Scentsabilities Nosework Training

15/08/2024

You are running out of time!! August 15 is the LAST day to sign up!

Class Info: https://scentsabilitiesnw.com/online-classes/

14/08/2024

THURSDAY AUGUST 15 is the LAST DAY to register!

Class Information: https://scentsabilitiesnw.com/online-classes/

Class starts at only $65 and runs through September 11.

12/08/2024

WEBINAR THURSDAY!! Using Scent Theory to Your Advantage
Thursday August 15, 2024 @ 6 PM Pacific / 9 PM Eastern

Do you know why air moves and what may affect your hides? Do you know how to anticipate hide behavior based on weather, humidity, and more? Have you ever set a funky hide and you want to know WHY?

This webinar will explain in easy to understand terms how air moves and how it affects your hide's availability. We will have lots of video examples ranging from basic to very advanced. Also, if something DOES go wrong with your hide, do you know how to fix it? And finally, we will explore how to use this information to ultimately be more successful when we trial.

Hosted by Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Register at: https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/self-study/webinars

07/08/2024

Tickets on sale for 45 more minutes!

Smashing or biting boxes? Fix that BIG problem and avoid costly faults. This is a HOW TO webinar to build a reliable nose freeze alert

07/08/2024

August has REALLY heated up! My schedule for this month is on the books...

TONIGHT!! 8PM Eastern: WEBINAR "The Nose Not the Feet: Fixing That Box Smasher".... understand and address that box smashing habit and avoid costly faults. This includes HOW TO train a nose freeze indication.

Register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-nose-not-the-feet-fixing-that-box-smasher-tickets-970828633577

AUGUST 15 9 PM Eastern: WEBINAR: Using Scent Theory to Your Advantage. Hosted by Fenzi Dog Sports Academy.

Register at: https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/self-study/webinars

AUGUST 15 LAST DAY TO REGISTER FOR CLASSES!!
NW101S: Introduction to Nosework
NW265: Nosework Small Space Skill Up
NW380: Developing your Trial IQ – Reading the Nosework Dog

More Information: https://scentsabilitiesnw.com/online-classes/

AUGUST 22: The Judge's Eye: Steps to Success in AKC Containers with Ana Cilursu
Registration coming soon!

AUGUST 29: The Human Half: Developing Good Handler Foundations
Hosted by Fenzi Dog Sports Academy, Registration coming soon!

05/08/2024

Want to learn how to train a freeze alert on a container? Do you have a box smasher (or just want to train a really clear indication)?

Teach your dog to alert with the nose NOT the feet!

In this webinar, we will reveal all of the different reasons why your dog might use their feet to alert on containers rather than the nose. For the truly destructive dogs, we will use the webinar to work on a focused freeze response. We will cover the steps and demonstrate proofing and progression.

This webinar is focused on containers only, however you can use this foundation training to apply to more "hunting style" indications. If you have a dog with a long history of container smashing, flinging, chewing, or other type of destruction, this webinar will get you on the right track... and give you a tool to start to manage those behaviors.

This approach is appropriate for both food and toy reward dogs. Initial foundation training is most easily taught with food. Example videos will show both food and toy reward (including using both to regulate arousal).

This webinar will be presented by Stacy Barnett, founder of Scentsabilities Nosework, International Seminar Clinician, Fenzi Dog Sports Academy Faculty since 2015, AKC Scent Work Judge with Expert indication, K9 Detection Collaborative Podcast Host, and 11 time Summit Titleist (Judd SMTx3, Brava SMTx5, Powder SMTx3)

This will be a LIVE presentation with Q&A. If you can't make it, don't worry... it's being recorded!

Register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-nose-not-the-feet-fixing-that-box-smasher-tickets-970828633577

01/08/2024

WEBINAR ANNOUNCEMENT!! I am BACK!! Let's get to it and address the BIG issue that surrounds so many handlers... BOX SMASHING!!

"The Nose Not the Feet! Fixing that Box Smasher!"
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 7 @ 8 PM EASTERN

Smashing or biting boxes? Fix that BIG problem and avoid costly faults. This is a HOW TO webinar to build a reliable nose freeze alert. Teach your dog to alert with the nose NOT the feet!

In this webinar, we will reveal all of the different reasons why your dog might use their feet to alert on containers rather than the nose. For the truly destructive dogs, we will use the webinar to work on a focused freeze response. We will cover the steps and demonstrate proofing and progression.

This webinar is focused on containers only, however you can use this foundation training to apply to more "hunting style" indications. If you have a dog with a long history of container smashing, flinging, chewing, or other type of destruction, this webinar will get you on the right track... and give you a tool to start to manage those behaviors.

This approach is appropriate for both food and toy reward dogs. Initial foundation training is most easily taught with food. Example videos will show both food and toy reward (including using both to regulate arousal).

I will share ACTUAL TRAINING FOOTAGE of the work that I did with Powder who went from "Nuclear" on containers to having a RELIABLE NOSE FREEZE in all situations.

REGISTER AT:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-nose-not-the-feet-fixing-that-box-smasher-tickets-970828633577

Smashing or biting boxes? Fix that BIG problem and avoid costly faults. This is a HOW TO webinar to build a reliable nose freeze alert

01/08/2024

CLASS STARTS TODAY!! What did YOU pick?

NW101S: Introduction to Nosework:
This class guides you through an EASY way to get your dog on odor with excellent foundations in the comfort of your own home.

NW265: Nosework Small Space Skill Up:
Is it hot where you live? This class focuses on fun drills and skill building that you can do indoors and at home! Appropriate for all skill levels.

NW380: Developing your Trial IQ - Reading the Nosework Dog:
This class is ALL ABOUT figuring out how to be prepared for a trial and learning the #1 most important skill in nosework... READING YOUR DOG! This class will give you the nuances that you need to really understand what your dog is telling you. This class is CRITICAL for both beginners AND folks new to unknown number of hides.

Registration Links:
NW101S: https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/courses/13342
NW265: https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/courses/43298
NW380: https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/courses/9712

31/07/2024

Classes start TOMORROW!!

Three classes this term... something for all skill levels!

NW101S: Introduction to Nosework:

This class guides you through an EASY way to get your dog on odor with excellent foundations in the comfort of your own home.

NW265: Nosework Small Space Skill Up:

Is it hot where you live? This class focuses on fun drills and skill building that you can do indoors and at home! Appropriate for all skill levels.

NW380: Developing your Trial IQ - Reading the Nosework Dog:

This class is ALL ABOUT figuring out how to be prepared for a trial and learning the #1 most important skill in nosework... READING YOUR DOG! This class will give you the nuances that you need to really understand what your dog is telling you. This class is CRITICAL for both beginners AND folks new to unknown number of hides.

Registration Links:
NW101: https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/courses/13342
NW265: https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/courses/43298
NW380: https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/courses/9712

Classes are hosted through Fenzi Dog Sports Academy.

I have been FDSA Faculty since 2015 and have taught all breeds and all levels, creating successful competitive teams.

As a top level competitor who has coached hundreds of teams and who has titled three different dogs of my own at the Summit level, I know what it takes to help you to be successful. I am also an International Clinician, an AKC Scent Work Judge, SAR K9 Handler, and one of the hosts on the top rated Podcast K9 Detection Collaborative.

Classes this term run from August 1 through September 11. Class material is available 24/7. My hand selected Teaching Assistant is available for feedback to Bronze and Silver levels in all classes.

Questions or issues with registration should be directed to: [email protected]

27/07/2024

Distractions!! Is your dog working target odor when they are sniffing the ground? Guess what Nosework and Scent Work friends, the answer is NO!

I JUST finished co-teaching Distraction Camp 2024 with my two amazing K9 Detection Collaborative partners in crime, Robin Greubel and Crystal Wing, at the K9Sensus Foundation in Lucas, Iowa... here is a clip!

Essential Oil is volatile and it lofts. Even when you see a dog working a ground hide, the dog's nose is generally about 4 to 6 inches off the ground. If your dog is sniffing the ground, chances are close to ZERO that your dog is working target odor! Minor exception is tracing a crack which is a learned adaptation... and in that case, the dog is moving and not standing still.

Interested in learning more about understanding your dog's communication? Join me starting August 1 for a six week online class NW380 Developing your Trial IQ - Reading the Nosework Dog. Register Here: https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/courses/9712

24/07/2024

Interested in learning how to teach your dog Nosework? My NW101 class starts in August... gathering supplies can be easy! You don't need much... this short video explains exactly what you need.

Register for class here: https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/courses/13342

22/07/2024

TODAY IS REGISTRATION DAY!!!

NW101 is for teams wanting to learn and create good foundations from Day 1.

NW265 gives you creative ways to build your skills from the comfort of your own home. Appropriate for teams working multiple hides. Very appropriate for upper level teams.

NW380 teaches you how to develop an EYE for reading your dog.

Registration opens TODAY, July 22 @ 3 PM Eastern

For information: https://scentsabilitiesnw.com/online-classes/

21/07/2024

NEW class for this term!!

Too hot to go train? Or maybe you are just short on time? This class is about leveraging YOUR HOME to train your nosework dog. We will spend six weeks working on pieces of the puzzle that will support your overall training goals by building mechanics and skills in a way that will make you a stronger team. If you already train a lot at home, this course will give you ideas to make your sessions more creative and exciting.

We will cover CRITICAL mechanical skills that will tighten up your handling. This six weeks is NOT just about your dog! We will get your markers and communication on point and will help you to be more aware of your handling and inadvertant body pressure. We will help you to establish habits that will carry over into larger spaces.

Your home also brings so many unique options that you may not have explored! Hot spots and cool spots can help your dog learn to work more complicated air flow. Of course if your home is anything like mine, you also have plenty of tight spaces to work and areas for inaccessible hides.

Then of course we will work key hide placement setups with whole house searches and if you have access, combining indoor and outdoor spaces or incorporating non living spaces like garages and basements.

Of course we will also cover building close proximity skills and threshold hide placements using my methods for sensitization to those specific hide placements as well a working container distractions.

This class pulls together everything you can do at home into one class!

Registration Opens: July 22 @ 3 PM ET
Class Starts: August 1

More information at to register: https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/courses/43298

21/07/2024

I am putting the finishing touches on my Week 1 lectures for Nosework Small Space Skill... I noticed that the lectures in Week 1 are all so fundamentally important that the concepts can literally make or break the success of a team. I also realized that these concepts aren't "sexy" and that many students might actually rush through them! My suggestion is DON'T! Take your time build your skills here because we spend so much time working on the dog side that we often neglect the human side... THIS LIST is a pretty thorough roadmap to banging the kinks out of your handling and helps your training to add a few powerful gears... THIS LIST is our concept focus for WEEK 1 of NW265.

- How to delivery reinforcement in a way that will maximize motivation
- Why reinforcement is your #1 weapon against distraction
- Motivation vs. Drive vs. Arousal
- How to assess if your communication is clear
- Qualities of an effective marker
- Location Specific Markers and incorporating them into different modes of reinforcement
- How your timing of your marker effects your behavior chain
- Identifying and reading the different phases of the searching behavior chain
- How to purposely emphasize sourcing vs alerting using marker timing shifts
- Using the transition between hides to regulate and downshift arousal to fine-tune focus
- Use of the Release Cue to help the dog to understand that a hide is complete

I have been teaching the concepts in pockets in all of my classes for years. In fact, the Release Cue used AFTER reinforcement is a concept I pioneered in the sport of nosework and has been the cornerstone in my teaching to eliminating conflict in the decision to re-feed or not at a hide. That concept as well as using the transition between hides to practice arousal mobility so that I can maximize my motivation while finetuning my focus... these and the other concepts on the list will add power to your handling.

Class registration opens July 22 at 3 PM Eastern
https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/courses/43298

20/07/2024

It's that time again! Learn Nosework (Scent Work) QUICKLY and EASILY from the comfort of your own home. I will teach your dog to value odor and to be precise, confident, and motivated without needing to pair odor with food. Whether you want to learn and eventually compete at the highest levels or if you just want something new and fun to play with your best friend, you can be successful. Class registration at Fenzi Dog Sports Academy opens on July 22 at 3 PM ET. Lectures are available 24/7 and you have the opportunity for feedback at all enrollment levels, starting at only $65 for 6 weeks. And.... I can tell you that these methods are proven.... why? Because I have not only used them on my own dogs who consistently perform and title at the highest level, I have also taught this method to thousands of successful teams. Get on board with me for class starting August 1 and prepare to have a BLAST!!

More information: https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/courses/13342

19/07/2024

Part 2 is out!

Episode 115: Talking Detection Dogs with Adee Schoon Part 2

“So I think dog training is almost 90% thinking and preparing, and 10% working with your dog.”

This is part 2 with Adee Schoon, an expert in the detection field with over three decades of experience, to explore her diverse and groundbreaking projects.

Listen for how Adee and team, together with Amsterdam University and a local fertility clinic, faced numerous challenges solving sexual crimes. Discover how these canine detectives are transforming forensic investigations, enhancing accuracy, and speeding up case resolutions.

We dissect the intriguing ways in which a dog's natural tendencies—whether they're quick to alert or more methodical—affect their performance. Comparing high-pressure training scenarios like mine detection to more relaxed, recreational approaches, highlighting the importance of tailoring training strategies to individual dogs. By understanding and adapting to each dog's unique behavior, trainers can maximize both effectiveness and safety for the canine and its handler.

Adee recounts stories of dogs identifying fungus-infected wood under extreme conditions and even tackling complex tasks like recognizing different types of vanilla scents. This episode also offers a glimpse into the broader implications of using dogs for natural substance detection and the crucial need for validated studies to ensure reliability.

Listen to this episode on any podcast player or our website to see the show notes and special links: https://www.k9detectioncollaborative.com/post/copy-of-talking-detection-dogs-with-adee-schoon-pt-2

Check out k9detectioncollaborative.com to enjoy the freebies and tell your friends so you can keep the conversations going.

Stacy can be found on Facebook and Instagram
Robin can be found on Facebook and Instagram.
Crystal can be found on Facebook or

14/07/2024

Given that the Summer has been brutally HOT for so many, I decided to teach a new class this August that can be done mostly at home! NW265 Nosework Small Space Skillup is going to be a fun way to hone your skills in a more climate controlled setting....

I just finished the Sample Lecture, and decided to also post the lecture as a Blog on my website.... I picked a lecture for Week 1 covering a topic that I have been providing feedback on FOR YEARS... and now has a very specific lecture demonstrating how to be more effective... MARKERS!!! Marker Curious?? Or maybe you use them and you would like to know how to improve them? Or maybe you aren't aware of what improvements to make? (the class has WAY WAY MORE IN IT! This is just one lecture)

https://scentsabilitiesnw.com/blog/clarity-with-markers/

If you are interested in the class.... head over to: https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/courses/43298

Stacy Barnett, founder of Scentsabilities Nosework, is a top competitor, international clinician, AKC Scent Work Judge and FDSA instructor.

29/06/2024

Recently on a social media post, a handler asked about training a TFR (Trained Final Response) and whether it was better to train one before or after introducing odor. I wanted to respond.

That is actually two very different questions...

Should you train a TFR? The answer is complicated. Keep in mind that my answer is focused on SPORT.... meaning, Nosework, also called Scent Work, NOT Pro application.

First of all, there is no one correct answer. You must always train the dog in front of you. Dogs vary in their searching style, information processing, type of focus, and drive levels. What is right for one dog may not be for another.

TFR's really fall into two categories: Handler Selected and Dog Selected. When the handler selects the TFR (usually a freeze, sit, or down), the handler also selects the timing and manages the criteria for the alert behavior. For example, the criteria might be the sequence (1) dog locates source with nose on source, (2) dog sits. When the dog selects the behavior, such as a Look Back or Paw, the dog decides the timing of the alert behavior. Meaning that the dog will Look Back at the handler when the dog believes that they are "good enough" and essentially asks the handler for reward.

Both Handler Selected and Dog Selected TFR's have drawbacks.

Handler Selected TFR's are REALLY EASY to train badly. Most of the time, the breakdown occurs because the criteria for nose on source BEFORE the alert behavior gets forgotten OR the handler is so focused on teaching the behavior that the dog starts to value the behavior over sourcing the hide. Sure, you can read it... but if not trained and MAINTAINED, fringe responses (alerts off source) are common.

Dog Selected TFR's are equally challenging because the dog may skip the sourcing criteria completely and based on reinforcement history may start to alert on pools of odor. This is especially common when handlers don't have an effective communication system to keep the focus of the dog on sourcing. (We will have to talk separately about marker systems because I truly believe that a good marker can fix a good many issues!). The upside of the Dog Selected TFR is that the behavior that the dog gives is generally an easy "Go To" behavior for the dog, unlike Handler Selected TFRs which can be costly behaviors to the dog.

Also.... DRIVE MATTERS.

I learned a concept from a working dog trainer (Tazzie Winkler.... we hosted her on the Podcast!) that a TFR caps drive. When you have a TFR on a very high drive dog, the stationary and focused behavior helps to channel the arousal and focus, and allows the high drive dog to then effectively continue working once released from the behavior. It's an incredibly helpful tool in that case. I taught a Nose Freeze on containers to Powder and instead of her going nuclear on containers, the freeze contains all of that energy and I can work her in drive. I also see it when doing the Refind sequence with Prize when she is doing her SAR work. Her TFR in that case includes running back to me and Downing at my feet before I cue her to lead me to the subject. However, these are VERY high drive dogs and that level of drive is pretty uncommon on the sport side. What I generally see when I see dogs taught a TFR in sport is that instead of capping the drive, the TFR actually reduces the energy overall and in low drive dogs reduces the dog's desire to work all the way to source.

Why do handlers seek a TFR?

Generally handlers seek a TFR for one of two reasons in Sport.... (1) they can't read when their dogs are at source, or (2) the dog is being destructive. For either of these reasons, make sure you are applying the right fix and not causing new and other issues.

If you can't read your dog, it's either because you haven't learned yet and don't realize the your dog really is giving you a ton of information, or it's because your dog lacks confidence and motivation and is therefore non-emotive in searching mostly because much of their focus is on safety or because motivation just hasn't been built.

If the dog is destructive, a TFR might be a necessity. But ask yourself if the dog is destructive because you haven't communicated properly? Box smashing for instance can be a frustration response. A pawing behavior is a Dog Selected TFR... have you reinforced it? Good marker mechanics, timing, and minimizing frustration can help. However, you might HAVE TO train a TFR in order to replace current behaviors with a new one.

For Sport Dogs, my general recommendation is to focus your education on understanding what your dog is telling you.... build confidence and motivation and learn how to properly communicate with a good marker so that you can avoid frustration and can avoid building in destructive behaviors. TFR's have their place.... and they are seductively alluring because they look sexy (when done well) and they can seem so easy to read.... but a TFR is fraught with danger because you have to do it WELL and you MUST maintain it. If your dog is giving you a Dog Selected TFR naturally, make sure you have a good system of communication (like a marker) so that you can reinforce your criteria for sourcing.

If you have your heart set on a TFR, get the help of a qualified trainer because if you don't do it well, you are going to feel the impact of your training mistakes for a very long time. And the more complicated the search or the level, the more likely you will have issues.

As to the question of when to train one... that answer has to do with the hunt drive in your dog, the desire to work odor, and your dog's natural degree of handler focus. If you have a dog with high hunt drive, high desire to work odor, and naturally independent.... it won't matter when you introduce a TFR. If you have a dog with lower natural hunt drive, more visual, or more naturally handler focused, introducing a TFR before introducing hunting will generally turn into a mess of false alerts as the dog may default to the behavior when frustrated or just when they want the cookie.

In the end, you have to make the right decision for YOUR DOG. A good TFR is pretty awesome.... but they are a double edged sword. And if you want to go down that path, have a plan for maintaining it.

25/06/2024

Want a Sneak Peak? Here's a short sample of my webinar on Thursday. "The Sweet Spot: Building Momentum in Confidence and Motivation in Nosework"

THURSDAY June 27, 2023 @ 6 PM Pacific/9 PM Eastern
Hosted by Fenzi Dog Sports Academy

Register at: https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/self-study/webinars

Does your dog have a Confidence issue or a Motivation issue? It's a tougher question than it sounds because so often dogs have a combination of the two and it can be hard to crack the code to build them up. It doesn't have to be though! When we train these very special dogs in a way that builds them up, they develop more independence, more resilience, more "go", and a whole lot more JOY.

These dogs require patience, empathy, and a bit of creativity... there are no "quick fixes" but there IS a formula... in this webinar we will explore that formula and learn how to find the "Sweet Spot" where Confidence and Motivation start building momentum... confidence builds motivation and motivation builds confidence!

My inspiration for this webinar is my 13 year old Miniature American Shepherd named Why, who recently earned his Elite Champion in NACSW. Our journey in building his confidence and motivation is a decade long... he taught me what works... and what doesn't... Why went from a dog too nervous to even eat in a class situation and who could barely search 3 boxes in his own front yard, to winning his final Elite search.

Training a sensitive dog is full of ups and downs... my wish for all of you is to have way more ups than downs but to also understand the journey. When you understand the journey and you have a formula to help guide you, it makes the journey a little bit easier!

Join me to find that Confidence and Motivation Momentum Sweet Spot!