Class Overview:
Ever watched a detection dog search for explosives or narcotics and thought—could my dog do that?
They can. And it all starts here.
Level 1: Intro to Scent is your dog’s entry point into the thrilling world of scent work—based on the same skills used by professional detection dogs, just with a fun twist. Instead of explosives, your dog will be learning to hunt for birch essential oil, and trust us—they’ll love it.
You’ll learn the foundations: odor hygiene, equipment use, reward strategies, and how to read your dog’s incredible nose in action. Then comes the best part—watching your dog light up as they find their very first target odor.
This class is for newcomers and teams who are not yet on odor. It’s usually taken once, and it includes birch odor, containers, and other scent work supplies you’ll take home and keep—so you can keep the fun going and practice between classes.
Let the games begin—your dog’s nose was made for this.
Introductory Scent Graduation:
Upon completion of class, graduates will receive a special gift and a graduation photo. Teams can then move to Level 2: Beginner Scent.
Class Prerequisites:
Dogs must be over 16 weeks of age.
Dogs must be current on required vaccinations, which are outlined by age in our Vaccination Policy on the FAQ page.
Dogs should be able to eagerly eat treats in a group environment.
Dogs should not bark/lunge at people or dogs.
