The goal of our Ongoing Nose Work programs is to fine-tune your handling skills, to expand your dog’s knowledge and confidence in searching new and different areas, and to perfect your dog’s alert. Teamwork with your dog will be emphasized. Searches of different types will be utilized: containers, exteriors, interiors and vehicles.
For those interested in competing, these classes will help prepare both you and your dog for Nose Work competition. For those not interested in competing, these weekly classes are a great way to continue to the Nose Work fun with your dog.
These advanced level classes will be held at varying locations to increase the challenge level. Classes may be held in the WAGD facility, on the surrounding grounds and at locations in the vicinity of the training center.
- Completion of Nose Work 101, 102 and 103, with approval from your instructor
- Experienced teams can request approval from the instructor
- $120 for each 4-pack (covers 4 consecutive class meetings, each one hour long)
- 12-packs are available at an 5% discount, though only if you are on auto-pay $342
- Class Drop-Ins are $35 per class. This is only an option with instructor approval and after verifying there is space on the class roster.
- Review Ongoing Class Policies prior to enrolling
- To drop the class, 1 WEEK WRITTEN NOTICE is required. Please send an email to info@whatagreatdog.com.
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 and is designing the curricula used by the other nosework instructors at WAGD.
Ellen started training dogs in obedience when she was 14 in 4-H. She has dabbled in most dog sports over the years, but in 2014 she discovered Nosework and found her true passion.
She has been teaching nosework for the last 7 years, competes in four nosework venues, and is a judge for UKC, AKC and USCSS. Ellen was one of the judges at the first AKC Regional Scent Work Competition in 2022, and writes a blog: sniffingaroundscentwork.com
Ellen competes with two dogs in nosework/scentwork, both Lagotto Romagnolos, and has a third dog, (Riley the Chihuahua), who is retired from nosework after being the 19th dog in the US to earn the UKC Elite Nosework title. Astra, her senior dog, has her Elite Nosework title (UKC) Nosework Champion (UKC), Scent Work Master, Scent Work Detective (AKC), and Elite 2 (NACSW). Astra has won many placements and High in Trial Awards. Yeti, her younger dog, has recently finished his first year of competition with his Scent Work Advanced title, and three High in Trial awards.
In addition to Nosework, Ellen works as a full time Research Analyst at a global law firm.
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.