What is Scent Work/Nosework?
Whether you call one of the fastest growing dog sports in the world ‘Scent Work’ or ‘Nosework’, it makes no difference to the dogs. They are just keen to use their nose to seek out odours which they have been trained to find (usually essential oils) and then communicate to their handlers that they have found them. Initially, the sport was known as ‘Nosework’ but today ‘Scent Work’ is also a commonly used name around the world.
If you have a dog that loves to sniff (and what dog doesn’t) or needs a job to do, then this could be just the activity for you and your dog. All breeds of dog excel in Scent Work as they love the problem-solving opportunities that it offers and, more importantly, it keeps them mentally and physically stimulated.
Training scent work is a great way for you to enter your dog’s amazing world of scent. Dogs have different searching styles and handlers need to observe their dogs carefully as they tell them the story of finding the odour plume, following its trail back to the source of the odour and indicating in their own unique way that they have found it!
One of the many benefits of scent work is that dogs of any breed, age, or training level can learn and enjoy this activity and it can also be amazing therapy for dogs with ‘special needs’, be it behavioural issues or dogs with reduced mobility due to age or injury.
In competition, there are different elements or settings in which a dog is required to search and there are four odours that may be used at any level (Novice, Advanced, Excellent and Masters). At the judge’s discretion, and depending upon the level of the test, the dog may search either on-lead or off-lead. The dog and handler work through the various levels of competition and are awarded ‘Titles’ for their achievements. Very advanced search scenarios are introduced at the Masters and Elite levels.
If you have a dog that loves to sniff (and what dog doesn’t) or needs a job to do, then this could be just the activity for you and your dog. All breeds of dog excel in Scent Work as they love the problem-solving opportunities that it offers and, more importantly, it keeps them mentally and physically stimulated.
Training scent work is a great way for you to enter your dog’s amazing world of scent. Dogs have different searching styles and handlers need to observe their dogs carefully as they tell them the story of finding the odour plume, following its trail back to the source of the odour and indicating in their own unique way that they have found it!
One of the many benefits of scent work is that dogs of any breed, age, or training level can learn and enjoy this activity and it can also be amazing therapy for dogs with ‘special needs’, be it behavioural issues or dogs with reduced mobility due to age or injury.
In competition, there are different elements or settings in which a dog is required to search and there are four odours that may be used at any level (Novice, Advanced, Excellent and Masters). At the judge’s discretion, and depending upon the level of the test, the dog may search either on-lead or off-lead. The dog and handler work through the various levels of competition and are awarded ‘Titles’ for their achievements. Very advanced search scenarios are introduced at the Masters and Elite levels.
