Nosework (aka scent work or scent detection) is a

dog sport The dog (''Canis familiaris'' or ''Canis lupus familiaris'') is a domesticated descendant of the wolf. Also called the domestic dog, it is derived from the extinct Pleistocene wolf, and the modern wolf is the dog's nearest living relative. Do ...

created to mimic professional

detection dog A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. The sense most used by ...

tasks. One dog and one handler form a team. The dogs must find a hidden target

odor An odor (American English) or odour (Commonwealth English; see spelling differences) is caused by one or more volatilized chemical compounds that are generally found in low concentrations that humans and animals can perceive via their sense ...

, often ignoring distractions (such as food or toys), and alert the handler. After the dog finds the odor they are rewarded with food or a toy.

Odors

Dogs hunt for specific

s. Unlike working with professional detection dogs, all odors used in sport nosework are legal to carry and own. Each governing body sets their own standard for which odors are the target odors and which levels they are paired with. At the lower levels, a single odor would be used. At higher levels, two or three of the odors might mixed to create a unique combination odor. The odor is often dripped on a

cotton swab Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective case, around the seeds of the cotton plants of the genus ''Gossypium'' in the mallow family Malvaceae. The fiber is almost pure cellulose, and can contain minor perce ...

, which is then hidden in a search area. The odor-dripped swab is called the 'hide'. Common odors include (but are not limited to):

Anise Anise (; '), also called aniseed or rarely anix is a flowering plant in the family Apiaceae native to Eurasia. The flavor and aroma of its seeds have similarities with some other spices and herbs, such as star anise, fennel, licorice, and t ...

Birch A birch is a thin-leaved deciduous hardwood tree of the genus ''Betula'' (), in the family Betulaceae, which also includes alders, hazels, and hornbeams. It is closely related to the beech- oak family Fagaceae. The genus ''Betula'' contains 3 ...

Clove Cloves are the aromatic flower buds of a tree in the family Myrtaceae, ''Syzygium aromaticum'' (). They are native to the Maluku Islands (or Moluccas) in Indonesia, and are commonly used as a spice, flavoring or fragrance in consumer products ...

Myrrh Myrrh (; from Semitic, but see '' § Etymology'') is a gum-resin extracted from a number of small, thorny tree species of the genus '' Commiphora''. Myrrh resin has been used throughout history as a perfume, incense and medicine. Myrrh mix ...

Pine A pine is any conifer tree or shrub in the genus ''Pinus'' () of the family (biology), family Pinaceae. ''Pinus'' is the sole genus in the subfamily Pinoideae. The World Flora Online created by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and Missouri Botanic ...

Thyme Thyme () is the herb (dried aerial parts) of some members of the genus ''Thymus'' of aromatic perennial evergreen herbs in the mint family Lamiaceae. Thymes are relatives of the oregano genus ''Origanum'', with both plants being mostly indigenous ...

, Vetiver oil, and

Wintergreen Wintergreen is a group of aromatic plants. The term "wintergreen" once commonly referred to plants that remain green (continue photosynthesis) throughout the winter. The term "evergreen" is now more commonly used for this characteristic. Mos ...

Elements

An ''element'' is a specific type of search area used in nosework. Interior building search takes place on the inside of any building. Searches can be a single one room or multiple rooms. There is often an option for the search to be done on or off-leash. Exterior area search takes place outside, often it contains grass, dirt, cement and/or gravel. These searches can be especially difficult for the dogs as there are a number of new smells (trash, food, animals, etc.), the dogs work in all weather conditions, and the dogs may be tempted to

mark Mark may refer to: Currency * Bosnia and Herzegovina convertible mark, the currency of Bosnia and Herzegovina * East German mark, the currency of the German Democratic Republic * Estonian mark, the currency of Estonia between 1918 and 1927 * F ...

or eliminate. Vehicle searches are usually three or more vehicles. The 'hide' is always on the outside of the vehicle. The types of vehicle used varies from compact cars to horse trailers to semi-trucks. In container searches, the types of containers used varies depending on the level. Beginning levels use plain white cardboard boxes. More advanced levels use luggage, plastic bins, etc. Containers may be arranged in a pattern or randomly on the floor, or they may be placed up on chairs in a higher level. Buried searches are a subset of container searches meant to simulate to work that professional cadaver dogs do. The hide is placed in a container and then covered in sand or water. Handler discrimination is another category that also uses containers. Instead of a cotton swab hide, an article of clothing (usually a glove or a sock) that belongs to the dog's handler is placed in a container. The dog must then determine which box contains the correct article. This simulates the work that professional tracking dogs do when searching for people.

Governing bodies

American Kennel Club The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States. In addition to maintaining its pedigree registry, this kennel club also promotes and sanctions events for purebred dogs, including the Westminster ...

(AKC) Scent Work *Australian Canine Scent Work (ACSW): ACSW is the only governing body for nosework in Australia, established in 2014. *

Canadian Kennel Club The Canadian Kennel Club (or CKC), founded in 1888 and chartered under the Animal Purebred Act, is one of the national kennel clubs of Canada. It maintains breed registries A breed registry, also known as a herdbook, studbook or register, in ...

(CKC) Scent Detection
National Association of Canine Scent Work
(NACSW): is the oldest governing body in nosework, established in the mid-2000s. NACSW is the only organization that offers formal training for individuals who want to teach nosework. Individuals who successfully complete this instructor training program become Certified Nose Work Instructors (CNWIs). * Sporting Detection Dogs Association (SDDA): The SDDA is the first Canadian sanctioning body for nosework. Established in 2013, their first trial in western Canada took place in October 2014. *

United Kennel Club The United Kennel Club (UKC) is a kennel club founded in 1898 in the United States. In contrast with the American Kennel Club, which is non-profit and which only clubs can join, the United Kennel Club is a profit-making corporation, open to individ ...

(UKC) Nosework
United States Canine Scent Sports
(USCSS) *Canine - Work And Games (C-WAGS) first nosework trial December 2012
Icelandic NoseWork club
(ÍNWK)

Levels

The National Association of Canine Scent Work has three title levels. the first level (NW1) shows proficiency in one odor, four elements, with one 'hide' in each element. Level NW2 has two odors, four elements, two hides per element, and the container search will contain at least one distractor (food, toys etc.). Level NW3 has three odors, multiple hides in each element, and the interior search may even have no hides at all and must be called "Clear" by the team. The Sport Detection Dog Association uses only three elements; they do not use vehicles. With SDDA, level SD-S has one odor, three elements, and one hide per element. Level SD-A has two odors, three elements, up to two hides for each element, and one distractor for container. Level SD-E has three odors, three elements, up to three hides for each element, and one distractor for container. The United Kennel Club uses five odors and has five levels/titles including: Novice Nosework, Advance Nosework, Superior Nosework, Master Nosework, and Elite Nosework. The Australian Canine Scent Work follows the rules and format of NACSW. Canine - Work And Games (C-WAGS) uses four odors and nine different classes.

Benefits for behavioral problems in dogs

Nosework is a relatively new sport so little research has been done on it as a

behavior modification Behavior modification is an early approach that used respondent and operant conditioning to change behavior. Based on methodological behaviorism, overt behavior was modified with consequences, including positive and negative reinforcement conti ...

tool. A paper was presented at the 2011 American College of Veterinary Behaviorists and American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior symposium, by Dr. Valli Parthasarathy on using nosework as a behavior modification protocol. One pilot study has been done to see if human perceptions of canines change after a nosework class. Some anecdotal evidence suggests nosework has helped dogs with behavior problems. Canines with a fear of humans can work and be rewarded in an environment with people around, but the dogs are not forced to interact. In nosework dogs are worked one at a time, so canines with dog aggression are able to have fun without other dogs in close proximity. There can also be an increase in time spent with the dog, while participating in nosework. Research has shown that even a slight increase in time spent interacting with your dog, will decrease the dog's separation anxiety, improve obedience and help form a stronger human-canine bond.Clark, G. and Boyer, W. (1993). The effects of dog obedience training and behavioural counselling upon the human-canine relationship. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 37(2), pp.147-159.

References