Nose Work 101

Nose Work 101 - What a Great Dog! Training Center

Want a fun class that doesn’t require a ton of prior training? Nose Work may be just the thing! Nose Work is a fast-growing sport where dogs are trained to find target odors (birch, anise, clove and other essential oils) hidden in different environments.
 
Because sniffing is one of the great joys in a dog’s life, they love learning and practicing this sport. This class is a great confidence builder for shy or fearful dogs; and provides mental stimulation for ALL dogs. Any age dog can play.
 
There are three classes which give you and your dog the foundation for Nose Work. After that, you may join any ongoing class. Ideally, you’ll want to take your Nose Work 101, 102 and 103 classes with the same instructor.
 
If your dog has a nose and LOVES food, come join us! Whether you plan to compete, or just want to have fun with your dog – Nose Work fits the bill.
  • No prior training is required
  • If your dog is younger than 1 year, and they haven’t been in facility in 2 months or more, a new Class Readiness Evaluation is required.
  • If your dog is older than 1 year, and they haven’t been in the facility in 6 months or more, a new Class Readiness Evaluation is required.
  • You must use a crate or x-pen between runs.
  • It is critical that you and your dog attend the first 6 weeks of class. In the first weeks of foundation training, each week builds on the week before. If you miss a class, your dog will likely be unable to be successful when he returns. If you MUST miss class for something unexpected, plan to schedule a private lesson with your instructor.
  • $252 for six consecutive weekly 60-minute class meetings at your designated day/time. 
  • Optional make-ups for missed classes are available only as private lessons ($70 / half hour). 

After enrollment, watch for a confirmation email with important details.

Class Preview

Your Instructors

  • Nose Work Trainer

    Devin Turk
    Devin Turk joined the What A Great Dog team in 2019. He and his wife, Ash-Leah, have been involved in dog shows, sports, and training for twelve years. They have been involved in everything from Rally, Obedience, Conformation, Agility, Lure Coursing, Fast CAT, Nose Work, Barn Hunt, Dock Diving, as well as K9 Search and Rescue, Tracking, and K9 Scent Detection.
    Devin teaches Nose Work 101 at What a Great Dog and has been involved in Nose Work competitions and trials with his Great Dane, Gemma, for nearly three years. He has trained in nose work with many expert trainers, such as: Victor Borras, Caroline Oldham, Bob Rodriguez, Mickey Shufman, Ellen Heavner, and Robin Cameron.
    Devin is also a public school teacher, having taught as a band director and science teacher for twelve years. His philosophy is that anyone can learn anything from anyone with the proper support system and with consistent constructive feedback. His main goal for his students is for them to strengthen their bond and working relationships with their dogs and to have fun “playing the game” together.
  • Ellen Heavner

    Ellen is Director of the nosework program at WAGD, and joined the team in 2020. She
    teaches at all levels of nosework/scentwork. She designed the curricula used by the
    other nosework instructors at WAGD.

    She has been teaching scent work for the last 12 years, competes in many venues, and
    is a judge for many scent work organizations, including: AKC, UKC, ASCA and USCSS.
    In addition to judging, Ellen is a member of the AKC Scent Work Advisory Committee,
    and writes a monthly blog about scent work (sniffingaroundscentwork.com).

    Ellen currently has two Lagotto Romagnolos: Astra, who is retired from competitions
    and Yeti, who is competing at the Detective level in AKC.

  • Julie Morton

    Julie is a self-described nosework and dog training nerd. She began nosework
    instruction in 2018 and began working as an AKC Scent Work Judge in 2022.
    Julie’s love of nosework began while working with her reactive Australian
    Cattle Dog mix, Eleanor Frisbee. Julie and Ellie began their nosework
    competition career in 2016 and competed until Ellie’s retirement in early
    2024. Together they earned titles in UKC, AKC, NACSW, and USCSS.

    As a dog training nerd, Julie is interested in interspecies communication
    through training and enjoys incorporating best practices from successful
    trainers such as Bob Bailey, Sue Sternberg and Denise Fenzi into her training
    toolbox.

    Julie has experienced first-hand the benefits of teaching a dog to use his or
    her nose and the partnership created in the process. She sees nosework as a
    dance and loves watching the dog/trainer team learn the steps.

  • Nose Work Trainer

    Mickey Schufman

    Mickey has been involved with dogs for over 40 years and has competed in conformation, obedience, rally and agility. She started an in-home training business (Four Paws Training School) in 2002 and worked with owners using reward based training. Some of the trainers who have influenced her most are: Susan Garrett, Bob Bailey, Pat Miller, Kathy Sdao, Jean Donaldson, and Ken Ramirez.

    An owner and fan of big dogs for most of her life, she has now downsized to a couple of little guys: Micah (terrier mix), and Harper Lee (Papillon). In 2012 she went to a seminar to learn about K9 Nose Work, a new dog sport, and it quickly became her passion. She has been teaching nosework at What A Great Dog! in Frisco since opening in 2012, and has several classes each week. Her favorite venues to compete in are NACSW (National Assoc of Canine Scent Work) and USCSS (United States Canine Scent Sports). Above all, she believes that competition needs to be a great experience between you and your dog, and that success is completely secondary.