Oh Behave
Nose Work Events & Seminars
Marin Humane’s Behavior and Training Department is proud to offer diverse nose work special events. Practice, learn, and compete with us!
Sniff ‘n’ Gos
These training events approximate a trial environment, covering interior, container, exterior, and vehicle searches. We offer NW1, NW2, and NW3 levels.
Join our waitlist(s) to be notified of new Sniff ‘n’ Go dates.
Next Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
Level NW3 Links to Register: 5:30 pm 7:00 pm
A variety of searches – 5 total — will be offered (Interior, Container, Exterior and possibly Vehicle) and will approximate a trial environment but may not meet all competition requirements. Runs may be done blind or with known hide locations, handler’s choice. Participants will be assigned a specific arrival time. More information including run-order and check-in time will be emailed at least 2 days prior to the event. You will run all of your searches back-to-back and then depart the facility. Instructors/Volunteers will be available to act as a judge, but no scoring or prizes will be offered. Participants may request as much or as little help as needed; this is a training opportunity, not a trial! Searches may be split between 2 judges and run concurrently. For more information, please email Kathleen at kcall@marinhumane.org.
Seminars
Save the dates!
Jan. 11 & 12, 2027: Nose Work Workshop with Natalie & Michael McManus
April 10 & 11, 2027: Nose Work Worshop with Barbara Schwerdt
Please check back for details and registration.
Nose Work with Lauralea Oliver at FDSA Ranch in Petaluma!
Friday, November 13, 2026: Coaching Sessions
Saturday, November 14, 2026: Full Day Workshop
“Making the Most of the Search”
In nose work, not every area of a search environment deserves the same amount of time and energy. This workshop focuses on recognizing productive versus non-productive areas and making effective decisions especially in large search areas. Long trial days, and complex odor puzzles require strategy. We’ll explore how to clear space efficiently, recognize when an odor picture deserves additional time and investigation, and manage your dog’s energy so they have the reserves to perform through a full day, or two days, of high-level competition.
Through practical exercises and coached searches, teams will work on reading their dog, and knowing when to dig deeper or conserve energy for what’s still ahead. You’ll learn how to balance thoroughness with efficiency while avoiding the trap of spending too much time in blank or low-odor areas.
BEFORE REGISTERING, PLEASE READ ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY
Working Spot Registration Link
Schedule:
Friday: 90-minute sessions 9:00-10:30, 11:00-12:30, 1:00-2:30, 3:00-4:30 (max 8 teams, 2 per session) – session time will be assigned
Saturday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Lunch break on your own, please plan to bring a lunch, local eateries are ~15 minutes away.
Fees:
Friday Coaching Sessions with Lauralea
- $140.00 per dog, limited to 2 handler/dog teams per session
Saturday Workshop
- $195.00 – Working Spot (max 10 teams)
- $60 – Audit Spot
To allow more teams the opportunity to work, please only register for one working spot/coaching spot. If there are still working spots/coaching spots available after October 20th you may sign up to work both days.
Working Spot Requirements:
Please read carefully to ensure that you and your dog will enjoy this experience.
- Dogs should be resilient to challenging environments, have strong odor obedience, and be comfortable being watched by a large group of people.
- A higher-level title is not required, but teams should be comfortable working complex odor pictures.
- 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 event.
- Dogs MUST be able to stay quietly in their vehicles out of sight from their handlers. Please bring whatever your dog needs to be made comfortable and cool/warm enough in between working exercises.
- Dogs must be healthy on event day and should be current on all vaccinations required by law.
Cancellation Policy:
All cancellations for this event must be emailed to calongi@marinhumane.org. Cancellations received before 9am pacific Oct 28 will receive a refund minus a 10% processing fee. Cancellations between Oct 28 and Nov 8: if we are able to fill your spot, you will receive a 50% refund. If your spot is not filled, no refund will be issued. No refunds will be issued for cancellations after 9am on November 8 or for no-shows. This cancellation and refund policy applies to participants that must withdraw for any reason including but not limited to injury, illness, emergency, and personal or work-related reasons.
NACSW CEUs: 5 CEUs
Video/Audio Policy: No video or audio taping of Instructor or other teams, please. Working spot teams may video themselves for personal use only.
Location: FDSA Ranch in Petaluma, CA. The specific location address will be emailed to participants before the event. Note: the property is spread out and hilly, so you may be required to walk long distances and/or up and down hills. The property contains a variety of farm buildings, livestock, and related distractions. Expect to navigate uneven terrain, dirt, mud, brick, gravel, as well as uneven surfaces, stairs, etc. Please consider whether this is feasible if you have mobility challenges.
About: Lauralea Oliver has over twenty-five years of experience as a professional dog trainer and wildlife scent detection dog trainer and handler. She is a Certified Nose Work Instructor and Trial Judge for the National Association of Canine Scent Work. Her experience working with dogs includes shelters, working dogs, pet dogs and sporting dogs. Read more about Lauralea at K9InSCENTive’s website: http://www.k9inscentive.com
If you have any questions about this event or would like to be put on the waitlist, please contact calongi@marinhumane.org. More information will be emailed to registered participants a few days prior to the event.
NACSW Trials & Odor Recognition Tests (ORT)
All handlers must be current members of NACSW™ and all dogs participating in trials must be registered with NACSW™. Exhibitors should obtain and review a copy of the rulebook, available at NACSW.net. Trial questions can be directed to calongi@marinhumane.org.
ORT
October 10, 2026 in Novato, CA
Entry opens Sept 10th: Entry Link
Link to: ORT Premium
Link to: ORT Volunteer Form
ELT-P & ELT Trials
November 11 & 12, 2026 in Petaluma, CA
Entries open Sept 28th. Link to: Premium
Link to: Volunteer Form
Link to ELT-P entry
Link to ELT entry
NW3 & SMT Trials
January 1 – 3, 2027 in Santa Rosa, CA
Entries open Nov 18th. Link to: Premium
Link to: Volunteer Form
Link to: NW3 entry
Link to: SMT entry
NW3 & NW2 Trials
January 9 & 10, 2027 in Novato, CA
Entries open Nov 23rd. Link to: Premium
Link to: Volunteer Form
Link to: NW3 entry
Link to: NW2 entry
