In-person training
Scent-work group classes and private lessons for you and your dog.
Explore In-person training →Scent work, built around your team.
Scent work turns your dog’s remarkable sense of smell into a rewarding activity you can enjoy together. Dogs learn to identify and locate target odors, while handlers learn to read their dogs and support the search. From first discoveries to advanced trial goals, the focus is on strong foundations, confidence, and communication.
A natural ability. A stronger partnership.
Dogs of all ages and breeds can enjoy scent work. It offers mental stimulation and an outlet for their natural desire to search—whether you are looking for an enrichment activity or hoping to work toward scent-sport titles. Learning to trust your dog’s nose can help build confidence at both ends of the leash.
Choose how you’d like to work together.
Strong foundations. Your goals. Thoughtful problem solving.
Build skills that last
Teaching strong foundations is at the heart of my work. We build your dog’s search skills and your understanding of their behavior, so you can grow together with clearer communication and confidence.
Enjoy the search—no competition required
You are welcome here even if you never want to enter a trial. Scent work can simply be something fun to share with your dog: a chance to use their nose, strengthen your bond, and enjoy learning together. For dogs who are fearful or unsure, we can discuss a training approach and setting that support confidence at their own pace.
Work through the problems holding you back
Many teams come to me when something is not working in training or competition. Together, we look at the search, the dog’s behavior, and the handler’s decisions to understand what to work on—not just repeat the same problem.
- False alerts: working through alerts where target odor is not present.
- Fringe alerts: helping teams work toward a more precise indication at the odor source.
- Training an indication: building a clear, reliable way for your dog to communicate that they have found odor.
- Reading your dog: recognizing changes in behavior and understanding what your dog is telling you during a search.
- Search-area coverage: developing a thoughtful approach to covering the area and giving your dog opportunities to investigate.
- Handler memory: keeping track of where you have been and what still needs attention in larger, higher-level searches.
- Search time management: using search time effectively and making purposeful handling decisions.
- Working through distractions: building focus and helping your dog stay engaged with the search.
- Increasing hunt drive: developing motivation, persistence, and enthusiasm for searching.
- Increasing odor obedience: strengthening commitment to target odor, even when competing distractions are present.
Private lessons and trial video reviews give us room to look closely at your team’s specific challenges and build a practical training plan.
Virtual training & review
Online group classes, private lessons, and reviews of your scent-work trial videos.
Explore Virtual training & review →Seminars I teach
Bring me to your club or facility for a scent-work seminar or workshop.
Host me for a seminar →Scent-work trial judging
Invite me to judge your scent-work event.
Explore Scent-work trial judging →From foundations to the trial ring.
New to scent work?
Start by discovering how scent behavior works and learning to recognize your dog’s search behavior. Training builds the foundations for locating target odors, communicating as a team, and approaching new search challenges with confidence. You do not need competition goals to enjoy the sport.
Building toward competition
For teams interested in NACSW- or AKC-style scent sports, coaching can focus on handling, teamwork, and preparation for increasingly challenging searches. Private lessons and trial video reviews provide opportunities to discuss your dog’s work, recognize strengths, and choose what to practice next.
Support that fits your team
Work together in person or online, with individual coaching centered on your goals. The original competition-support offering also includes optional professional trial handling, discussed individually. This is not a board-and-train program, and titles or placements are never guaranteed.
Let’s talk scent work.
Tell me about your team, your goals, and the training format you’re interested in.
Get in touch