Nose Dogs Newsletter

That’s also what this newsletter is about: learning, connecting, and celebrating scent work together. I’m so glad you’re here and part of this growing community, and I can’t wait to see where the journey takes us next.

In This Issue

🐾 Are You Going Deep?
📝 Searching with Purpose Part 1: Start with a Plan
💨 Seeing the Unseen: How Visualizing Odor Improves Handling
📅 Upcoming Events & Trials

Are You Going Deep?

Every search space has a story. You see it in the airflow as it drifts and pools, in the dogs as they chase or hesitate, and in the handlers as they guide, rush, or overlook. As a judge, my job is to shape that story into challenges that test teams.

At the Collie Club of Washington trial in Monroe, the story was clear: going deep. That meant testing corners, under objects, and tucked-away spots that teams often miss.

Here’s my debrief video on how I planned that search and how the dogs worked it.

Going deep is just one part of a search plan. When you look at a space, you should also see possible stories and build your plan around them. Don’t have a plan yet? Read on: Searching with Purpose: Part 1 — Start with a Plan.

Searching with Purpose: Part 1 — Start with a Plan

 I’m excited to kick off this new three-part series on Searching with Purpose. Over the next few editions, we’ll explore what it means to work a search with intention.

Why does this matter? Because without a plan, it’s easy to miss productive areas, over-handle your dog, or leave a search second-guessing yourself. Searching with purpose helps you stay focused, support your dog more effectively, and walk away with confidence.

In Part 1, we’ll look at what a search plan is (and what it’s not), and how you can start applying this thinking right away.

▶️ Read: Searching with Purpose Part 1: Start with a Plan

Seeing the Unseen: How Visualizing Odor Improves Handling

One of the hardest skills for handlers to develop is picturing what odor looks like and how it moves.

That’s why visuals like incense smoke can be so powerful—they make the unseen easier to imagine.

In the full article, we break down what those shifting lines, pools, and clouds mean for your dog, and how that awareness can make you a stronger teammate.

▶️ Read: Seeing the Unseen: How Visualizing Odor Improves Handling

Upcoming Events

I can’t wait to head up to Sioux Falls, SD, and meet the scent work teams in that part of the country. We’ll spend two full days working scent work challenges, learning together, and having fun along the way.

👉 To sign up or get more info, contact Rhonda Lockwood at 605-366-9852.

🚙 I may be driving out for this event, which means if you’re in Wyoming, Nebraska, or other parts of South Dakota, there’s a good chance we can set something up along the way.

📩 If you’d like to connect with me directly about private sessions or hosting a seminar, email me at [email protected].

Upcoming Judging Assignments

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

• Puget Sound Vizsla Club – Aug 22–24, Nine Mile Falls, WA

• Greater San Diego Basset Hound Club – Aug 30–31, Jamul, CA

• Houston Area K9 Scent Work Club – Sept 6–7, Katy, TX

• Spokane Dog Training Club – Sept 12–14, Davenport, WA

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

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

🚙 I’ll be driving up to Spokane (Sept 12–14), so if you’re in the Northwest or somewhere along the route, let’s see if we can set something up.

📩 To talk about privates, small groups, or hosting a seminar, reach out to me at [email protected].

Happy Hunting

That’s a wrap for Volume Two

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 2: Building a Checklist, 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 with them.

—Judith