Intro to Scent

Weeks: 6
Length: 60 minutes per session
Prerequisites: Suitable for dogs of any age, ability, or breed.

Designed for scent teams that have little to no experience in nosework.  In this course we will use our target odor (birch) to teach the basics of nosework.  We will also cover air movement, working as a team, reading your dog’s body language, and designing simple searches.  

Equipment: For this intro class you will need small, soft treats your dog can’t resist, a flat collar or harness, and a six foot leash.

NOTE:  There are no dogs on week one.  We will provide a scent kit  on week one for home use. The cost is included in the registration fee.  

Please email Kim Poisson with questions.

Odor Foundations

Weeks: 6
Length: 60 minutes per session
Prerequisites: Intro to Scent

Level 1 course. Continuation of skills started in the Intro to Scent course.  We will continue to build skills, continue to learn about air movement, search techniques, working with boxes and containers, as well as and interior searches.  Target odor will be birch.  

***Students should plan to  remain in this class for multiple sessions as they work to build skills and search accuracy.

NOTE:  There are no dogs on week one as we will review Intro skills and discuss advanced scent theory.  We will provide a scent kit  on week one for home use. The cost is included in the registration fee.  

Equipment: For this class you will need small, soft treats your dog can’t resist, a flat collar or harness, and a six foot leash.

Please email Kim Poisson with questions.

Novice Scent

Weeks: 6
Length: 60 minutes per session
Prerequisites: Odor Foundations

Level  2 course. Teams will continue to build skills learned in previous classes while adding in anise as a target door.  This class will follow the AKC scent rules as a basis for training.  

At this level the teams will expand their search experience to include interiors, exteriors, and buried hides.  

Dogs will be crated between turns and must be comfortable with crating.  Handler will need to bring a crate for their dog for class.  

We will provide a scent kit  on week one for home use. The cost is included in the registration fee.  

***Students should plan to  remain in this class for multiple sessions as they work to build skills and search accuracy.  

Class size limited to six students.  

Please email Kim Poisson with questions.

Intermediate Scent

Weeks: 6
Length: 60 minutes per session
Prerequisites: Novice Scent/instructor approval

Level  3 course.  Teams will continue to build skills learned in previous classes while adding in the remaining AKC odors of clove and cypress.  This class will follow the AKC scent rules as a basis for training.  

At this level the teams will expand their search experience to include interiors, exteriors, elevated, vehicle, and buried hides.  

***Students should plan to  remain in this class for multiple sessions as they work to build skills and search accuracy.  

Dogs will be crated between turns and must be comfortable with crating.  Handler will need to bring a crate for their dog for class.  

NOTE:  We will provide a scent kit  on week one for home use. The cost is included in the registration fee.  

Class size limited to six students.  

Please email Kim Poisson with questions.

Intro to Antler Shed Hunting

Weeks: 6
Length: 60 minutes per session
Prerequisites: basic obedience course, interest in retrieving 

Antler shed hunting is a great sport that appeals to a variety of dogs. There is no shed hunting experience necessary to participate, however your dog should be interested in retrieving and able to work outside with reasonable focus and a somewhat reliable recall.  If the recall is an emerging skill then we will utilize long lines to help facilitate learning.  

We will build solid retrieves, learn how to work outdoors, manage distractions, perform visual and scent searches, along with learning air movement and the best point to start a search. 

Class size limited to six students.  

Please email Kim Poisson with questions.

Tricks Class Descriptions

AKC Novice Tricks class

Weeks: 3
Length: 60 minutes per session
Prerequisites: Suitable for dogs of any age, ability, or breed.

Did you know “sit” is a trick? We will focus on the AKC Novice Trick list and learn about breaking tricks down into steps and then how to put it all together.

Equipment: For this class you will need an ample supply of small, soft treats, and a six foot leash. Optional equipment would be a clicker and a favorite NON-SQUEAKY toy.

Please email Kim Poisson with questions.