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
- Empowing dogs in tight spaces
- 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 and Video Demonstrations
Lectures are released the night before each week and include both written and video descriptions of every exercise, presented in a clear step-by-step format. The lectures are designed to help a student understand the purpose of the exercise and how it might vary by team.
Homework & Practice
Homework assignments are listed at the end of each lecture for easy reference. Each week offers several exercises, tailored to the skill level and needs of both dog and handler. Teams progress at their own pace, working at a level where the dog demonstrates confidence and understanding. Gold students will have 6 minutes of video homework time each week.
Feedback & Support
Students receive both general and personalized written feedback, often with timestamps for clarity. You may submit work from current or previous weeks to continue receiving guidance throughout the course. Each team is supported at the level they are working, with no expectation to progress beyond their dog’s readiness.
A Teacher’s Assistant (TA) will be available in the Facebook study group to support Bronze and Silver students. Directions for joining the group will be provided in the classroom after registration.
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)
