K9 Nose Work Building Blocks

Building and Maintaining the Versatile and Confident
K9 Nose Work   Dog - A Two-Part Seminar Series

PART ONE :   THE EXERCISES

with Amy Herot, NACSW™ Co-Founder

Co-hosted by Flint Hill K-9/Leah Gangelhoff and Kathy Pierce

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November 23-24, 2019  •  Bessemer, AL 35022

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15 CEUs for CPDT (both days - Sat only TBA)

10 CEUs for CNWI (5 per day)

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Whether your dog is a professional search/scent dog or sport dog, there are many common traits, skills and working styles that are desirable in a working scent detection dog. Developing a good search dog begins with a training program tailor-made for the dog in front of you. The trainer must understand how to adapt the exercises and pace the training speed appropriately for the dog to build and maintain a versatile and confident K9 Nose Work dog.

 

This two-part seminar series will focus on a large variety of training exercises and the details, variations, and examples of how to adjust the exercises for all skill levels, different types of dogs, and environments. Amy will cover how to set up exercises that build on the dog’s expectations and cumulative learning as well as how to troubleshoot. Learn how and when to adjust your training or shift the environment for success without overstepping to help the dog.

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Together, the two-part series will provide the handler with a broad picture of developing a well-rounded, versatile and confident scent detection dog. The seminar is intended to be viewed in two integrated segments that, when applied together, will cover baseline exercises, environmental influence and perspective, and troubleshooting exercises for all levels.

 

Part One: The Exercises

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Saturday, November 23, 2019 - Lecture Portion

Sunday, November 24, 2019 - Working Demo Teams

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Part One of this series starts by covering exercises you can do in your everyday training environment. Amy will review various skills and the types/categories of exercises to employ and will illustrate how to adapt and adjust these exercises based on the level and experience of the dog. The emphasis will be on the learning acquisition of skill sets and how to use these exercises as important building blocks for continued development and maintenance training to support all levels of competition.  

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Part Two: Building Blocks on the Road (Dates TBA - will be 2020) 

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The second part of this series will expand on environment and discuss the process and importance of taking building block exercises (from Part One) on the road for a confident and versatile competition search dog. Amy will discuss how to expand and adapt the exercises outside of your regular training environment all the while supporting the experience level of the dog. She will look at why environment plays an important role in the odor picture for the dog and how to assess what is happening to the odor and to your hide placement. Understanding environment and how it impacts your dog’s ability to solve the problem is key to creating the right building blocks for your dog.

 

Geared to all levels, this follow up seminar will break down the components that affect the dog’s ability and confidence in a variety of environments, how to manage environmental extremes, what the dog’s behavior in a novel environment reveals about foundational holes or confusion, and what you can do to support your dog.

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Part One: The Exercises - REGISTER HERE

Please read all registration information carefully before submitting your registration

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Saturday, November 23, 2019 - Lecture Portion

Sunday, November 24, 2019 - Working Demo Teams

 

Location

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Bessemer Civic Center

1130 9th Ave SW

Bessemer, AL 35022

 

Seminar Description and Structure

This seminar is open to all K9 Nose Work® enthusiasts that have a

basic understanding of K9 Nose Work® training techniques.

 

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. each day

Check in and set-up 8:30 – 9:00 a.m.  

 

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Lecture/Video/Discussion Format

 

Sunday, November 24, 2019

Demonstration with Working Dogs

There will be 15 demo dog spots

 

  • Participating dogs should be on all three odors

  • A title is not required, but because the purpose of the Demonstration day is illustrate dogs working odor challenges, dogs should be very driven, resilient to challenging environments, should have strong odor obedience - meaning the drive to odor/source should override all other aspects of the environment, and be comfortable being watched by a large group of people.

  • Dogs who have less experience or understanding of odor or who can become easily distracted by the environment would not be well suited for a working spot for this seminar.

  • Additionally, dogs who are environmentally sensitive or reactive/aggressive with people or more than mildly reactive with other dogs would not be well suited for this type of demonstration.

  • This is a two-day workshop and in order to attend Sunday, all participants wanting to be considered for a working demo spot will need to attend Saturday.

  • Participants who would like to be considered for a working demo spot must be willing to audit if they do not get selected. We cannot take registrations from people who only want to work a dog in order to attend.

 

At the time of registration, all participants will pay a workshop fee of $285.00 as listed below. If a team is selected for a working spot (chosen closer to the date of the seminar), the participant will then pay an additional $120.00 for the demo dog spot. Teams selected for a demo dog spot will be notified by email including a link to submit additional payment within 7 days of notification. Demo dog teams will be selected based on their skill level and an effort to show a variety of dogs and styles for the learning benefit of all participants. Please be sure to read the cancellation policy below before registering.

 

Demo Dog Teams

  • Dogs will need to be comfortable crated in a kennel or staying in the car. Please bring bedding, cool covers, pop-ups, fans or whatever your dog needs to be made comfortable and cool/warm enough in between working exercises.

  • Dogs must be able to stay quietly in their vehicles out of sight from their handlers.

  • Only one dog/handler team per household will be selected but you may submit more than one of your dogs for consideration.

  • We will let you know closer to the date of the seminar if your dog is selected for a demonstration - we are looking for a variety of breeds/sizes/levels. The additional fee for a demo dog spot is $120 in addition to the regular workshop fee. This fee will be payable online at a link given to you in the notification email.  This fee must be paid within 7 days of notification of your selection for a demo dog spot. Please read cancellation policy below before registering.

 

Seminar Cost

Saturday only (1-day only) $175

Saturday/Sunday (2-days) – $285

 (Saturday attendance is required to attend Sunday)

 

If your dog is selected for a demo dog spot for Sunday – $120.00 additional for the demo spot will be due within seven days of notification that your dog was selected. If not received within the seven days, that spot will be replaced by another dog if we are not able to contact you. A link for payment will be provided in your notification email.  Please read the cancellation policy below before registering.

 

CEUs

NACSW™ – 2-Day Seminar – 10 CEUs

1-Day Saturday Only – 5 CEUs

 

CCPDT - 2-Day Seminar

CEUs TBA (pending) 

 

Refreshments/Lunch

Coffee, water, soda, and snacks will be provided.  Lunch is on your own.  If possible, plan to bring a lunch or research nearby locations before the seminar weekend. The lunch break will be one hour.

 

What to Bring

  • Chairs will be provided, but if you wish, you may bring your own chair. Some demonstrations may be outside and you could find a chair useful for those. 

  • Note-taking supplies 

  • Weather-appropriate clothing and shoes, bring layers and rain gear, as we will likely be working outside as well as inside.

  • Demo Dog handlers should bring a flash drive and a PADDED self-addressed envelope with plenty of postage (8 stamps) to receive a video of their searches.

 

Dog Policy

Saturday is a lecture-style format.  If you are local, please leave your dog at home on Saturday. If you’re traveling and have a demo dog spot, however, obviously your dog may need to be with you.

 

Any demo dogs or dogs in cars will need to be comfortably secured in your car.  Please bring bedding, cool covers, pop-ups, fans, water or whatever your dog needs to be made comfortable and cool/warm enough in the car.

 

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations MUST be made in writing BY EMAIL ONLY to Leah Gangelhoff at leah@flinthillk9.com (no phone calls, texts, or other form or communication will serve as a valid cancellation). Your cancellation is not confirmed until you receive an email confirmation from Leah that it has been received. Any cancellations must be made before 6:00 p.m. Central time on Wed., Oct. 2, 2019. If notice of cancellation is received before the deadline refunds will be given, less a $25 non-refundable administration fee for a Saturday only spot or $40 for a Saturday/Sunday spot. If notice is not received before the deadline no refund will be given for any reason unless you find a replacement. (NOTE: if you have a working demo spot and need to cancel after the deadline, your spot can only be given to an auditor in order for you to receive a refund as we will offer your working spot to someone already registered who did not get chosen initially). Upon your replacement person’s registration and payment, you will receive a refund as stated above. Seminar will take place regardless of weather.

 

Photo, Video, and Audio-Taping Policy

Audio and/or videotaping is not permitted on Saturday. On Sunday working participants ONLY may have someone videotape only their own dog if they wish. The rule is that only ONE other video camera that is not one of the presenter's can be taping and only if requested by the current working handler. 

Photographs of search areas may be taken. Please be courtesy of photographing the area only and not participants or attendees.

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Presenter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amy Herot, CPDT-KA, K9 Nose Work® & NACSW™ Co-Founder

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Amy is a professional K9 trainer and handler and brings over a decade of experience to her work. She has certified teams in Narcotics and Explosives and has logged over 1500 instructional hours in detection dog training.  As co-founder of K9 Nose Work®, and the National Association of Canine Scent Work, LLC (NACSW™), she has sought to bring that experience to companion dogs and handlers through the development of nose work classes and sport events. She and her partners launched and sponsored the first organized Fun Nose Work competition, a Nose Work Practice Match and the first national K9 Nose Work™ trial, a titling event in January 2009.

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In the canine sport world Amy has trained dogs for tracking, agility, sheepherding, protection sports, and detection.  She has competed nationally with her Dutch Shepherd, Maya and took 3rd place in Narcotics Detection at the Gold Coast K9 Working Dog Trials and 1st place, open division, at the Oxnard Police K9 Foundation Inaugural Trial, 2009.  Her Belgian Malinois, Seven, is a nationally certified explosives detection dog and took 1st place in the Explosives Building Search at the 2009 Ventura County Sheriff's K9 Trial.

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Amy holds a Bachelor of Science from NYU and is nationally certified through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT).  Additionally, she is a graduate of the Balu Academy for Dog Trainers and is a John Rogerson associate here in the U.S. 

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Her professional memberships and affiliations include the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), Southern California Dog Trainers’ Forum (SCDTF), Southern California Schutzhund Club, and International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators (IABTI).  Amy gives much volunteer time and expertise to the betterment of shelter dogs. Some of Amy’s other achievements have been the 2007 President's Volunteer Service Award, spcaLA's 2005 Outstanding H.E.A.L. (Helping Enhance Animals Lives) Volunteer and 2006 Volunteer of the Year.

 

Amy is owner of the Los Angeles based All Good Dogs, LLC.   www.allgooddogs.biz

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