Nosework Classes
Scent games are enriching for our dogs and satisfying for both ends of the leash. Learn to read your dog and be a supportive handler, and see just how amazing they are at scent detection!
Whether you are seeking a new game to play or are aspiring to compete, we can help your team on your nosework journey.
Meet your instructor
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After spending too much time arguing with a very sniffy dog about competing priorities and motivations, Taryn dove into nosework without realizing just how much scent sports would change everything for so many teams, not just her own. Scent sports are where it’s at! Our dogs love it, and we love it too.
Taryn enjoys training and trialing with her own dog in various scent sports organizations such as AKC and UKC (both odor and handler discrimination - our personal favorite!), NACSW, Fenzi TEAM, Cyber Scent Work, NASDA, and Barn Hunt and understands how to work with dogs of various breeds, sensitivities, and motivations.
We believe trials are a fun opportunity to test our training, and are happy to share the joy of nosework with all teams, whether you aspire to compete or are looking for something fun to do with your dog!
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Taryn Winegardner IAABC-ADT, CPDT-KA
Cyber Scent Work Evaluator- Games and Traditional
International Dog Parkour Association Certified Instructor and Evaluator
Cooperative Care Trainer Certificate - KD
AKC Evaluator - CGC, CGCA, CGCU, Tricks. AKC FIT Dog Level-3 Instructor. AKC Fetch Judge
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Cyber Scent Work Evaluator and Trial Host
Taryn is an evaluator with Cyber Scent Work to offer more sniffing opportunities in our area!
We love the flexibility and design of the program - there is something for everyone and it was created to help all teams grow and find joy in scent work!
We are able to offer both Games and Traditional Cyber Scent Work searches and evaluation in person, at classes, in private lessons, and by hosting local trials. Learn more at https://www.cyberscentwork.com/
What sets our classes apart?
While trial experience is helpful, we believe that alone is not enough to become an outstanding instructor and coach. Taryn is passionate about continuing to learn and grow as a handler and instructor. She is always bringing fresh ideas and knowledge from a variety of her own instructors to our classes, and greatly enjoys tailoring our nosework training to the individual dog in front of us. Many of our students who choose to compete have also reached the top levels of competition, and our students find joy in searching without having competition goals, too.
For us, it is all about helping each team find joy working together wherever you are on your journey, and whatever your goals may be.
Individual coaching for handlers and dogs
We have found many in person classes just repeat trial-like setups over and over without providing feedback for individual handlers and dogs. We firmly believe training is training (not testing!), and trialing is our chance to test that training, so our classes are designed to help both handlers and dogs grow in your individual skill sets, from solving scent puzzles and understanding how odor behaves, to optimizing arousal states and line handling, to understanding how to both support your dog and allow them to drive in our searches.
Reactive dogs welcome!
We understand the challenges of living and working with reactive dogs, and have found scent based activities to be a great outlet and form of therapy as we continue to work with our dogs to improve reactive behaviors.
We can accept teams who are actively working on reactive behaviors with your dogs (but not aggression). Schedule a discovery call with Taryn to discuss how we can accommodate you and your dog’s goals in nosework, whether that is in a group class or a private lesson setting.
Class Details
Classes are 6 weeks, with new sessions beginning approximately every other month. Classes are split by experience level (see level descriptions below)
Training aids are included for teams who have not yet acquired a nosework kit.
Classes will take place at Prairie Dog Kendall Yards
1128 W Summit Pkwy, Spokane, WA 99201 and nearby areas depending on weather.
Eligibility/prerequisites? Both experienced teams and beginners are welcome! We can often accommodate dogs with reactive behavior (but not aggression). You are welcome to schedule a Discovery Call to discuss this with us, so you can find out if this class would be suitable for your dog, and we can share additional resources with you.
Contact us at taryn@lovehopedogs.com with any questions.
Nosework Classes Offered
Level 1 Start Sniffing:
Introduction to Nosework
Let’s face it, dogs are going to sniff, so join us to channel that sniffing power into fun and enriching games! Nosework is enjoyable for both the human and dog members of the team. It can help build confidence and focus even in new and exciting environments. We use the imprinting method to introduce our dogs to nosework target odors right away, while building their desire to search!
No experience necessary.
Level 2 Super Odor Seekers:
Search Elements and Beyond
Now that you are both hooked, let’s turn your sniffy dog into a super snifferino, finding odor wherever we may hide it! We will introduce your dog to various search elements so that they understand anywhere you go a new fun search could happen, while also increasing the challenge as your dog is ready. We’ll also continue building your nosework handling skills and teamwork.
Open to Level 1 graduates and dogs who have already been introduced to odor.
Level 3 SniffStar Adventures:
Searches in the Real World
In this class we will get out and about searching with our dogs! You will continue to develop your nosework skills (both dog and handler!) as we take our searches to new environments and add fun games and challenges to our training. We will record many of the searches so you can watch the videos afterwards, continuing to learn how your amazing dog works their scent puzzles.
Open to Level 2 graduates and dogs who are on odor.
Upcoming Session Dates
Class session dates are planned around trialing with our own dogs, and squeezed into our busy teaching schedule. Rarely, classes may need to be rescheduled to a later date due to instructor illness.
We appreciate your understanding and sincerely hope you can join us!
Level 1 Start Sniffing: Introduction to Nosework
Level 1 Tuesdays 6:15-7:15pm
Late Winter 1/13/26-2/17/26
Early Spring 2/24/26-3/31/26
Spring 4/7/26-5/12/26
Summer 5/19/26-7/21/26 (no class 5/26, 6/16, 6/23, 6/30, we have trials/travel)
Late Summer and beyond TBD
Level 2: Super Odor Seekers: Search Elements and Beyond
Level 2 Tuesdays 7:30-8:30pm
Late Winter 1/13/26-2/17/26
Early Spring 2/24/26-3/31/26
Spring 4/7/26-5/12/26
Summer 5/19/26-7/21/26 (no class 5/26, 6/16, 6/23, 6/30, we have trials/travel)
Late Summer and beyond TBD
Level 3 SniffStar Adventures: Searches in the Real World
Level 3 Mondays 6:15-7:15pm
Late Winter 1/5/26-2/16/26
Early Spring 2/23/26-3/30/26
Spring 4/6/26-5/11/26
Summer 5/18/26-7/20/26 (no class 5/25, 6/15, 6/22, 6/29, we have trials/travel)
Late Summer and beyond TBD
Our students are amazing and our Level 3 class is completely full! Please contact us to be put on the waitlist.
Class sizes are limited
Registration is first come first served and class sizes are limited. Payment is required to register, and your spot in class is reserved when your registration is complete. You will receive an appointment confirmation email so you can easily add the classes to your calendar.
Register today.
Class size is limited so don’t delay!