DJEtzel]

I'm not, but I'd also love to hear more about competing...

Frag and I have been training in nosework for the last month and a half under a trainer that competes, but unfortunately there are no competitions in our area to try out. We just signed up for advanced nosework classes today.

[Chicagocanine]

Not yet but I did go to a class about it. It was basically a one-time class, they did an overview of what it was and then we got to try some beginners stuff with our dogs. I think Bianca was a little confused because she was trained in tracking and it's quite a different thing.

[DJEtzel]

Originally Posted by Chicagocanine

Not yet but I did go to a class about it. It was basically a one-time class, they did an overview of what it was and then we got to try some beginners stuff with our dogs. I think Bianca was a little confused because she was trained in tracking and it's quite a different thing.

Yes, my trainer told us tracking is a lot different. I'm not sure how tracking is trained at all, but I have heard that they are not allowed to take their noses off the ground? In nosework it is expected that they sniff throughout the air to find hides hidden higher up in rooms as well. Frag climbed a ladder a few weeks ago to find a scent.

[Mrs.K]

I found out that we have somebody right here in Watertown, a retired Statetrooper that is doing behavioral work and nosework with dogs. We met up today and I am seriously considering it with Yukon. He's too young not to do anything at all and I'd love to do with the two girls too but I don't know if that actually interferes with the SAR work?

National Association of Canine Scent Work

They use Birch, Anise and Clove...

[CynRes]

We've been in classes and practicing since last summer, and love, love, love it!! We have registered and will perform in our first ORT (Odor Recognition Test) next month.

[Mrs.K]

I am sitting in front of the shop and about to order the scent and the Kit.

[GatorDog]

I'm jealous! If it wouldn't mess with Aiden's tracking for Schutzhund then I'd definitely try it. It looks so cool!

Maybe the next dog. =P

[BlackthornGSD]

I don't think it would mess with schutzhund tracking, personally.

I wouldn't do it with a SAR dog because you want to know what they are indicating. Although, I think live find vs nosework would be a lot easier to combine than cadaver/HRD search work--especially if you use a refind in the live find training. I think HRD + nosework would actually compromise your credibility as a trained and certifiable dog team, unfortunately. (Considering HRD dogs sometimes have to work in law enforcement cases or maybe testify in court.)

[CynRes]

My instructor goes very slowly to ensure a great foundation and love of the search. We didn't start on odor until about four months. No obedience or commands were alowed, only positive reinforcement. It seemed kind of silly when we started, just searching for high value food in boxes, but he works amazingly now. One class series was called Ridiculous Boxes and the teacher did amazing mazes and access problems. My favorite class was when there were boxes hanging by string from the ceiling and they would twirl and swing as the dog was searching.

All I know is whenever Jake gets his harness on, he gets excited and I just come along for the fun!

I have no experience in Tracking, so I don't know how to compare the two. I'm sure it would help down the road...maybe not training the two at the same time...but, the dog gains confidence in his nose and I learn how to read my dog.

I'm sure you will have a blast! If you are the same as me, anything I do with my dog is fun and a great bonding experience.