July 27: Intro Canine Nosework Class at PetUtopia

You may have heard people talking about Canine  Nosework classes, so I wanted you to see for yourself what it’s like.  These pictures were taken in our Tuesday night canine Nosework class, taught by Joyce Biethan, at PetUtopia.  John, Joyce’s brother, photographed the dogs at work in the class. Thanks, John, you captured some great shots!

This is the basic first level course, where the dogs find their own treats. As they advance they totally lose the treats, and go just for a scent, but we are just starting out. Treats are the prize in each find tonight!

Almost all the fixtures in the store are mobile, so before class starts we clear out the front of the store to create a working area.  Since only one dog works at a time, the other dogs are kept separate in crates at the back of the store,  in their car (when it’s cool enough), or in Jake’s case, behind the gate in the register area.

Joyce sets a running order, taking into account any special considerations, like a reactive dog, etc.  We give her the treats, and she pulls them out as each dog steps up to work.  The rest of us are the cheering section, sitting comfortably in chairs around the room.

Joyce sets the running order, and sorts out whose treats are whose.

Each dog gets 3 – 4 ‘finds’ each run, and at least 3 runs each class. They get faster at finding their treats each week, even though the ‘finds’ get harder each week, so Joyce has been adding runs, or different criteria for us.

First up is Angus.  I love watching his little nubbin of a tail as he searches throughout the store for his treats!

Annie just holds the leash and follows Angus on his first run.

As you can see in the photo above, boxes are spread all over the front of the store, and at times, through the rest of the store as the finds get harder.

Only one box has Angus’ treats in it.  He has to find the right box.

It’s so much fun to watch the various techniques each dog uses to find their treats.  Next up is Badger. Badger is a senior dog, but still enjoys ‘the hunt’!

It’s a good thing he can’t read, but at least we can keep track of which box has the treats in it!

Joyce has started including different elevations, and Badger finds his treats even though they have been moved up onto a chair.

Sometimes the box is on its side, and the dog has to figure out how to get into it in order to get the treats out.

Next dog up is Fynn. Jake loves playing with Fynn before class, but once class starts, it’s all business. These dogs get very focused!

Fynn is on the hunt!

Often Joyce will move boxes around the room while the dog is searching, but that doesn’t distract Fynn from his search!

Jake is up next.  Jake is also a senior dog, but truly enjoys this class.

The pink bin in the background has been distracting the dogs each week.
Joyce worked with that distraction, and placed a box nearby.

Jake is wearing the Wonder Walker harness, so I can attach the leash at the top, which prevents the leash from interfering with his search.

Katie is up next. Katie is just as intense with this sport as she is with all the other sports that she competes in!

Katie races about the room during her search for treats.

Tyler the Pug is up next. You can definitely tell when he is on to the scent because he snorts through his little button nose!

Tyler is very methodical in his search.  You can see him literally spiral in on the box with his treats in it.

Mom helps Tyler get the treats down from the chair. Once we know the dog has truly found their treats, we can help them get the box open.

I was concerned that the various odors in the store would be a hindrance to the dogs, but Joyce said actually that would be a benefit in this class.

Tyler totally ignores the bags of dog food while searching.

Zelda is the last dog, but she’s spectacular in this class! Zelda is a Pharoah Hound – emphasis on ‘hound’ in this class!

Zelda quickly eliminates all the wrong boxes ….

And zooms straight in on the box with her treats!

Once every dog has had a run, we start all over again. We can all see that the dogs improve with each run. It’s amazing to watch their styles!  It’s also very helpful to have Joyce guiding us through this process.  Jake literally gave up and sat down in front of me during one run. I thought he was getting tired.  Joyce suggested I take him out for a potty break, and sure enough that was the problem! He perked right up on the next run.  She told us sometimes they just can’t focus if they have to relieve themselves.  Here I thought it was his other end just not working correctly!

We will have a “Try It Out” class every month, then start a 6 week class as long as there is interest.  Our next “Try It Out” class will be Tuesday, August 17, at 7:15 pm, at PetUtopia.

(Update 8/1: This class is now full!) Joyce added a class on Friday, 8/20, at 7:15 pm, at PetUtopia.

The next 6 week class starts Tuesday, August 31, at 7:15 pm, at PetUtopia.

You can sign up for any of the classes at http://cooperativedogtraining.com/contact-information

Or, give Joyce a call at 206-819-7297.