Judith Guthrie's Nose Dogs Newsletter

Volume 9 - April 2026

Author

Judith Guthrie
April 20, 2026

Hey everyone,

Before I get to the good stuff, check this out!

Free Scent Work Q & A

I’m hosting ANOTHER free scent work Q&A on Zoom on THIS Wednesday, April 22, 2026, from 6–7 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time (MDT). It’s open to anyone involved in scent work.

Can’t wait to see you all there.

In this issue:

  • Using presentations without losing the hunt.

  • Slowing down the search crack hide.

  • K9 Falco update.

  • My appearance on the Alert! Scent Work podcast.

  • Training opportunities coming up to level up!

Using Presentations Without Losing the Hunt — Part 2

Presentations are one of the more controversial tools in sport scent work. Used intentionally, they're a powerful. Used incorrectly, they create confusion and dependence. Part 1 made the case that presentations are communication, not control.

Part 2 goes inside the search itself. I walk through the loop the dog is actually running and show the moment the dog stops reading odor and starts reading your hand.

Odor outranks you. Part 2 is about keeping it that way.

Check Out My Alert! Scent Work Podcast Conversation

Had a fun time talking with Scot on the Alert! Scent Work Podcast. If you listened, you should check it out.

We got into the winding path that brought me here: SAR dogs in childhood, a detour through horses and protection sports, and the reactive dogs that wandered me back to nose work.

We also talked about the 100 rule, when I'm setting hides at a trial, and how it can be applied to training too.

We also touched on why independence comes first, which you may recognize from this month's article.

K9 Falco Gets His Protective Vest!

A quick follow-up from last month: the raffle for Falco’s ballistic vest conducted by the Sonoran Desert Scent Work Club brought in a little over $1,000. When he reports for duty, he’ll be properly outfitted.

The raffle winners of the training opportunities were Patti Schultze, Janelle White, Melissa Migno, and Beth Cleveland.

These packages included:

  • A One-Month Tier 1 Remote Mentorship — structured video review, consultation, and messaging support (typical value $300+)

  • A Search Analysis Video Review Package — six video review credits for detailed search breakdowns (typical value $150)

  • A Training Diagnostic Session — video review plus a 30-minute consultation (typical value $135)

Thank you to everyone who bought tickets, donated prizes, or came out for the March trial. The scent work community showed up for this one. You guys are the best.

Slowing Down the Search - Crack Hide

This case study goes through a crack hide with two entries.

Pay attention to how he gets stuck in the odor, has to come back out, refind and confirm that first edge, then work around and find a second entry to actually get to source.

I’ve edited it so you can watch Archer the Papillon work it in real time, slow motion, still snapshots, and real time again.

By the way — if you like these, check out the full playlist on YouTube. If you're finding them useful, let me know. They take a fair bit of time to put together, but I think they make a difference.

Thank you to Jennifer Hamilton, Archer's partner, AKC judge, and trial guru, for letting me use this search.

Two Upcoming Scent Work University Events

I'll be on A couple of Coach's View virtual roundtables this spring. Both feature several panelists, so you get multiple perspectives in one sitting rather than just mine.

May 15 — How teams unravel at trial, and how coaches help

The pressing issues teams actually experience at trial — and what coaches do in the moment to get them through it.

Panelists: Anita Ambani, Michael McManus, Tony Gravley, and me

June 12 — Coaching at trial is a different job than teaching a class

Teaching group classes and running private consults is one thing. Coaching a client who's competing at trial is something else entirely. This panel is about getting better at that specific job.

Panelists: Anita Ambani, Holly Bushard, Michael McManus, Khara Schuetzner, and me.

Both are available as replays if you can't make the live dates.

Where I’ll Be. Let’s Connect!

Here’s where I’ll be the rest of April into early June. If I’m near you and you want to train, let me know! I can often schedule around my judging if I’m in your area.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - April 27
Closed group training

Cashmere, Washington - May 15-17
Wenatchee Kennel Club AKC Scent Work Trial

Ventura, California - May 30-31
Centura County Dog Fanciers Association AKC Scent Work Trial

Spokane, Washington - June 6-7
Puget Sound Vizla Club AKC Scent Work Trial

Richland, Washington - June 12-14
I’ll be at 4 Paws Dog Works for Sniffy Sessions. Contact Tracy Hill for more information. [email protected]  509-946-7297 

📩 To talk about any of these opportunities or hosting a seminar, reach out to me at [email protected].

Upcoming Hosting Opportunities

Interested in hosting? I travel from coast to coast and from border to border multiple times a year. Want to get on the travel schedule? Reach out!

If you can organize a working group in your area, reach out. Formats can include focused working seminars, advanced workshops, or scenario-based training

Happy Hunting

That’s a wrap for this edition of the Nose Dogs Newsletter.

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