Judith Guthrie's Nose Dogs Newsletter

What I love most is seeing handlers grow more confident with each run and watching dogs light up when they hit their stride. Every trial reminds me that this sport is about so much more than titles; it’s about the bond between dog and handler and the community we build together. I’m grateful to be part of it.

All of that makes me excited to share a few highlights, stories, and opportunities with you in this month’s newsletter.

In This Issue:
🔍📋 Searching with Purpose: Part 2 — The Checklist
🕵️‍♂️🐾 Detective Debrief with Two Dogs
🎥🏆Watch Porter’s Title-Winning Detective Run
📅🐕 Upcoming Seminars

Searching with Purpose: Part 2 — The Checklist

I’m excited to continue our three-part series on “Searching with Purpose.” Last month, in Part 1: Start with a Plan, we looked at how to work a search with intention. This month, we turn to one of the toughest calls handlers make: knowing when the search is truly complete.

Calling finish too soon can leave a hide behind. Searching too long can push your dog into a false alert. A checklist gives you a way to confirm the work is done so you can make the call with confidence on trial day.

▶️ Read: Searching with Purpose Part 2: The Checklist

Detective Debrief with Two Dogs

This was not only a fun search to watch dogs work, but you also get the opportunity to watch two dogs show how they worked it, the similarities, and differences.

Click to watch the debrief on the AKC Detective Debrief Facebook page.

Watch Porter’s Title-Winning Detective Run

One of the things I appreciate most about this sport is getting to witness moments that mean so much to the teams.

Remember Porter from the debrief above? That search wasn’t just another Q — it was his 10th Detective Q, the one that sealed the deal for his Detective title.

Even more special, Whitney and Porter earned it at their home club, the Puget Sound Vizsla Club’s September trial in Nine Mile Falls, Washington. And Porter’s breeder, Carla Slabaugh, was there to watch Whitney’s very first sport dog achieve this level. It was an emotional moment for all of us.

You can watch Porter’s title-earning run. So cool of Whitney to share this moment.

Congratulations to Whitney Wilson and Porter on an incredible accomplishment!

Upcoming Seminars

I’ve got a couple of really fun training trips coming up, and I’d love to see some familiar faces (or meet new ones!).

🐾 Sioux Falls, SD — September 27 & 28. I’ll be there for two full days of scent work challenges, learning together, and just plain having fun. If you’re in Minneapolis, Omaha, or anywhere close enough for a day trip, come join us!

👉 For details or to sign up, reach out to Rhonda Lockwood at 605-366-9852.

🐾 Bozeman, MT — October 4 & 5 at Trails and Tails Dog School. Two days of training, and honestly, if you’re within a few hours’ drive, it’s a perfect excuse for a road trip, some scent work, and lunch with friends.

👉 For details or to sign up, email [email protected].

📩 And if you ever want to connect with me about private sessions or maybe hosting a seminar, just drop me a note at [email protected].

Upcoming Judging Assignments

I’ll be judging at these upcoming trials, and I’d love to see you there:

• Bristle Nose Scent Work Club – Sept 19–21, Salt Lake City, UT

• Southwestern Rottweiler Club of San Diego - Nov 8-9, Jamul, CA

• Australian Shepherd Club of Arizona - Nov 15-16, Phoenix, AZ

If you’re competing, please come say hi! Even better, I often come a day early or stay after so I can offer private sessions or small group training.

I also travel the US a lot and if you are interested, let me know and we’ll see if we can get something going!

📩 To talk about one-on-one coaching, group lessons, or hosting a seminar, reach out to me at [email protected].

Happy Hunting

That’s a wrap for volume two of the Nose Dogs Newsletter.

My hope is that these ideas give you something concrete to bring into your next search and maybe even shift how you think about approaching the sport.

Next time, we’ll continue the Searching with Purpose series with Part 3: Creating Your Decision Tree, and I can’t wait to dive into how a simple framework can help keep you clear-headed in the search area.

I’d love to hear from you, whether it’s about training, judging, questions, ideas, or just to say hi. You can email me or connect on social media:

• Judith Guthrie Facebook

• Nose Dog Detection Services Facebook

And if you know someone who might enjoy these stories and tips, please share this newsletter with them.

—Judith