A working Discussion on Important Skills to create an effective K9 Scent and Nose Work Team

The World of Odors from a Canine Perspective

Discover how your canine partner interprets odor movement and calibrates odor concentrations as they work to pinpoint the final odor source. 

The Choreography of the Working Team

Body and line pressure: how your line handling and body pressure can help or hinder your dog.

Saturday, March 29, 2025
Sudbury, MA

The World of Odors from a Canine Perspective

Odor Geometry.  We will cover many factors that affect odor movement. You will understand why a fundamental understanding of scent theory is key to being an effective, supportive, and efficient teammate. |

• The properties of individual target oils.
• The effect of the weather, structural influences, topography, interior air movement, the attributes of the object(s) on which a hide is placed, and its location within a search area.
• The canine olfactory system, how it works, and why dogs are such efficient hunters/searchers
• The physical changes that the dog displays provide you – the handler, with key information as they move in and out of odor concentrations and encounter non-odor zones

You will learn to apply this knowledge when setting hides and handling your dog in training and competition.

The Choreography of the Working Team

Your behavior during a search can help or hinder your dog. Learn how to support your teammate.

• Reading the dog’s body language. What are they telling you through audible olfaction, their body carriage, and cadence?
• What are you communicating through leash pressure, body position, facial expressions, fluidity, movement speed, and everything you say?