Back to School!

After a brief maternity leave, our K9 Nosework instructor has resumed classes and we are back at it! (We really should have practiced more over our break… maybe she won’t notice?)

Dixie Rose’s class is called “Advanced Odor” and is taught by the famous Julie Gaunt!

Advanced Odor means Dixie Rose will locate 3 target odors

1. Birch (“Sweet Birch” aka Betula Lenta)
2. Anise (“Aniseed” aka Pimpinella Anisum variety – NOT Star Anise, Illicium Verum)
3. Clove (“Clove Bud” aka Eugenia Caryophylatta or Syzgium Aromaticum)

She will receive a treat when she finds each odor. We had the option of training her using her favorite toy in the world (a lacrosse ball) which would be HIGHLY motivating for her, however, she’s not well-behaved with her ball. <smile> If she enters a competition and we reward her with her ball, things might go downhill fast, so we use her less-than-favorite motivator: treats.

Here’s a little bit about our awesome instructor Julie Gaunt from her Nose Work bio.

Julie brings to K9 Nose Work instruction a lifetime of K9 education and training. Growing up in a home shared with many a working police K9, Julie quickly built an understanding of the working dog and their unique requirements. Julie prides herself on developing solid working relationships with her K9 partners through mutual understanding and respect.

At the age of 9 Julie won her first competition with her young German Shepherd Dog. That young dog continued a training career that included Schutzhund, a sport that encompasses obedience, tracking and protection elements. Throughout her life, she has worked with German Shepherds, Springer Spaniels, Labrador Retrievers, Belgian Malinois, a Pitbull and a few all American mixed breeds.

Currently, Julie is a professional detection dog handler and is a certified member of the International Association of Bomb Technicians & Investigators as well as the International Explosive Detection Dog Association. Julie works in the private sector in Southern California as a detection dog trainer/handler. Julie successfully completed schools in both Narcotics and Explosive Detection and attends the California Narcotic Canine Association conference annually. Her passion for dog training goes beyond detection, as a result of this Julie continues to attend many workshops and seminars on dog training and behavior. Julie brings her passion for dogs and for learning to her time instructing K9 Nose Work classes.

Julie has been a Certified Nose Work Instructor since 2008. She has worked with the NACSW judging, certifying and volunteering in many trials in California, Colorado, Massachusetts and Alaska. She has also worked with the founders teaching K9 Nose Work Workshops. Julie enjoys every aspect of being part of the K9 Nose Work and NASCW family and is proud to be part of this great canine activity and sport.

You can learn more about NoseWork Training and the sport of scent detection HERE.