Whidbey Nose Work Classes
Enhance your dog’s innate hunt skills through treat searches, with guidance on reading their cues.
Refine the hunt motivation with basics like odor access with birch scent training paired with treats in boxes.
Evolve from treat to scent rewards, master complex searches, and learn to identify new odors with your dog.
Explore new odors, improve dog communication, and tackle advanced searches including field trips.
What is Nosework?
Keep your dog busy, tired, and happy with K9 Nose Work!
All dogs have an amazing sense of smell and a natural desire to hunt. Canine Nose Work teaches how to encourage and develop your dog’s natural scenting abilities by using its desire to hunt and its love of food, toys, and exercise. This exciting and inclusive detection-style activity is appropriate for dogs of any age, breed, size, or physical ability and handlers of all ages and abilities.
No dog training experience is necessary and each dog works separately, so it’s perfect for dogs unsuited for a normal group class setting. Minimal equipment needs and the ability to conduct indoor searches make the sport ideal for our rainy climate. National and regional events are held for those who wish to compete. Go in depth here!
Meet Your Instructor
Georgia Edwards, MD CNWI
Owner & Lead Instructor
Georgia has been teaching nose work since 2010 and is one of the most experienced instructors in the Pacific Northwest. Her interest in scent detection began during her medical career in 1995, when her certified therapy dog Gandolf showed an unusual interest in a patient who was subsequently found to have advanced breast cancer. His interest disappeared when the cancer went into remission and returned each time she relapsed. The patient began referring to it as her “dog-scan.” Over the following five years, Gandolf correctly identified five patients with advanced cancer at a breast-cancer screening clinic.
After retiring from medical practice and moving to Whidbey Island, Georgia began studying nosework. She earned her certification as a Certified Nose Work Instructor in 2010. Her Bouvier Hawkeye became the first Bouvier to earn a competitive scent-detection title. Georgia now teaches nosework from beginning through advanced levels in Langley, Washington, and hosts and judges trials for several nosework organizations. Read more here.
Why Nose Work?
Fun & Confidence
Nose work courses offer a fantastic opportunity for dogs to have a blast, boost their confidence, and sharpen their focus.
Indoor Adventure
Don’t worry about Seattle weather! Canine nose work can be taught & practiced indoors with minimal space and equipment requirements.
Enhanced Communication
Strengthen your connection with your dog in everyday activities as you both embark on this rewarding journey together.
Great Stimulation
Nosework is an intense endeavor for your dog. This much concentration is be tiring, so it’s a great way to stimulate your best friend.
Reactivity and Anxiety
Helps calm dogs that may be overly-reactive around other dogs or people, or those with generalized social or situational anxiety
Rehabilitation
Perfect for dogs with medical problems, such as hearing or sight impairment, or those who have lost a limb.