What is Nosework?
Nosework (you’ll also see us refer to it as ‘sniffy’) is a scent detection game that focuses on our dogs’ natural abilities and talent. Whether you have an interest in competitive dog sports or you’re simply looking for a fun and low-pressure activity to add to your dog’s life, nosework is the game for you.
This is an enriching activity for dogs of all shapes, sizes, ages, and temperaments and will add joy, purpose, and function to your dog’s life. Join our FFD Training & Nosework Club Facebook group for training inspiration and to be notified about new classes, events, and sniffy stuff happening in Southeastern Michigan.
Along with our programs below, we also offer educational webinars and Sniff & Go events, which can be found on our Events page.
What We Love About Nosework
Modifications to nosework games can be made to include any dog.
Nosework is relationship building - unlike most things in our world, nosework is dog-driven. We follow our dogs into their world, nose-first!
We’re tapping into our dog’s natural abilities and giving them access to real-life coping skills. Nosework is confidence-boosting.
Nosework is a great addition to our regular behavior modification plans. See above - we’re teaching coping skills and boosting confidence in nervous, fearful, and reactive dogs.
It’s mentally enriching! Dogs learn to problem-solve and follow target odor back to the source.
OUR PROGRAMS
Primary Searchers Drop-In
Start here!! Our Primary Searchers Drop-In sessions are geared toward dogs that are brand new to nosework. Drop-In is a great way to learn the foundations of searching, whether your end goal is competitive nosework, or you’re looking for something fun and enriching to do with your dog!
We generally host Primary Searchers at Scrubbers Self-Serve Dog Wash in Royal Oak, Michigan.
Intro to Odor Class
Intro to Odor is our 4-week class to help dogs and handlers transition to searching for competition odors (birch, anise, and clove oil). This is a hybrid class that consists of weekly video lectures and in-person classes. We LOVE teaching this class and have so much fun watching dogs and their handlers blossom into detection teams. We require dogs and handlers to attend a minimum of 3 Primary Searchers drop-in classes before signing up for ITO to ensure a smooth transition.
We generally host ITO class at a variety of locations around Royal Oak and Livonia, Michigan.
Odor Outing Drop-In
Odor Outing Drop-In classes are for dogs that are confidently searching for competition odors (birch, anise, and clove oil). These classes are held outdoors in a variety of locations in Southeastern Michigan and give teams a chance to practice their skills in novel locations. We rotate through elements and skills in each class. We open these classes via email to our Intro to Odor graduates first, and then release them on our website.