Course Details
3 WEEK CLASS - Your team is growing, your dog is confident on odor, and it’s time to take that next big step! In this course, we’ll introduce advanced nosework skills designed specifically for emerging teams - those ready to move beyond foundation-level searches and start developing the tools needed for long-term success.
Training advanced skills early helps shape strong, confident search behavior from the start. In many sports, we train ahead of our current level to build fluency, problem-solving ability, and understanding - nosework is no different. By gradually adding new challenges, we strengthen communication, increase accuracy, and make complex searches more natural for the dog.
This 3-week course focuses on developing a “thinking dog” who can work independently while maintaining focus and enthusiasm. Each week offers multiple search setups and handler exercises that build both skill and strategy in realistic trial-style scenarios.
Topics include:
- Working blank search areas with confidence
- Introducing inaccessible hides (elevated, deep, or contained)
- Expanding use of multiple hides within a search area
- Developing accuracy with crack and ground hides
- Exploring new container types and setups
- Increasing the number of vehicles and exploring new vehicle setups
- Teaching a “no-pee zone” for worry free handling
- Importance of novel area searching
Dogs thrive on challenge, and handlers often find renewed motivation when they see steady progress. This course provides both — keeping searches fun, purposeful, and engaging while preparing your team for advanced trial work ahead.
Teaching Approach:
Lectures will be released at the start of each week so you can plan your week ahead. Lecture videos may run from 1 to 4 minutes long, with the average between 2-3 minutes. The lectures are designed to help a student understand the purpose of the exercise and how it might vary by team. Lectures with exercises will include a written portion, example videos, and homework. Any video lectures that include verbal information/instructions are accompanied with written steps. Gold students will have 6 minutes of video time each week. This class will work best for students who learn by reading text lectures, watching videos and who like having structured lesson plans.
This class will have a Teacher's Assistant (TA) available in the Facebook study group to help the Bronze and Silver students! Directions for joining that Facebook group will be in the classroom after you register.
Instructor: Julie SymonsJulie Symons (she/her) has been involved in dog sports for over 30 years. Starting with her mix, Dreyfus, in flyball, she went on to train and compete in conformation, agility, obedience, herding and tracking with her first Belgian tervuren, Rival. Rival was the first CH OTCH MACH Belgian...(Click here for full bio and to view Julie's upcoming courses)
