Current classes are listed. New classes post on Fridays.
During class sessions any dog who is not in the ring with his handler and/or the instructor must be in a crate. The “next dog up” may be out of crate, but out of “dog leaving ring” flow
Intro to Scent Detection - Beginning (1a)
7 weeks - class size limit 6 students
NOTE: Only one dog per handler
This class is for dogs who have not previously been introduced to odor. This class introduces the concept of the game, builds handler observation skills and timing, and develops the dog’s confidence and focus. These classes begin with the dog searching for their food or toy in order to build their independent searching ability and to sharpen the handler’s skills. This class will cover the basic principles of Scent Detection needed for the dog and handler team to be successful. The skills learned in class will help create a strong foundation to build upon. Dogs of any age are welcomed and since dogs are crated when not working, dog reactive dogs can participate also.
7 weeks - class size limit 6 students
NOTE: Only one dog per handler
This class is for dogs who have not previously been introduced to odor. This class introduces the concept of the game, builds handler observation skills and timing, and develops the dog’s confidence and focus. These classes begin with the dog searching for their food or toy in order to build their independent searching ability and to sharpen the handler’s skills. This class will cover the basic principles of Scent Detection needed for the dog and handler team to be successful. The skills learned in class will help create a strong foundation to build upon. Dogs of any age are welcomed and since dogs are crated when not working, dog reactive dogs can participate also.
Mondays 10:00-10:45am. Rhoda Ezell CNWI
June 9-July 21, 2025
June 9-July 21, 2025
Tuesdays 6:00-6:45pm. Colleen Fox
July 1-August 13, 2025 No class:7/15/25
July 1-August 13, 2025 No class:7/15/25
Intro to Scent Detection - Intermediate (1b)
7 weeks - class size limit 6 students
NOTE: Only one dog per handler
Prerequisite: Intro to Scent Detection - Beginning or permission of instructor.
This class is a continuation of the foundation work started in Intro to Scent Detection - Beginning. This class will continue to work on the basic foundational skills building the dog’s drive and focus along with the handler observational skills. This class will increase the complexity of searches to better prepare teams to move on to Introduction to Scent Detection - Advanced.
FULL. Thursdays 6:00-6:45pm. Colleen Fox
April 10- May 22, 2025
April 10- May 22, 2025
Thursdays 7:00-7:45pm. Colleen Fox
May 8--June 26, 2025
May 8--June 26, 2025
Thursdays 7:00-7:45pm. Beth Eicher
May 8--June 26, 2025
May 8--June 26, 2025
Intro to Scent Detection - Advanced (1c)
7 weeks - class size limit 10 students
NOTE: Only one dog per handler
Prerequisite: Intro to Scent Detection - Intermediate (SD 1b)
This class is a continuation of skills learned in Intro to Scent Detection Beginning and Intermediate. Searches will continue with primary in containers and objects.The class will concentrate on skills that will prepare you to move forward to Intro to Odor where you will begin pairing with odor.
7 weeks - class size limit 10 students
NOTE: Only one dog per handler
Prerequisite: Intro to Scent Detection - Intermediate (SD 1b)
This class is a continuation of skills learned in Intro to Scent Detection Beginning and Intermediate. Searches will continue with primary in containers and objects.The class will concentrate on skills that will prepare you to move forward to Intro to Odor where you will begin pairing with odor.
FULL Tuesdays 6:00-6:45pm. Colleen Fox
April 8 - May 27, 2025 No class: May 20
April 8 - May 27, 2025 No class: May 20
FULL Thursdays 7:00-7:45pm Colleen Fox /Beth Eicher / Edith Markoff CNWI
July 17- September 4 No class: July 28
July 17- September 4 No class: July 28
Intro to Odor - Beginning (2a)
7 weeks - class size limit 6 students
NOTE: Only one dog per handler
Prerequisite: Intro to Scent Detection - Advanced or equivalent.
This class introduces the odors used in some of the various venues (NACSW, AKC, CPE) of scent detection. The class builds on all of the foundation skills acquired in the Intro to Scent Detection classes but with odor added. Typically, the first target odor introduced will be Birch. Anise, and Clove, and Cypress. will be added during the course levels --Intro to Odor. The concept of pairing is introduced which serves to condition the dog to odor and to develop good sourcing through self-reward.
7 weeks - class size limit 6 students
NOTE: Only one dog per handler
Prerequisite: Intro to Scent Detection - Advanced or equivalent.
This class introduces the odors used in some of the various venues (NACSW, AKC, CPE) of scent detection. The class builds on all of the foundation skills acquired in the Intro to Scent Detection classes but with odor added. Typically, the first target odor introduced will be Birch. Anise, and Clove, and Cypress. will be added during the course levels --Intro to Odor. The concept of pairing is introduced which serves to condition the dog to odor and to develop good sourcing through self-reward.
Mondays 11:00 -11:45am. Rhoda Ezell CNWI
June 9- July 21, 2025
June 9- July 21, 2025
Intro to Odor - Intermediate (2b)
7 weeks - class size limit 6 students
NOTE: Only one dog per handler
Prerequisite: Introduction to Odor - Beginning (2a) or equivalent.
This class is a continuation of the Pairing of Target Odor and either food or toy. Handler/dog teams will build on the skills to search for the target odor in a variety of settings. By the end of Level 2b, all three basic target odors will have been presented. This class will also continue to work on the handler skills and timing involved in rewarding their dogs for sourcing odor. Prerequisite: Introduction to Odor (Scent Detection Level 2a)
7 weeks - class size limit 6 students
NOTE: Only one dog per handler
Prerequisite: Introduction to Odor - Beginning (2a) or equivalent.
This class is a continuation of the Pairing of Target Odor and either food or toy. Handler/dog teams will build on the skills to search for the target odor in a variety of settings. By the end of Level 2b, all three basic target odors will have been presented. This class will also continue to work on the handler skills and timing involved in rewarding their dogs for sourcing odor. Prerequisite: Introduction to Odor (Scent Detection Level 2a)
FULL Tuesdays 7:00 -7:45pm. Rhoda Ezell CNWI
May 27--July 8, 2025
May 27--July 8, 2025
FULL Tuesdays 7:00 -7:45pm. Vicki Vogel
May 27--July 8, 2025
May 27--July 8, 2025
Intro to Odor - Advanced (2c)
7 weeks - class size limit 7 students
NOTE: Only one dog per handler
Prerequisite: Introduction to Odor - Intermediate or equivalent.
This class is a continuation of the Pairing of Target Odor and either food or toy. Handler/dog teams will build on the skills to search for the target odor in a variety of settings. By the end of Intro to Odor - Advanced, all three basic target odors will have been presented. This class will also continue to work on the handler skills and timing involved in rewarding their dogs for sourcing odor.
7 weeks - class size limit 7 students
NOTE: Only one dog per handler
Prerequisite: Introduction to Odor - Intermediate or equivalent.
This class is a continuation of the Pairing of Target Odor and either food or toy. Handler/dog teams will build on the skills to search for the target odor in a variety of settings. By the end of Intro to Odor - Advanced, all three basic target odors will have been presented. This class will also continue to work on the handler skills and timing involved in rewarding their dogs for sourcing odor.
Tuesdays 7:00 -7:45pm. Rhoda Ezell CNWI
July 29--September 9, 2025
July 29--September 9, 2025
Tuesdays 7:00 -7:45pm. Vicki Vogel
July 29--September 9, 2025
July 29--September 9, 2025
Searching Foundations - Level 3
7 weeks - class size limit 7 students
NOTE: Only one dog per handler
Prerequisite: Intro to Odor - Advanced or equivalent training.
Students will use the skills learned in Intro to Odor [Level 2] classes to perform more complex searches. Dogs must be on birch, anise, and clove.
7 weeks - class size limit 7 students
NOTE: Only one dog per handler
Prerequisite: Intro to Odor - Advanced or equivalent training.
Students will use the skills learned in Intro to Odor [Level 2] classes to perform more complex searches. Dogs must be on birch, anise, and clove.
FULL Fridays 6:00 -6:45pm. Rhoda Ezell CNWI / Katie Holnbeck
June 13--August 1, 2025 No class: 7/4. The 7/11 class will be held off-site.
June 13--August 1, 2025 No class: 7/4. The 7/11 class will be held off-site.
FULL Fridays 7:00 -7:45pm. Vicki Vogel / Traci Bradley
June 13--August 1, 2025 No class: 7/4. The 7/11 class will be held off-site.
June 13--August 1, 2025 No class: 7/4. The 7/11 class will be held off-site.
SCENTWORK DISTRACTORS CLASS
4 weeks - class size limit 6 students
NOTE: Only one dog per handler
Prerequisite: Dog must be on birch, anise, and clove
Dogs practice searching areas with distractors to learn to ignore them and focus on sourcing odor.
4 weeks - class size limit 6 students
NOTE: Only one dog per handler
Prerequisite: Dog must be on birch, anise, and clove
Dogs practice searching areas with distractors to learn to ignore them and focus on sourcing odor.
FULL Wednesdays 6:30-7:30pm. Edith Markoff CNWI
May 14 --June 4, 2025
May 14 --June 4, 2025
FULL Wednesdays 8:00-9:00pm. Edith Markoff CNWI
May 14 --June 4, 2025
May 14 --June 4, 2025
SCENTWORK OPEN CLASS SEARCHES
NOTE: Only one dog per handler
Prerequisite: Dogs must be on Birch, Anise, and Clove
Practice Searches OFF-SITE. Location details are given after each search listing.
CASH only day of searches. No pre-registration.
$5 for members *** $10 for non-members
Harsha Dam East Fork Lake *** Free Entry
June 4, 2025 10am - noon
Harsha Dam East Fork Lake: For the Harsha Dam park searches, Access to the south side is from State Route 125. The East Fork State Park & Watercraft office is located at 2185 Slade Road, Batavia, OH. We will meet at the office parking lot.
Woodland Mound Park **requires $5 Daily Entry fee or Annual Park Pass
June 11, 2025 10am - noon
Woodland Mound Park: The address for Woodland Mound Park is 8250 Old Kellogg Road Cincinnati, OH 45255. FYI; You cannot access the park from 8-mile road because of road construction. You will need to access the park from the 9-mile side. We will meet in the Nature Center parking lot.
Practice for Urban Rat NOVICE Trials
4 Weeks
One Dog per Handler
Are you interested in competing in Urban Ratter Novice events?
Instructors will introduce you and your dogs to basic strategies for competing.
You and your dog will have fun searching and learning to identify the rat in pretend urban settings using clean papers, boxes, and objects---settings that simulate an urban alley. No hay or straw is used in this set-up.
Class will include your dog's introduction to a rat and lessons on starting strategies for a trial.
FULL 4 weeks - class size limit 10 students
Sundays 9:00am-10:30am Don Ventre / Beth Eicher / Abi Despoy
May 4 - May 25, 2025
Sundays 9:00am-10:30am Don Ventre / Beth Eicher / Abi Despoy
May 4 - May 25, 2025
Urban Rat INTERMEDIATE class
4 Weeks
One Dog per Handler
Prerequisite: You must have taken the Beginner Urban Rat class or Instructor approval.
Instructors will give added techniques for you and your dogs to compete in Urban Ratter trials--Novice and Intermediate.
Dogs should be familiar with rat searches in pretend urban settings using clean papers, boxes, and objects---settings that simulate an urban alley. No hay or straw is used in this set-up.
Come and learn more strategies for competing and searching.
4 Weeks
One Dog per Handler
Prerequisite: You must have taken the Beginner Urban Rat class or Instructor approval.
Instructors will give added techniques for you and your dogs to compete in Urban Ratter trials--Novice and Intermediate.
Dogs should be familiar with rat searches in pretend urban settings using clean papers, boxes, and objects---settings that simulate an urban alley. No hay or straw is used in this set-up.
Come and learn more strategies for competing and searching.
FULL 4 weeks - class size limit 10 students
Sundays 9:00am-10:30am Don Ventre / Beth Eicher
June 29--August 3, 2025 No class: 7/13 and 7/27
Sundays 9:00am-10:30am Don Ventre / Beth Eicher
June 29--August 3, 2025 No class: 7/13 and 7/27