2023 Scent Work Workshops

​Presenter Bios.

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JO BATES -  SCENT WORK TRIALLING SKILLS WORKSHOP -  24  - 26 MARCH 2023
Jo Bates has been working professionally with dogs for over 10 years.
After initially volunteering at a local shelter, in 2009, she commenced studying a Certificate III in Dog Behaviour and Training which included scent work as an elective subject. This sparked a love of the game and a moment in time to appreciate what a dog’s nose can do!
Jo volunteered with the RSPCA from 2010. In 2011, Jo became a paid staff member working in a variety of roles including running the behaviour department and as a specialist in the education team. Jo introduced and applied her knowledge of scent work and the games used to many aspects of shelter life which enriched and enhanced the lives of many long stay dogs. After leaving the RSPCA to focus on her own business and passion in scent work, Jo continued to volunteer at the shelter to build up and develop the shelter dog nose work program at the RSPCA (VIC) in Burwood and their regional centre in Pearcedale. 
Jo currently runs her own business, Crazy Canines, which specialises in behaviour and training and K9 Nose Work instruction.
Since 2009, Jo has continued to develop her knowledge and passion for the sport through attending multiple workshops in person with speakers such as Bob Bailey, Fred Helfers and Jill-Marie O’Brien—the co-founder of K9 Nose Work.
In 2018, Jo became a certified nose work instructor (CNWI) for the NACSW (National Association of Canine Scent Work). Jo has continued to pursue further education in the scent work discipline by attending workshops, webinars and online training such as NACSW, Fenzi Dog Sports Academy, Scent Work University, Dogs Of Course and Scentsabilities NoseWork.
In 2021, Jo became a foundation ANKC Scent Work judge in Victoria. She has judged regularly since then including at the ACT Gundog Society’s May 2022 Scent Work trials. Jo judged for Dogs ACT in September 2022.

Murphy, Jo’s Springer Spaniel, has achieved his Scent Work Novice title and is currently working towards his Scent Work Advanced title. Her Papillon, Louis, is in training, but loves to hunt out odour in a variety of scenarios while he learns about the more complex challenges in nose work. Louis will begin trialling in 2023.
Jo runs demo sessions, fun days, workshops and courses in scent work and on behavioural topics for a number of local obedience dog clubs in Victoria (including: Mornington Obedience Dog Club, Mornington Peninsula Community Dog club, Peninsula Obedience Dog Club, Peninsula Positive Paws Dog Club and Berwick Obedience Dog Club).
Jo is always willing to talk further and share knowledge about this amazing sport that we can do with our dogs! 
PETA CLARKE -  SCENT WORK TRIALLING SKILLS WORKSHOP -  2 - 4 JUNE  2023
A little about Peta: Peta’s experience in scent work with dogs began back in the 1990’s with her first Boxer, Russell Clarke. Russell earned his TDX title and it was during this time that she learnt what “trust your dog” really meant. With only a start peg to go by and bush all around, there was nothing else to it! As long as the track layer had Russell’s favourite thing in the world - a baby’s dummy - he was driven to go find them.

While tracking had to go by the wayside for several years as Peta pursued a career as an exotic animal trainer, she was introduced to K9 Nose Work® in 2014. Since then she has enjoyed sharing this activity and sport, presenting many seminars and workshops on the sport of nose work, in both Australia and America. In 2018 she successfully completed her certification as a Canine Nose Work Instructor (CNWI) under the NACSW in America. She has competed successfully in Australian Canine Scent Work (ACSW) Nosework with two Chihuahua crosses, Quinn and Sparrow.

Peta has judged several ACSW odour recognition trials and judged at Nose Work 1 level. She enjoys volunteering in many different roles at Scent Work competitions as it allows her the opportunity to observe a variety of teams, which she regards as a fundamental part of her learning as an instructor. She also co-judged at the Inaugural level 1 Scent Work Games at the 2018 Advanced Epic Extravaganza in Canberra.
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Peta said: “The development of the sport of Scent Work as a new discipline under the Australian National Kennel Club (ANKC) has been part of my life for the past 5 years. In 2020 I completed the Foundation Judges Training Program and gained my ANKC Scent Work judge’s licence. I am so excited for the future of this sport.”