Solving the Mysteries

He pauses just outside the threshold, taking in the temper and layout of the room. What does it tell him of the test to come? Have his opponents, those who designed this challenge, decided on an especially difficult puzzle? Or perhaps tried to confuse him by laying false trails? One never knows. But he is confident for he will be using his brain and his most magnificent ability - the only ability that he was born using, the only ability that will be his all the way to the end of his life. He would be using his nose, his sense of smell; incredibly strong, multi-layered, and always ready to help him understand his world.

Dramatic? Perhaps but it is an apt description of an intermediate level K9 Nose Work exercise. K9 Nosework is a sport that’s incredibly accessible to all dogs - young, old, even dogs with lingering injuries can play this marvelous game. The closest working dog analogy would be the work that’s done by bomb and drug dogs. The National Association of Canine Scentwork is the organizing body for what they call “the next urban sport for dogs.” They say that dogs “have an amazing sense of smell and a natural desire to hunt. The sport of K9 Nosework is designed to develop your dog’s natural scenting abilities by using their desire to hunt and their love of toys, food and exercise. It’s a great way for your dog to have fun, build confidence, and burn lots of mental and physical energy.”

Rooney (DC Naha Quintessential Blond, SC, HIC, NW1) and I are having such fun with this great sport.  He becomes so excited every time he sees me bring out his nosework harness!  Rooney was the first Pharaoh to begin this training and has passed his first Odor Recognition Test (ORT). Just as the lure coursing’s Junior Courser test shows the instinct to chase, the ORT shows that a dog is adequately trained to hunt for a scent and can find it in a simple challenge. Once a dog has their ORT1, they are allowed to enter into trials to begin earning their Nose Work titles.  Rooney has recently earned his first nosework title - NW1.  He had to pass tests; successfully finding the scent in four areas - container, interior, exterior, and vehicles.

 If you are not interested in titles, it is still well worth pursuing for the simple fun that’s to be had by both dog and handler. As the dog’s assistant, the handler must be really in tune with their dog, provide encouragement, and proper timing on rewards. Food and toys are the common rewards. Tails are always wagging on the happy dogs in classes.

Classes begin with a dog searching for cookies in boxes and slowly progress until a specific odor is introduced. Only one dog and handler team is working at a time. The other dogs in class are kept separately. This means reactive or fearful dogs feel safe while they are working and overly enthusiastic dogs aren’t distracted by potential play buddies. Within a few months, the dog is happily searching for just the scent without any helpful cookies paired with it. However, cookies are always a part of it, even during trials. You’ll be working indoors to begin and then will add in outdoor locations and vehicle searches. Each increase in difficulty only makes things more fun and interesting for the dog and handler.

But Pharaoh Hounds are Sighthounds?! Yes, but they do have great noses and wonderful enthusiasm. They love making their own decisions and want to do a good job. Truly, they are wonderfully suited to this sport.