What do dogs love to do? Sniff of course! Dog's sense of smell is 10,000 to 100,00 times greater than your or my sense of smell. Why not put that joy to work for you and your dog.
Scent work takes this innate desire and turns it into a game. It is a terrific sport for all kinds of dogs both young and old alike. It is a wonderful way to build confidence in a shy dog and build a lasting relationship with your dog.
MADTA offers 4 great classes in scent work. Chose the one that best suits you and your dog.
Class Description
This class will explore the basic concepts of Scent Work. It will cover how to play fun Scent Training games at home to meet your dog’s need for mental and physical stimulation. As your dog learns to problem solve and gain focus, this class will also give an overview of the competitive aspect of the sport by introducing odor (the scented oils dog search for at a trial) and covering some foundational skills for handlers.
This class is good for dogs needing more confidence, dogs who have a lot energy and need a job, as well as senior dogs and those recovering from an injury.
Dog Crates are required for this class.
Class Description
This class will lay the foundation of the skills needed by beginner scent work teams. It will cover reading your dog, beginner handling, dog searching and motivation, challenges, and confidence building for both the dog and handler. We will also discuss scent work trials and elements, odor behavior, and hide setting. This class is good for handlers who are just starting out or want to go back to the basics, dogs who are still building their scent work skills, or dogs who need confidence in scent work searches. Dogs in this class should be on odor (paired or unpaired), or should have completed Introduction to Scent Work.
Class Description
This class will pick up where Beginner class left off and develop your skills to have you ready for a Novice level Trial at its completion. Improve your confidence in knowing when your dog has located a hide.
Class Description
This class will take you and your dog on from beginner/novice to more difficult searches
involving multiple odors with greater difficulty levels.
For excellent and master level dogs or with instructor’s permission.
We will have a new location each week with various types of searches. We will concentrate on exterior and interior searches.
The location will be emailed to you the week before each class. We will meet at MADTA parking lot for the first class and caravan to the first location.