Course Length: 5 weeks
Cost: $265
Class duration: 65 min/50 min
Enrollment limit: 6 students/4 students
K9 Nose Work® is a fun activity for dogs of all ages, sizes, and levels of physical ability. In K9 Nose Work® dogs use their noses to lead the search, learning independence and confidence, while burning mental and physical energy. This 5 week rewards-based class will teach you and your dog how to play a game that encourages and develops your dog’s natural scenting abilities by using their desire to hunt and their love for food and/or toys. In Intro to K9 Nose Work®, we utilize cardboard boxes to cultivate your dog’s seeking and hunting behaviors and as a way to control the environment and to help your dog to focus. Handlers through observation will learn to read and understand subtle dog body language and learn leash handling skills that support their dog to search effectively and efficiently.
This class is repeatable until you and your dog meet graduation goals.
Prerequisite: Dogs must be at least 6 months old at the start of class. This class is suitable for all dogs but your dog must be crate trained*, as all dogs must be confined when not working. Crating from your car is not allowed. We are able to accommodate dogs who are not social with other dogs provided they are crate trained. Please contact us prior to registration if your dog has shown any aggression towards dogs or humans.
*Crate trained- Dogs should be comfortable being crated with you nearby or separated from you for short periods of time. Dogs showing stress/barking may be asked to leave.
Videotaping: For NACSW℠ educational and instructor certification purposes, some of the classroom activities may be videotaped. To participate in this class, you will be asked to acknowledge a photo or videotape release. No photos or video recordings will be shared on social media.
Instructor: Liz Armstrong, CPDT-KA, CPCFT, CNWI.
K9 Nose work® CLASSES
BEFORE YOU REGISTER FOR A CLASS, please refer to our Important Info page.
INTRO TO K9 Nose work®
Upcoming Sessions:
Saturdays @ 3:30pm
Saturdays @ 4:30pm
Class meets on: 1/4, 1/18 (MLK weekend), 1/25, 2/1 and 2/15 (Presidents’ weekend).
No Class 1/11 & 2/8.
These sessions have SOLD OUT.
If you would like to receive registration and upcoming class session information, please fill out our CLASS INTEREST FORM .
INTRO TO odor
Course Length: 5 weeks
Cost: $280 (includes scenting kit)
Class duration: 50 min
Enrollment limit: 5 students
This class advances the skills learned in Intro to K9 Nose Work® and introduces your dog to their first target odor, Birch (an essential oil). Using boxes, we will pair target odor with your dog’s primary reward. We will introduce exteriors, a new search element, and more odor puzzles to enhance you and your dog’s nose work skills. A student starter scenting kit (jar of birch scented Q-tip, 2-slide tin with magnets, clip on plastic hide and tweezer) is included in the class fee.
Prerequisites: Graduated Intro to K9 Nose Work® or by instructor approval. Dogs must be crate trained*. Bring your own crate or arrive early to move a crate onto the floor. No car crating allowed. Dogs showing stress/barking may be asked to leave.
*Crate trained- Dogs should be comfortable being crated with you nearby or separated from you for short periods of time.
Videotaping: For NACSW℠ educational and instructor certification purposes, some of the classroom activities may be videotaped. To participate in this class, you will be asked to acknowledge a photo or videotape release. No photos or video recordings will be shared on social media.
Instructor: Liz Armstrong, CPDT-KA, CPCFT, CNWI.
Upcoming Sessions:
Saturdays @ 5:30pm
Class meets on 1/4, 1/18 (MLK weekend), 1/25, 2/1 and 2/15 (Presidents’ weekend); no class on 1/11 and 2/8.
Please email info@ggdogsports to sign up for these classes.
Intro to Odor 2 & Elements
Course Length: 5 weeks
Cost: $265
Class duration: 50 min
Enrollment limit: 5 students
In this class your dog will transition from searching for birch odor paired to unpaired. We will cultivate your dog’s desire to get to odor and build towards odor obedience. Once your dog has attained fluency on birch, other target odors are introduced. Two new search elements- vehicle and containers will be introduced. Class will focus on exposing your and your dog to different, more challenging odor puzzles in all elements-interiors, exteriors, containers and vehicles. This class will continue on improving leash handling and observation skills. This class is appropriate for teams with or without competitive goals.
Prerequisites: Graduated Intro to Odor or by instructor approval.
Dogs must be crate trained*. Bring your own crate or arrive early to move a crate onto the floor. No car crating allowed. Dogs showing stress/barking may be asked to leave.
*Crate trained- Dogs should be comfortable being crated with you nearby or separated from you for short periods of time.
Videotaping: For NACSW℠ educational and instructor certification purposes, some of the classroom activities may be videotaped. To participate in this class, you will be asked to acknowledge a photo or videotape release. No photos or video recordings will be shared on social media.
Instructor: Liz Armstrong, CPDT-KA, CPCFT, CNWI.
Upcoming Sessions:
Wednesdays @ 10am (1/8- 2/5)
Sundays @ 5:30pm (1/5-2/9), no class 1/19
Sundays @ 6:30pm (1/5-2/9), no class 1/19
Please email info@ggdogsports to sign up for these classes.
about your instructor
Liz Armstrong is a Certified Nose Work Instructor (CNWI) with the National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW) and a certified professional dog and canine fitness trainer. She has been participating in K9 Nose Work classes since 2022 and participates in NACSW and AKC trialing events.
