Dogs use their sense of smell to locate hidden scents in a designated search area. They are scored based on accuracy and speed, with handlers guiding them through the challenge. This event showcases a dog’s natural hunting instincts and focus.
Scentwork Events
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026 9:30 amIntro to K9 Nose Work
Intro to K9 Nose Work
Hosted By: North Star Canine Training & Sports Gear Event Type: Workshop Event Duration: 1.5 hours Register Now for Intro to K9 Nose Work
Introduce you and your dog to the fun sport of K9 Nose Work in this introductory workshop. Dogs will learn to search for hidden treats using box searches, helping them develop natural scenting abilities while building confidence, independence, and enthusiasm for the game. Handlers will focus on learning to read their dog’s behavior and body language as they encounter odor.
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026 10:00 amTry It! Tracking
Try It! Tracking
Hosted By: KM K9 Event Type: Nosework Event Duration: 2 hours Register Now for Try It! Tracking
A 2-hour mini-course on canine tracking. Participants will be presented with the basics of how to teach their dog to track and locate a missing or lost person (follow ground-borne human scent to a reward – similar to police “tracking” dogs, or man-trailing dogs or Search & Rescue dogs, etc.). All levels are welcome to this no-pressure, no-judgement, cooperative learning class where only positive, reward-based techniques are used. Participants can learn a fun way to interact with their pets, while simultaneously providing mental and physical stimulation to their dog.
Participants are asked to have a non-restrictive harness and bring A LOT of the dog’s favorite treats (or toys).
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026 11:00am, 3:00pmNosework Demonstration – Exteriors and Containers
Nosework Demonstration – Exteriors and Containers
Hosted By: Schenectady Dog Training Club Event Type: Demonstration Event Duration: 30 Minutes
See what Nosework is all about! Watch novice and advanced dogs demonstrate nosework by searching containers, vehicles and exteriors under trial conditions.
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026 11:15 amFrom Crate to Startline, Building a Solid Routine
From Crate to Startline, Building a Solid Routine
Hosted By: Adirondack Scent Work Club Event Type: Workshop Event Duration: 1.5 Hours
Scentwork isn’t just about finding the hide, It’s about everything that happens before your dog ever reaches the search area.
From crate… to leash… to start line. Scentwork is more than a searching exercise, it’s a partnership exercise that builds trust and confidence. The search doesn’t begin at “Go sniff.” It begins the second your dog steps out of the car.
This workshop will focus on building a better rountine including a solid start line release. A novice container search will be set up for the dogs to search, but not the main focus.
What to Bring
-Your scentwork gear, including long line (10-12 foot), harness, high value treats and or toy
Prerequisite:
Dogs must be imprinted on Birch
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026 11:30am, 3:30pmNosework Try It
Nosework Try It
Hosted By: Schenectady Dog Training Club Event Type: Demonstration Event Duration: 30 Minutes
Learn the first steps in teaching nosework by participating in a short class where birch will be first paired with food, then a simple container search.
Prerequisite:
Limited to 8 dogs participating – others may observe. Dogs must be under control and respond to sit and stay commands. Handlers should have treats but if not some will be provided.
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026 12:00 pmSkill Building with Nose Work Games
Skill Building with Nose Work Games
Hosted By: North Star Canine Training & Sports Gear Event Type: Workshop Event Duration: 1.5 hours Register Now for Skill Building with Nose Work Games
This workshop explores how game-based Nose Work exercises can accelerate learning, increase motivation, and improve performance for both dogs and handlers. Participants will learn how games build key skills such as reading your dog, working with time constraints, search area coverage, and problem-solving, all while creating meaningful challenge in a low-pressure environment. Attendees will get to play practical, fun, games with their dogs and other handlers.
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026 1:00 pmTry It! Detection
Try It! Detection
Hosted By: KM K9 Event Type: Nosework Event Duration: 2 hours Register Now for Try It! Detection
A 2-hour mini-course on canine detection. Participants will be presented with the basics of how to teach their dog to sniff out and respond to legal odors (similar to police “drug” dogs, or bed-bug detection dogs, etc.). All levels are welcome to this no-pressure, no-judgement, cooperative learning class where only positive, reward-based techniques are used. Participants can learn a fun way to interact with their pets, while simultaneously providing mental and physical stimulation to their dog.
Participants are asked to have a non-restrictive collar or harness and bring A LOT of the dog’s favorite treats (or toys).
Maximum of 8 participants
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026 2:00pmMock Trial Lite: Vehicles & Containers
Mock Trial Lite: Vehicles & Containers
Hosted By: North Star Canine Training & Sports Gear Event Type: Workshop Event Duration: 2 hours Register Now for Mock Trial Lite: Vehicles & Containers
Low-pressure mock trial featuring both a container search and a vehicle search. Each team will have 3 minutes per search, giving handlers and dogs a chance to practice in a trial-style setting without the stress of an official event. This is a great opportunity to build confidence, fine-tune skills, and gain experience in a supportive environment. Teams may arrive and run anytime between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM. Spots are limited to 15 teams.
Prerequisite:
Must be on odor
Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026 9:30 amIntro to K9 Nose Work
Intro to K9 Nose Work
Hosted By: North Star Canine Training & Sports Gear Event Type: Workshop Event Duration: 1.5 hours Register Now for Intro to K9 Nose Work
Introduce you and your dog to the fun sport of K9 Nose Work in this introductory workshop. Dogs will learn to search for hidden treats using box searches, helping them develop natural scenting abilities while building confidence, independence, and enthusiasm for the game. Handlers will focus on learning to read their dog’s behavior and body language as they encounter odor.
Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026 10:00 amTry It! Tracking
Try It! Tracking
Hosted By: KM K9 Event Type: Nosework Event Duration: 2 hours Register Now for Try It! Tracking
A 2-hour mini-course on canine tracking. Participants will be presented with the basics of how to teach their dog to track and locate a missing or lost person (follow ground-borne human scent to a reward – similar to police “tracking” dogs, or man-trailing dogs or Search & Rescue dogs, etc.). All levels are welcome to this no-pressure, no-judgement, cooperative learning class where only positive, reward-based techniques are used. Participants can learn a fun way to interact with their pets, while simultaneously providing mental and physical stimulation to their dog.
Participants are asked to have a non-restrictive harness and bring A LOT of the dog’s favorite treats (or toys).
Maximum of 8 participants
Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026 11:00am, 3:00pmNosework Demonstration – Exteriors and Containers
Nosework Demonstration – Exteriors and Containers
Hosted By: Schenectady Dog Training Club Event Type: Demonstration Event Duration: 30 Minutes
See what Nosework is all about! Watch novice and advanced dogs demonstrate nosework by searching containers, vehicles and exteriors under trial conditions.
Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026 11:15 amFrom Crate to Startline, Building a Solid Routine
From Crate to Startline, Building a Solid Routine
Hosted By: Adirondack Scent Work Club Event Type: Workshop Event Duration: 1.5 Hours
Scentwork isn’t just about finding the hide, It’s about everything that happens before your dog ever reaches the search area.
From crate… to leash… to start line. Scentwork is more than a searching exercise, it’s a partnership exercise that builds trust and confidence. The search doesn’t begin at “Go sniff.” It begins the second your dog steps out of the car.
This workshop will focus on building a better rountine including a solid start line release. A novice container search will be set up for the dogs to search, but not the main focus.
What to Bring
-Your scentwork gear, including long line (10-12 foot), harness, high value treats and or toy
Prerequisite:
Dogs must be imprinted on Birch
Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026 11:30am, 3:30pmNosework Try It
Nosework Try It
Hosted By: Schenectady Dog Training Club Event Type: Demonstration Event Duration: 30 Minutes
Learn the first steps in teaching nosework by participating in a short class where birch will be first paired with food, then a simple container search.
Prerequisite:
Limited to 8 dogs participating – others may observe. Dogs must be under control and respond to sit and stay commands. Handlers should have treats but if not some will be provided.
Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026 12:00 pmReading your dog – changes of behavior in real time
Reading your dog – changes of behavior in real time
Hosted By: North Star Canine Training & Sports Gear Event Type: Workshop Event Duration: 1.5 hours Register Now for Reading your dog – changes of behavior in real time
Not sure when your dog has found source? This workshop focuses on developing your ability to recognize and interpret your dog’s subtle changes of behavior as they happen. Learn how to identify shifts in body language so you can better understand what your dog is telling you in the moment. We’ll cover common indicators of odor, distraction, and uncertainty, and how your handling choices can influence what you see. Ideal for teams looking to improve timing, communication, and overall search accuracy.
Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026 1:00 pmTry It! Detection
Try It! Detection
Hosted By: KM K9 Event Type: Nosework Event Duration: 2 hours Register Now for Try It! Detection
A 2-hour mini-course on canine detection. Participants will be presented with the basics of how to teach their dog to sniff out and respond to legal odors (similar to police “drug” dogs, or bed-bug detection dogs, etc.). All levels are welcome to this no-pressure, no-judgement, cooperative learning class where only positive, reward-based techniques are used. Participants can learn a fun way to interact with their pets, while simultaneously providing mental and physical stimulation to their dog.
Participants are asked to have a non-restrictive collar or harness and bring A LOT of the dog’s favorite treats (or toys).
Maximum of 8 participants
Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026 2:00pmMock Trial Lite: Interiors & Exteriors
Mock Trial Lite: Interiors & Exteriors
Hosted By: North Star Canine Training & Sports Gear Event Type: Workshop Event Duration: 2 hours Register Now for Mock Trial Lite: Interiors & Exteriors
Join us for a low-pressure mock trial featuring both a interior search and a exterior search. Each team will have 3 minutes per search, giving handlers and dogs a chance to practice in a trial-style setting without the stress of an official event. This is a great opportunity to build confidence, fine-tune skills, and gain experience in a supportive environment. Teams may arrive and run anytime between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM. Spots are limited to 15 Teams, so early sign-up is encouraged.
Prerequisite:
Must be on odor