feed2js_ck = true;

document.write('<div class="rss-box">');
document.write('<ul class="rss-items">');
document.write('<li class="rss-item">');
document.write('Be sure to visit the Trials and Events page for upcoming Scent Work events.You can also download a PDF of the Scent Work Class Schedule. QCDTC Scent Work ClassesCore Curriculum Classes –  The “Core 4” are 7-week classes intended to be taken in sequence to benefit the handler and dog team\'s development. Ø  Foundations 1 – “Learning to Hunt” is 7 weeks of fun for the dog. In this introductory class, dogs will be given the opportunity to hunt for high value “cookies” in, under and on items they might not have seen before. This class will help dogs understand that while they are hunting, it is their world, and they are not required to do anything but hunt for “cookies”. Dogs will learn that they can find cookies in tight places, under objects, on objects and in places where they have never been or were allowed to go. §  Class limited to a maximum of 8 teams   Ø  Foundations 2 – “Introduction to Odor” is a 7-week class and the dog’s first introduction to scent odor and the handler’s role in scent work. This class will start the dogs’ learning journey to find that “odor pays”. Dogs will learn how to find odor in and on many objects and surfaces. The handler will be taught the basic skills needed to compete in scent work trials. All exercises will pair odor with cookies so the dog realizes that odor = cookies (reward). Each team must have passed Foundations 1. §  Class limited to a maximum of 8 teams   Ø  Novice 1 – “Building the Team” is 7 weeks of handlers and their dogs learning how to work better as a team. Handlers will begin to recognize their dog’s communication methods telling them they “found it”. During this session, the scent odor will become the main driver for the dog’s drive to locate it and they will stop trying to locate the cookie. Additional odors that are used in competition are introduced during the class. Odor will continue to be paired with cookies to reinforce the dogs’ drive to the odor. Each team must have passed Foundations 2. §  Class limited to a maximum of 8 teamsØ  Novice 2 – The “Puzzle Class” is 7 weeks of building on skills learned in Novice 1. Teams approach new challenges that continue to build the handler-dog communication channel and strengthen the dog’s drive to odor. The class prepares teams for working on advanced skills. Odors will continue to be paired with cookies to reinforce the dogs’ drive to the odor. Handlers will learn the proper method to secondary reward during this class. Each team must have passed Novice 1.§  Class limited to a maximum of 8 teams    Ø  Short Sessions – 4 weeks:   §  Scent Work Games For Fun – Play a different game each week to improve your scent work skills.  Class limited to a maximum of 7 teams.  Must have passed Novice 1 or 2.   §  Reading Your Dog – Understanding Change of Behavior – Learn how to read your dog and identify his/her change of behavior when sourcing odor.  Class limited to a maximum of 7 teams.  Must have passed Novice 1 or 2 but primarily geared for those handlers who are still struggling with reading their dogs.   §  Start Lines and Thresholds – A great search starts way before you cross the start line. This 4-week session will help you and your dog into the right frame of mind to search. Do you know how to read your dog’s signals before the start of your search? Does your dog blast into the search area unaware that there may be a hide right under his nose? Then, this class is for you. Prerequisite: Dog/handler team must have successfully accomplished the goals of Novice 2. Most searches will be paired.   §  Excellent Containers and Beyond – This class will cover AKC excellent level containers, including discussions regarding fringe odors, odor absorption as related to container materials, and food distractors.  Areas without odor and search areas with an unknown number of hides will also be addressed.  Students must be ready to compete in NACSW NW2 or AKC Advanced or Excellent searches.   §  High, Low Enhanced Interiors - This class will present odors that are as high as 3 feet, as well as odors that are lower including on the ground, in order to teach the dogs to search both high and low in the same area.  The class should help students understand the process the dog uses in locating high and low odors.  Prerequisite: Dog/handler team must have successfully accomplished the goals of Novice 2. Most searches will be paired.   §  Oh, No!!!  How Many Hides??? – This class is designed to help handlers read the messages their dog is giving to them in areas that have no odor.  It will also help students to identify when their dog has located all odors in settings where the number of odors is unknown.  Students must be ready to compete in NACSW NW2 or AKC Advanced or Excellent searches. §  Buried Class – A 4 week specialty class geared to help teams become more proficient with the buried search.  Teams should have completed Novice 1.  The class will begin at the Novice Level and progress up to the Excellent Level. Searches will include sand and water.  Odors will include Birch, Anise and CloveHow Many Hides? – Focus is on building a team’s skills to perform successful searches in multiple areas where the number of hides is not known. Areas may not have any hides. The handler will learn how to read their dog’s behavior in these exercises. Prerequisite: Dog/handler team has experience with searching multiple areas and if competing, is ready to compete in AKC Excellent Interiors.   Excellent Interiors – Focus will be on the element of AKC Excellent Interiors. Prerequisite: Dog/handler team must have completed Novice 2 or has skills to manage searches in accordance with AKC Excellent Interior regulations (3 odors in 2 interior locations with distractors). Some searches will be paired.   Challenges with Distractors – Focus on observing dog’s behavior in the presence of distractors and understand the difference from dog’s behavior in the presence of odor. Prerequisite: Dog/handler team must have completed Novice 2.  Ø  Match Run Throughs and/or ORT preparation for anyone trialing that weekend.   .pdf-container { width: 800px; height: 600px; overflow: auto; scrollbar-width: none; /* Firefox */ -ms-overflow-style: none; /* IE, Edge */ } .pdf-container::-webkit-scrollbar { display: none; /* Chrome, Safari, Opera */ } .pdf-frame { width: 1200px; height: 1600px; border: none; }');
document.write('</li>');
document.write('</ul></div>');