Scent Work Classes
The Nose Knows
PumpkinPups Dog Training &
Nose to Toes K-9’s
Jess Elliot officially launched Nosework classes
in January 2022!
“When Viviane told me about the possibility of you hosting this class, Regina and I discussed it and decided it made a lot of scents for us! Jokes aside, I was interested because I read that 15 minutes of scent work can be more exhausting for a dog than an hour long walk. Since Cocoa is sometimes bored and naughty during the day, we wanted more tools to make her feel content each day. I’ll say my initial impression is that you are on a great path towards presenting a class that is exactly what we need. Thank you for those efforts!”
“I’ve really loved doing this scent class. I just wanted to let you know if you offered a part 2 to this class, I’d definitely sign up!”
Nosework Foundations
A Nose to Toes K9 Six Week Course
Scent Work for Stress Relief™
This class aims to help give dogs mental exercise while lowering stress! Dogs will imprint on a novel odor and learn to hunt for it indoors. Scent-based games and tricks are included. This class is a prerequisite for the sport-oriented Nosework 101.
CLASS STRUCTURE:
Each class includes learning via video examples, photos and lecture with one to two segments of observed and coached live practice each week.
The classes are cumulative -- each week's homework builds on the previous week's work, so plan on practicing on your own for ~3-5 minutes per day, at least 3 to 5 times a week, in between classes. The more of these short practices you do, the more progress you'll make.
There is a corresponding private Facebook group for class where you can ask questions and post videos of your dog's homework for instructor feedback between classes.
Class Cost: $415
Additional approximate cost of supplies you will need to order: $45 - $20
Learning Prerequisites: None
Dog Age Requirements: None
Materials & Supplies: Supplies will be recommended after registration.
Your setup at home: Set up your laptop or external camera so that the teacher can see the area where you and the dog are working.
You will need to be able to briefly (30 secs) restrain your dog (using a crate, gate, tether, room with a door, etc.) out of sight of the search area. Physical restraint is a necessary part of the class as the dog will be searching for hidden items. Please make a plan for this.
Upcoming: Spring 2025
Mondays at 7pm* ET:
Meets on: 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24, 3/31, 4/7 (only 2 spots left!)
*Class length: 45-60 minutes (depending on practice time and questions)
Space is limited to 5 pups per class!
Nosework 101
A Nose to Toes K9 Six Week Course
This course is geared towards teams who want to extend their dog’s Nosework skills and who may be interested in competition. Dogs are imprinted on NACSW and AKC target odor and will explore increasingly complex indoor and container searches.
CLASS STRUCTURE:
Each class includes learning via video examples, photos and lecture with one to two segments of observed and coached live practice each week.
The classes are cumulative, so short practices several times a week are needed to move through the course.
There is a corresponding private Facebook group for class participants for questions and homework review.
Class Cost: $415*
*Additional approximate cost of supplies you will need to order: $45 - $50
Learning Prerequisites: Nosework Foundations
Dog Age Requirements: None
Materials & Supplies: Scent Kit and additional supplies will be recommended after registration.
Your Set Up at Home: Set up your laptop or external camera so that the teacher can see the area where you and the dog are working.
You will need to be able to briefly (30 secs) restrain your dog (using a crate, gate, tether, room with a door, etc.) out of sight of the search area. Physical restraint is a necessary part of the class as the dog will be searching for hidden items. Please make a plan for this.
NEW DATES COMING SOON!
*Class length: 45-60 minutes (depending on practice time and questions)
Space is limited to 5 pups per class!
Nosework $1.02: Use Your Two Scents
A Nose to Toes K9 Three Week Short Course
NEW ODORS! NEW CUES! MULTIPLE HIDES!
This is a short course – three weeks of fun, half the price of a regular PumpkinPups course! Includes a Facebook group for homework video submission and instructor feedback.
Learning Prerequisites: Graduation from Nosework 101; Level 1 Fenzi NW team title; Level 1 title in AKC, NACSW, C-WAGs etc. scent competition. If your dog is not a graduate of 101 but is trained on odor and you feel your dog is ready, you’ll need to submit a short video showing two interior searches and one container search. Contact us for more details.
Class Cost: $210
Scent kit materials: Scent Kit and additional supplies will be recommended after registration.
Upcoming: Winter 2025
Tuesdays at 7pm*:
Meets on: 2/4, 2/11, (skip 2/18), 2/25
*Class length: 45-60 minutes (depending on practice time and questions)
Space is limited to 5 pups per class!
*Please only join the course if your dog is able to free-search interiors with a hidden vessel. If you’re not there yet, no worries! This course will be offered again this year!
If you are interested in the class and want to be informed about when the next upcoming Two Scents class registration opens, please sign up for our waiting list.
Nosework 201
A Nose to Toes K9 Six Week Course
Advanced Search Techniques
This is an online class that meets once weekly and includes live (canine) participation. Participants will also video and submit outdoor and vehicle searches via the companion Facebook group for instructor review. Having access to an outdoor area and a single vehicle (car, truck, trailer, motorcycle) for searches is recommended.
TOPICS COVERED:
Advanced interior searches
Basic exterior searches
Vehicle searches
PLUS:
Handling the leashed searcher
Factors affecting odor movement outside
Setting fair hides
Class Cost: $415
Learning Prerequisites: Nosework 101 course OR equivalent; your dog should be imprinted on at least one odor and able to free-search interiors.
**Materials needed:
Odor kit (swabs, vessels)
Harness
Start line (easily portable)
10-15 foot leash (10 feet preferred)
Good to have: Tripod to film outdoor searches, safe outdoor area to practice, vehicle to search, travel case for your odor vessels, flagging tape or a lightweight plastic bag you can cut.
**More specific recommendations will be in the Welcome email you receive after registration.
NEW DATES COMING SOON!
*Class length: 45-60 minutes (depending on practice time and questions)
If you are interested in the class and want to be informed about when the next upcoming Nosework 201 class registration opens, please sign up for our waiting list.
Nosework 300: Find Me!
A Nose to Toes K9 Six Week Course
Calling all Sherlock Hounds! This 6-week course teaches your clever pup to find items based on human scent. We'll start out teaching your dog to find your stuff, but by the end they'll be able to find anyone's stuff!
Class Cost: $415
Learning Prerequisites: Nosework Foundations
**Materials needed:
Personal items such as socks, keys, wallets, etc.
mylar or ziploc bags
For an additional fee, there will be an optional in-person session in Prospect Park for dogs who are comfortable working in busy outdoor areas. Time and date to be discussed during the course.
**More specific recommendations will be in the Welcome email you receive after registration.
Upcoming: Spring 2025
Wednesdays at 7pm*:
Meets on: 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26, 4/2, 4/9 (only 2 spots left!)
*Class length: 45-60 minutes (depending on practice time and questions)
If you are interested in the class and want to be informed about when the next upcoming Nosework 300 class registration opens, please sign up for our waiting list.
If you are not able to take the class now but want to be on a list to hear about future classes please signal your interest via this form here. The email addresses we collect will only be used to offer you an early bird signup, using a password, 24 hours before the class goes live on the PumpkinPups website.