Did you know? A dog’s sense of smell is between 10,000 and 100,000 times more powerful than a human’s!
Scent work is one of the most exciting and rewarding dog sports you’ve never tried — and it’s the fastest growing AKC sport. The best part? Your dog is already a superstar!
Inspired by the work of professional detection dogs, scent work channels your dog’s most powerful sense into a fun game that never looks the same twice! Dogs search for cotton swabs scented with target essential oils — birch, anise, clove, among others — hidden out of sight in a search area, either indoors or outside. Once the dog locates the scent, they must communicate their decision on their “find” to the handler, who then calls it to the judge. It’s a true team effort.
Neither the handler nor your dog knows where the odor is hidden at the start of a search, so the handler’s job is to be the bridge between the dog and the judge. In most dog sports, the handler calls the shots — in scent work, the canine leads the show, while the handler supports their efforts.
What makes scent work unique is that only the dog can detect the “right” answer. But the handler is not just a “treat dispenser” — they must ensure the dog covers the search area, they must keep track of hides, and they must accurately read their dog, which is not always an easy feat. Most scent work handlers agree it’s a lifelong pursuit to find the perfect balance in handling for each canine partner, and it’s that striving to be the best human partner for each dog that keeps this sport so fascinating to us humans on the other end of the leash. Early success is achieved by many; mastery is achieved over many years.
What else do we love? This sport is for every dog! Dogs of all ages, sizes, body types, abilities, and energy levels benefit from scent work. It’s especially great for building confidence in shy or sensitive dogs, for older dogs, and those with physical limitations whose mental acuity is still sharp.
Wondering if scent work is right for your dog? Email us! Also, ask yourself:
- Are you looking for a sport where you and your dog can build a deeper relationship and establish clearer communication?
- Does your dog love to sniff on walks?
- Do they get bored easily and need a brain game?
- Are you looking for a gentle activity that gives your dogs enrichment and excitement with minimal impact to joints and their physical body overall?
- Do you love games that don’t require major investment in new equipment or having to store large equipment at home?
If the answer is yes to any of these, scent work could be your next great adventure!
Can teams title in scent work?
Yes, several organizations offer titling opportunities in scent work, including AKC, NACSW, UCSCC, CPE, C-WAGS, UKC, and others, across both the U.S. and Canada.
Should I start scent work if I don’t ever want to compete?
Absolutely! This is a game you and your dog can play recreationally, with almost no equipment and for very little startup cost.
Watch a :30 video of scent work in action: AKC Scent Work – Advanced Trial, Feb 2026
Detailed Class Descriptions
- Intro to Scent Work Skills: Dogs search for primary (food or toy). Target odors are only introduced in this class at the very end, paired with primary, and depending on the individual progress of each dog/team. The main goal is to help handlers to read their dog’s hunt and prey drive behavior. We will also work to build drive, motivation, and anticipation in the dogs.
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- Optional add-on cost (purchased towards end of class): Scent work kit: $30 per student. The student purchases the kit to keep permanently.
- Canadian students wishing to imprint on target odors tested in Canadian venues, such as pine and wintergreen, may request a kit of those target odors; inform the instructor upon sign-up.
- Optional add-on cost (purchased towards end of class): Scent work kit: $30 per student. The student purchases the kit to keep permanently.
- Scent Work Foundations: Dogs imprint on odor by pairing primary with target odor. Dogs learn to identify birch, then anise, then clove. Focus is on simple search environments and practice drills that students can replicate in their own homes. It’s critical students complete homework provided by the instructor; the work extends beyond the one-hour weekly class.
- Optional add-on cost (purchases at start of class): Scent work kit: $30 per student; required unless student has already procured a kit elsewhere. The student purchases the kit to keep permanently.
- Canadian students wishing to imprint on target odors tested in Canadian venues, such as pine and wintergreen, may request a kit of those target odors; inform the instructor upon sign-up.
- Optional add-on cost (purchases at start of class): Scent work kit: $30 per student; required unless student has already procured a kit elsewhere. The student purchases the kit to keep permanently.
- Scent Work Skills & Drills: Thresholds, close hides, high/low problems, triangles, squares, and other common scent work challenges often experienced in trial settings, deserve their own class. For advanced teams in NW3, Excellent, or equivalent, this class focuses on 1-2 of these skills for a 6-week class, helping teams build critical competencies for trial success.