Question 1

Who runs Canberra Nosework Training?

Accepted Answer

Canberra Nosework Training is led by John Sam and Amy Smith, Certified K9 Nose Work® Instructors, qualified dog trainers, and active scent work competitors.

You can read more about us here - https://www.canberranosework.com.au/about-us

Question 2

What is Scent Work?

Accepted Answer

Scent work is an engaging and rewarding activity where dogs are encouraged to use their natural desire to hunt and search. Dogs are trained to search for specific odours, hidden in various environments. Scent work allows all dogs, regardless of breed or age, to access skills previously reserved for specialised working dogs, such as those used by the military or police.

​Scent work can be enjoyed on many levels. Some people engage in the game purely for enrichment and fun, only ever using food or toys in their searches. However, for those who want to expand their skills further, Scent work can be done competitively, where dogs search for the specific odors of Birch, Clove, Anise and Cypress. This type of competition takes the skill of odour detection to a more advanced level, often including complex search scenarios.

Question 3

Are Nose Work and Scent Work the same thing?

Accepted Answer

Yes — the terms "nose work" and "scent work" are often used interchangeably.

Both involve teaching dogs to use their incredible sense of smell to find hidden odours.

Whether someone calls it nose work, scent work, scent detection, or nose games, the core idea is the same: letting dogs solve scent puzzles using their amazing natural abilities.

The term K9 Nose Work® is the specific term used to describe the canine scent detection activity developed by Ron Gaunt, Amy Herot & Jill Marie O’Brien. More information can be found here - https://k9nosework.com/

Question 4

How do you teach Scent Work?

Accepted Answer

We approach training with an emphasis on creating positive learning experiences for our dogs. Rather than forcing dogs to search in specific ways, we allow them to use their instincts to explore, search, and solve problems independently. Our goal is to learn from the dogs, observing how they naturally approach a search.

​We start by teaching dogs the foundations of K9 Nose Work® by hiding their favorite food or toy in cardboard boxes. As the dogs progress, we introduce more varied search environments and gradually increase the difficulty of the challenges. When dogs find their favorite thing, they self-reward by playing with or eating the item, reinforcing the searching behavior.

​As they become more comfortable, we introduce the four ‘elements’: containers, interiors, exteriors, and vehicles. During the early stages, dogs continue searching for food or toys, allowing them to hone their scenting skills before moving on to more complex odour-based tasks.

​It’s important to us to allow our dogs to build their desire to hunt, their stamina, and their problem-solving skills. After some time on food or toy only searches, we gradually transition to working with odour, starting with Birch. At first, we pair the odour with the reward the dog is familiar with, and over time, the dog learns to search for the odour alone.

Question 5

Why teach you dog Scent Work?

Accepted Answer

Scent work taps into a dog’s natural hunting instinct, giving them a fulfilling way to burn off mental and physical energy. It’s especially beneficial for shy or fearful dogs, as it can help them build confidence. Overactive dogs can benefit as well, as scent work provides an outlet for their excess energy while engaging them in a fun and productive activity. The game encourages independent thinking and problem-solving, all while strengthening the bond between dog and handler.
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Since the activity of scent work requires little equipment and can be done almost anywhere, it’s a flexible and accessible activity. It’s also an obedience-free game that dogs can participate in without needing any prior training or formal commands.

Question 6

Why is Scent Work so good for anxious or reactive dogs?

Accepted Answer

Dogs naturally experience the world through smell, and scent work taps into this in a calm, structured way.

Scent work engages the SEEKING system in the brain — responsible for curiosity, motivation, and problem-solving.

This can result in:
calmer behaviour at home.
improved focus in distracting environments.
increased confidence in new or stressful situations.
better emotional regulation over time.

In classes, dogs work one at a time and rest safely in your car between searches so reactive dogs can enjoy the activity, too.

Shy or fearful dogs build confidence and overactive dogs put their energy into fun searches.

Question 7

What type of dog is Scent Work suitable for?

Accepted Answer

Scent work is suitable for almost every dog, including:

anxious or nervous dogs.
reactive dogs who need space and safety.
high-energy dogs needing mental stimulation.
puppies building confidence.
older dogs who still enjoy learning.
dogs and owners wanting a stronger bond.

No prior training experience is needed. If your dog has a nose, they can play the scent work game!

Question 8

What if my dog is aggressive?

Accepted Answer

Reactive dogs are very welcome at our classes, however if your dog has a problem with aggression towards people, please reach out to us first to discuss your dog and their specific requirements.

There are some dogs that the class environment will not be suitable for and we can make a plan that works for you.

Question 9

What makes Scent Work different to obedience training?

Accepted Answer

No prior training is required and no obedience is needed. This is not a traditional “do as you’re told” training environment.

Instead, dogs are encouraged to:
work independently.
make choices.
problem-solve at their own pace.

Handlers learn to read their dog rather than direct every step and every search is designed so the dog can succeed without pressure.

And it's also way more fun! Shhhhhh..... :)

Question 10

How do I get started with Scent Work classes?

Accepted Answer

Most people start with our Introduction to K9 Nose Work® course.

This course teaches the foundations of scent work at a pace that suits your dog. You'll be introduced to the box game, learn to read your dog’s unique body language, and gradually take on more complex search challenges.

You can read more, about this and our other classes, here - https://www.canberranosework.com.au/group-classes

Question 11

The Path to Competition

Accepted Answer

For those who wish to take their sniffing skills to the next level, competition trailing is the ultimate goal. In this aspect of the sport, dogs search for "blind hides" where the location of the odour is unknown to the handler.

They also learn to search for multiple hides within a single area, and in higher levels of competition, they search for an unknown number of hides in larger environments.​

​When it comes to the sport as a competition, here in Australia teams can trial in both ACSW and ANKC competitions, no matter how they have learned their skills.

Frequently Asked Questions