- Judith Guthrie's Nose Dogs Newsletter
- Posts
- Judith Guthrie's Nose Dogs Newsletter
Judith Guthrie's Nose Dogs Newsletter
Volume 4 - October 2025
Judith Guthrie
October 08, 2025
Hello again, and welcome to this month’s newsletter! It’s been a full few weeks. I got to work with some great teams in Utah, Texas, Washington, Arizona, South Dakota, and Montana. One of the highlights came from our Sioux Falls weekend. Mark Owens, who worked his Belgian Malinois Annie, told me it was an “exceptional experience.” He loved the welcoming atmosphere and said the feedback helped him connect more deeply with his dog. |  |
Hearing reflections like that reminds me why I love what I do, traveling and connecting with teams all over the country.
Looking ahead, I’ve got more trips planned, and if you’ve ever thought about bringing me in for in-person training, whether that’s one-on-one coaching, a small group, or a weekend seminar, now’s a great time to reach out. Chances are, I may be passing through your area, and I’d love to work with you and your dogs.
Searching with Purpose: Part 3 — The Decision Tree
Judith is showing you the way to searching with purpose
I’m excited to conclude my three-part series on “Searching with Purpose.”
I already covered how to Start with a Plan and use The Checklist. Now it’s time for the final piece, The Decision Tree.
In competition, split-second decisions can make or break a search. A decision tree alleviates some of the pressure in those moments by providing simple, preplanned actions for common situations.
It helps you stay composed, support your dog, and stick to your plan, so you can search better and have more fun.
A Special Weekend for Detection Dog Training
This November, I’ll be hosting the AKC Patriotic Puppy Program at my Nose Dog Detection Services facility on the historic Wendover Airfield.
With the growing need for high-quality detection dogs, this program plays a vital role in supporting breeders, trainers, and handlers as they raise dogs for demanding real-world work.
For me, it’s an opportunity to share my skills and knowledge that helps strengthen the future of detection teams.
This seminar is for detection dog teams. Interested teams can register for a spot or contact me with questions. Anyone is welcome to watch, just reach out.
Why Buried Can Be a Tricky Element
Buried is one of the most underestimated elements in scent work. At the Basset Hound Club of California trial, I observed how the odor picture can shift in ways that aren’t immediately apparent from a handler’s perspective. This debrief breaks down those details and offers a clearer look at what’s really going on in buried searches.
Next month, I’ll delve into how sand and water affect the odor picture your dog perceives and how you can turn a buried search into your favorite search (well, maybe not favorite, but so you don’t dread it).
Judges View Virtual Event
As a judge, I see a lot of teams compete.
That gives me the chance to notice what works well, what doesn’t, and even to take those lessons back into our own training and competition. On November 7, I’ll join Anita Ambani, Bill Gaskins, Michelle Munson, Caroline Oldham, and Aleks Woodroffe for the Judge’s View Virtual Event, a three-hour live discussion about the patterns we see.
While you’re there, take a look at my library of over 50 webinars. I’m confident you’ll find a few that can support you and your dog’s training.
Upcoming Seminars and Training Opportunities
Look at all the good stuff you learn with me!
I’ve got a busy travel schedule ahead, and I’d love to connect with you along the way!
Some of these dates are organized seminars you can join, while others are open for private lessons, small groups, or full workshops.
I also travel regularly from Nevada to the East Coast, so if you’re interested in bringing me out, let’s see if we can make something happen.
Phoenix, Arizona – October 21–23
Contact me to set up a one-on-one lesson or gather a small group for training.
Ramona, California – October 24–25
Two-day workshop with Linda Buchanan and K9s Love to Search. ➡️ Workshop information and registration to secure your spot.
Southern & Central Nevada – October 26–28
Available for one-on-one and small-group sessions across southern and central Nevada.
Wendover, Nevada – November 1–2
I’m excited to be hosting the AKC Patriotic Puppy Seminar at the Nose Dogs Training Building. Contact me with any questions. ➡️ Sign up for your spot now!
San Diego, California – November 7
The Southwestern Rottweiler Club of San Diego is hosting me for two half-day sessions.
San Diego, California – November 10
Available for one-on-one or small-group training.
Southern Nevada – November 11–14
Opportunities for private lessons and small-group sessions in the Las Vegas area.
AZ, NM & TX (I-10 Corridor ) – November 18–20
Traveling along I-10 from Las Vegas to El Paso. I’ll be available for groups or privates in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas along the way.
Tucson & Phoenix, Arizona – November 21–23
Group and private training opportunities in Tucson and Phoenix.
📩 To talk about any of these opportunities or hosting a seminar, reach out to me at [email protected].
Upcoming Judging Assignments
I’ll be judging at these upcoming trials, and I’d love to see you there:
Southwestern Rottweiler Club of San Diego - Nov 8-9, Jamul, CA
Australian Shepherd Club of Arizona - Nov 15-16, Phoenix, AZ
Sonoran Desert Scent Work Club Jan 10-11, Tucson, 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.
Happy Hunting
That’s a wrap for this edition 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 month, I’ll talk about buried hides and how sand and water impact the odor picture so you can better understand what you’re dog is experiencing.
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:
And if you know someone who might enjoy these stories and tips, please share this newsletter with them.
—Judith