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Force Free Dale
About
Nosework
Behavior Consulting
Events
Philosophy
Blog
Contact Us
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Nosework
Behavior Consulting
Events
Philosophy
Blog
Contact Us

2026 Sniff & Pick
Oct
18

2026 Sniff & Pick

  • Sunday, October 18, 2026
  • 12:00 PM 5:00 PM
  • Google Calendar ICS

Join us for our second annual Sniff & Pick event!

One large (or 3 smaller) search through a working family farm — inside barns, alongside pasture fences (with potential for cows!), and near chickens/fowl-type critters. It’s a FUN and DISTRACTING environment!

Along with searches, we’ll have a bonfire rolling with s’mores and hot dogs available for roastin’, pumpkins to ‘pick’ and buckets of treats for all the hungry cows.

$40 for first dog, $35 for second dog. Come have fun!

Location is a private residence in Clarkston, MI. Address will be provided after registration.

REGISTER HERE
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AKC Fetch & UKC Shed Hunt Introduction Workshop
Sep
26

AKC Fetch & UKC Shed Hunt Introduction Workshop

  • Saturday, September 26, 2026
  • 11:00 AM 3:00 PM
  • Google Calendar ICS

FETCH/SHED HUNT INTRO WORKSHOP IS CANCELLED :( We’ll be back in the spring!

Co-instructed with Rosie Soo, LVT: Rosie is an accomplished Fetch and Shed Hunt competitor, and a licensed Judge for both AKC Fetch and UKC Shed Hunt.

Come learn the foundations of both AKC Fetch and UKC Shed Hunt at this fun half-day workshop! A brief overview of each sport and the novice rules, plus two working sessions for each working spot will give you an idea of skills to continue working on at home.

Location is held at a private residence in Grand Blanc, MI — full address will be sent out after registration. We will be inside a barn and outside - please dress accordingly!

We will be crating out of cars at this event.

Working spots & audit spots can register at the link below. Unlimited audit spots at $10!

View Event →
Fetch Practice, CGC/A, Trick Dog Testing, Fit Dog Walk
Sep
25

Fetch Practice, CGC/A, Trick Dog Testing, Fit Dog Walk

  • Friday, September 25, 2026
  • 4:30 PM 7:30 PM
  • Grand Blanc, Michigan, 48439 United States (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Come join the fun for a day of AKC fetch practice, CGC/A and trick dog testing, and a AKC fit dog walk!

Prepare for our upcoming AKC fetch tests on October 24th - we will be practicing on the test field. We will set up all levels, so advanced and retriever dogs can practice with the blinds.

-Fetch practice: $10 per run-through

-Shed hunt practice: $10 per run-through, full course

-CGC/CGA and trick dog testing (novice-advanced): $15 per test, flat title ribbons available!

-The fit dog walk will be available to complete at any time

Available trick dog props: klimb, cato board, weave poles, crate, push button light, push button sound, basket, pivot bowl for paws up, jump, tunnel, cato plank (mini teeter), tennis ball/bumper, box, bag to pull.

Register for Fetch Practice
Register for Shed Hunt Practice
Register for CGC/Trick Dog
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NACSW Trial - August 2026
Aug
21
to Aug 23

NACSW Trial - August 2026

  • Fri, Aug 21, 2026 8:30 AM Sun, Aug 23, 2026 4:00 PM
  • Google Calendar ICS
WAITLIST
VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP
TRIAL PREMIUM
ENTER NW3 (FRI)
ENTER L1V (SAT AM)
ENTER L1C (SAT PM)
ENTER NW2
View Event →
Shed Hunt Practice
Aug
13

Shed Hunt Practice

  • Thursday, August 13, 2026
  • 5:30 PM 7:30 PM
  • 4244 Pratt Avenue Grand Blanc, Michigan, 48439 United States (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Join us for a fun evening of shed hunt practice!

This will be geared towards our intermediate dogs (dogs should be confidently retrieving sheds).


3 sheds will be planted on a ~half course, and you will have half of competition time to run (7m30s).

$10/run


Please sign up for multiple slots for additional 7 min runs on the same dog.

We are also looking into planting a full sized course for our competition teams. Stay tuned!


Let's have fun!

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Mock Trial - NW2/3
Aug
1

Mock Trial - NW2/3

  • Saturday, August 1, 2026
  • 9:00 AM 2:00 PM
  • Google Calendar ICS

Come prep for your fall trials with us at MIPSE! Challenges will be set at NW2/3 level with options for help/more info for more novice teams.

Search areas will include: containers, interiors, vehicles (potentially an exterior)

25 dog/handler teams — $50/team

One handler can run multiple dogs, but there will not be hide resets.

REGISTER HERE
VOLUNTEER
View Event →
Fetch Practice & CGC/Trick Dog Test
Jul
31

Fetch Practice & CGC/Trick Dog Test

  • Friday, July 31, 2026
  • 4:00 PM 7:00 PM
  • Google Calendar ICS

Come practice for your fall Fetch Tests with us!

$10 per run (novice: 3 fetches, int: 4 fetches) — register your dog multiple times if you wish to run your level multiple times!

Fetch yard is fully fenced. We’ll have helpers to drop toys for Intermediate/Advanced/Retriever levels.

CGC/CGCA/Trick Dog Tests — $15 per test! Register your dog multiple times if you wish to test for multiple things.

We will work these tests in as handlers/dogs become available from fetch practice.

The fit dog walk will be available all evening! Any of our fetch title holders can complete an AKC fit dog title by doing this walk!

REGISTER HERE
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Intro to Fetch/Shed Hunt Workshop
Jul
25

Intro to Fetch/Shed Hunt Workshop

  • Saturday, July 25, 2026
  • 9:00 AM 10:00 AM
  • Google Calendar ICS

Co-instructed with Rosie Soo, LVT: Rosie is an accomplished Fetch and Shed Hunt competitor with 3 dogs and a Judge for both AKC Fetch and UKC Shed Hunt.

RESCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, JULY 25 BECAUSE OF AIR QUALITY & HEAT.

Come learn the foundations of both AKC Fetch and UKC Shed Hunt at this fun half-day workshop! A brief overview of each sport and the novice rules and two working sessions for each working spot will give you an idea of skills to continue working on at home.

Location is held at a private residence in Grand Blanc, MI — full address will be sent out after registration. We will be inside a barn and outside. Please dress accordingly!

We will be crating out of cars at this event.

Working spots & audit spots can register at the link below. Unlimited audit spots at $10!

REGISTER - Working or Audit


View Event →
3rd Annual Firetruck Sniff & Go
Jun
20

3rd Annual Firetruck Sniff & Go

  • Saturday, June 20, 2026
  • 9:00 AM 4:00 PM
  • Google Calendar ICS

This event is full.

Join us for our 3rd annual Sniff & Go featuring antique fire trucks!

Our beloved friends at Camp Egeler have generously offered to host us again and share their pole barn of Fire Truck Fun. We are SO grateful! This is a private residence in Dexter, Michigan. Full address will be sent out in a separate email after registration.

Register for your time block, run all 4 of your searches in a row, and you’re free to go :) Multiple dogs per one handler should register for the same time block.

This is a novice-friendly event and a safe spot to try out some stuff pre-trial. New leash? New camera? New reinforcement strategies? Come practice with in a supportive and fun environment! Dog should be confidently searching for birch, anise, and clove oils.

We will also be collecting DOG TREATS for the shelter dogs at Oakland County Animal Control & Pet Adoption Center! If you’re able, please bring a bag or two of your dog’s favorite goodies.

$35/dog and handler team. For those planning to run multiple dogs, there will not be any hide resets.

REGISTER HERE
View Event →
Fetch Practice — May 16
May
16

Fetch Practice — May 16

  • Saturday, May 16, 2026
  • 1:00 PM 5:00 PM
  • Google Calendar ICS

LOCATION: private residence in Grand Blanc, MI. Address will be emailed out after registration.

FETCH:

Come practice for your upcoming AKC Fetch test with us!

$10/run (3 retrieves) for Novice/Intermediate

$15/run (3 retrieves) for Advanced/Retriever

Novice/Intermediate will run first and then we’ll run Advanced/Retriever.

Estimated to start Advanced/Retriever between 3-4pm. We will have a better estimate as we finalize the run order closer to the event date.

CGC/TRICK TITLES:

Available throughout the duration of the event. Pre-registration is preferred for us to get an estimate on numbers. But you can still test day-of :)

$15/test

Confirmation emails with address and additional details will be sent out in early May.

REGISTER FOR FETCH
CGC/TRICK TEST
View Event →
Mock ORT
May
16

Mock ORT

  • Saturday, May 16, 2026
  • 9:00 AM 2:00 PM
  • Google Calendar ICS

Prep for your upcoming ORT with us! This event will mimic a real ORT event, where we will run through the entire run order for each odor: birch, anise, and clove. We can offer one reset at the end of each odor for a second dog.

You will get to practice searching, staging, warm-up boxes, and car-crating. Of course, this is a fun and supportive environment to practice in!

Arrive no earlier than 8:45am — we’ll have a quick briefing at 9am and then get into searching.

$40/team

REGISTER HERE
View Event →
Fetch & Shed Hunt Practice
Apr
4

Fetch & Shed Hunt Practice

  • Saturday, April 4, 2026
  • 10:00 AM 2:00 PM
  • Google Calendar ICS

FETCH PRACTICE IS FULL! You can still register for Shed Hunt only.

Come practice for your AKC Novice or Intermediate Fetch Test and/or get some practice runs in for UKC Shed Hunt!

This event will not have in-depth instruction on either sport. We will have a quick briefing at the start of each time block and then get into practice runs.

Fetch 10am-11:30am — each team will have two rounds of their practice Fetch test (3 retrieves). Each round will end after 5 minutes in order to keep the day moving along. Fetch practice will be in a fully fenced in area. If you are coming for Fetch only, we’ll run you earlier in the run order and you’ll be free to go after your second round.

Shed Hunt 12:30pm-2:00pm — each team will have 7 minutes to work their search area. We will plant 3 sheds. Shed hunt will not be fully fenced, but you can run your dog on a long line if needed. Dogs do NOT need to be working at a competitive level, but should understand their job to range out and find sheds.

Registration will not be complete until you submit payment. Payment information will be emailed out after your registration submission below.

REGISTER HERE
View Event →
Webinar: Let’s Get Ready to Trial!
Mar
18

Webinar: Let’s Get Ready to Trial!

  • Wednesday, March 18, 2026
  • 6:30 PM 8:30 PM
  • Google Calendar ICS

New handlers! Get ready for the 2026 trial season with us, virtually. In this webinar, we will cover:

  • Differences in trialing venues (more detail on NACSW)

  • What to expect at a nosework trial

  • When are you ready to trial?

  • Incorporating ‘trial prep’ into your training plan

The webinar portion will run about 1.5 hours and then we will use the rest of the time for live Q&A. You’ll get a copy of the webinar emailed to you afterwards.

REGISTER HERE
View Event →
Valentine's Day Fetch & Shed Hunt Intro Workshop
Feb
14

Valentine's Day Fetch & Shed Hunt Intro Workshop

  • Saturday, February 14, 2026
  • 10:00 AM 1:30 PM
  • Google Calendar ICS

Co-instructed with Rosie Soo, LVT: Rosie is an accomplished Fetch and Shed Hunt competitor with 3 dogs and an AKC Fetch and UKC Shed Hunt Judge.

Come learn the foundations of both AKC Fetch and UKC Shed Hunt at this fun 3.5-hour workshop! A brief overview of each sport and the novice rules and two working sessions for each working spot will give you an idea of skills to continue working on at home.

Location is held at a private residence in Grand Blanc, MI — full address will be sent out after registration. We will be inside an unheated barn and then outside. Please dress accordingly!

We will be crating out of cars at this event.

Working spots & audit spots can register at the link below. Unlimited audit spots at $10!

REGISTER HERE
View Event →
Mock ORT Practice
Jan
10

Mock ORT Practice

  • Saturday, January 10, 2026
  • 9:00 AM 1:00 PM
  • Google Calendar ICS

Prep for upcoming ORTs or novice-level container searches at our ORT practice! Fun and supportive environment and a novel interior location to search.

We’ll have a short briefing at 9am and then will run through our run order for each odor: birch, anise, and clove. We can offer one reset for a second dog at the end of each odor, mirroring an ORT.

$35/dog for all 3 odors.

REGISTER HERE
View Event →
Primary Searchers: Foundational Skills Webinar
Dec
16

Primary Searchers: Foundational Skills Webinar

  • Tuesday, December 16, 2025
  • 6:30 PM 8:30 PM
  • Google Calendar ICS

Join us to discuss how we get dogs hooked on our favorite game... nosework!

$25 registration fee -- webinar will run for about 75-90 minutes, and we'll use the remaining time for Q&A.
Register here: https://forcefreedale.as.me/

Our approach to teaching nosework is accessible to every dog -- you need treats or a toy, some cardboard boxes, and your dog.
Come learn about this fun game to enrich your dog's life and keep their mind occupied over the cold winter months. Bonus... from here, you can come learn how to progress your nosework game in 2026 with us in-person

View Event →
Sniff & Pick Fundraiser
Oct
18

Sniff & Pick Fundraiser

  • Saturday, October 18, 2025
  • 1:00 PM 5:00 PM
  • Google Calendar ICS
REGISTER HERE

Join us for a fun afternoon of nosework searches and fall activities!

Location is a private residence in Clarkston, MI. Full address will be provided after registration.

Nosework searches will happen inside/around a real working barn, home to farm animals. There WILL be environmental distractions including but not limited to: animal poop, feed bags, chickens/ducks (enclosed but visible), tractors & machinery, etc. Dress accordingly and know your dog :)

We will also have a pumpkin patch for picking a pumpkin afterwards! We’ll be selling homemade jams and farm-fresh eggs (see above chickens and ducks), have a walking taco bar, and a bonfire rolling all afternoon! Roast a marshmallow for yourself (yes, s’mores ingredients will be included), and a mini weenie for your dog before you head home!

We will also have homemade jam and farm-fresh eggs available for separate purchase!

FFD will be donating our time, and our lovely hosts are donating their space for us to raise money for Dog Aide’s winter outreach efforts. Dog Aide is also always in need of canned dog food, long-lasting chews (pig ears or marrow bones), and large collars. Feel free to bring any of these items in to further support their mission!

Registration includes:

-Nosework searches

-Walking taco bar

-Bonfire activities — s’more and lil smokies

View Event →
Fetch & Shed Hunt Workshop
Oct
11

Fetch & Shed Hunt Workshop

  • Saturday, October 11, 2025
  • 9:00 PM 9:00 PM
  • Google Calendar ICS

Come learn the foundations of both AKC Fetch and UKC Shed Hunt at this fun 3-hour workshop! A brief overview of each sport and the novice rules and two working sessions for each working spot will give you an idea of skills to continue working on at home.

Location is held at a private residence — full address will be sent out after registration.

We will be crating out of cars at this event.

Working spots can register using the link below. Unlimited audit spots are welcome at $10/spot. Please email training@forcefreedale.com to secure your audit spot.

Co-instructed with Rosie Soo, LVT: Rosie is an accomplished Fetch and Shed Hunt competitor with 3 dogs and an AKC Fetch and UKC Shed Hunt Judge.

Register Here
View Event →
NACSW NW3 / NW2 / NW1
Aug
22
to Aug 24

NACSW NW3 / NW2 / NW1

  • Fri, Aug 22, 2025 8:00 AM Sun, Aug 24, 2025 5:00 PM
  • Google Calendar ICS

Force Free Dale Dog Training has been approved to host NW3 / NW2 / NW1 trials for the National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW) at Michigan Out-of-Doors Camp in Chelsea, MI on August 22-24, 2025.

We will post all details here as we confirm them: opening date, trial premium, officials, volunteer information.

TRIAL OPENS: Tuesday, July 8th, 2025 - see relevant links below:

WAIT LISTS
ENTER NW3 (FRIDAY)
ENTER NW2 (SATURDAY)
ENTER NW1 (SUNDAY)
Premium
Volunteer Sign-Up
View Event →
2nd Annual Firetruck Sniff & Go
Jun
8

2nd Annual Firetruck Sniff & Go

  • Sunday, June 8, 2025
  • 9:00 AM 3:30 PM
  • Google Calendar ICS
REGISTER HERE

Join us as we host our second annual Firetruck Sniff & Go event on Sunday, June 8th! We will be playing nosework at a private residence in Dexter, Michigan - full address will be provided after registration. 

We are looking forward to providing a low-pressure opportunity to prep for some of the stress of a trial like staging, car crating, time constraints, blind searches, and working in a novel location. We will have the space to run VEHICLE searches on antique fire trucks, INTERIOR searches in a large pole barn with additional fire trucks, and CONTAINERS. 

Dogs should be comfortable searching for birch, anise, and/or clove oil. This will be a novice-friendly event, with hides set at NW1/NW2 levels. Searches can be run known (and/or paired) or blind - at the end of the day, we want you and your dog to be successful and have FUN! All searches will be run back-to-back and there will be a maximum time for each search (whether dogs have found the hides or not) in order to keep the day moving. After your searches, you are free to GO! 

Handlers are welcome to register & run multiple dogs, but there will NOT be any hide location resets. 

$35 per dog/handler team.

View Event →
Nose-vember Sniff & Go
Nov
16

Nose-vember Sniff & Go

  • Saturday, November 16, 2024
  • 9:00 AM 5:00 PM
  • Michigan Institute for Public Safety Education (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Register here!

Join us as we host our Nose-vember Sniff & Go event on Saturday, November 16th! We will be playing nosework at:

Michigan Institute for Public Safety Education

21000 Northline Rd.

Taylor, MI 48180

We are looking forward to providing a low-pressure opportunity to prep for some of the stress of a trial like staging, car crating, time constraints, blind searches, and working in a novel location. We should have space to run all 4 elements, vehicles pending.

Dogs should be comfortable searching for birch, anise, and/or clove oil. This will be a novice-friendly event, with two tracks - one NW1 track and one NW2/NW3 track. Searches can be run known (and/or paired) or blind - at the end of the day, we want you and your dog to be successful and have FUN!

Handlers will register for a one-hour timeblock and all searches will be completed during that time. After your searches, you are free to go! Handlers are welcome to register & run multiple dogs, but there will NOT be any hide location resets. 

$40 per dog/handler team.

We will be collecting donations for Do Only Good Animal Rescue, supporting Oakland County Animal Shelter. $5 from each dog registered will go to D.O.G., and we would love your support, if possible, in sending a few items off their wishlist. We’ll also be accepting in-kind donations at the Sniff & Go - feel free to bring in your extra dog supplies!

We’re looking forward to a fun day of sniffing!

View Event →
Sniff & Go
Jul
20

Sniff & Go

  • Saturday, July 20, 2024
  • 9:00 AM 4:00 PM
  • Dexter, MI 48130 (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Come get some search practice in, whether you’re prepping for a trial or just looking for something fun to do!

View Event →

Force Free Dale Dog Training

Serving clients in Metro Detroit, Michigan.

Website images by Ruff Life Photography and Rachel Burger, of Force Free Dale Dog Training.

 
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