Nosework

In the sport, one dog and one handler form a team where the dog must find a hidden target odor, often ignoring distractions such as food or toys, and alert the handler once the target odor is found.

Unlike working with professional detection dogs, all odors used in sport nosework are legal to carry and own.

Common odors include (but are not limited to): Anise, Birch, Clove, Myrrh, Pine, Thyme, Vetiver oil, and Wintergreen.

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.

Containers may be arranged in a pattern or randomly on the floor, or they may be placed up on chairs in a higher level.

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.

[7] One pilot study has been done to see if human perceptions of canines change after a nosework class.

[8] 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.