NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CANINE SCENT WORK ®
What is K9 Nose Work®?
The sport of K9 Nose Work®, created by the founders of NACSW™, was inspired by detection style training for working K9s and has elements that are founded in that type of training and work. K9 Nose Work® is the term that specifically defines this detection-inspired sport that is governed and sanctioned by the National Association of Canine Scent Work, LLC®.
One of the many challenges faced by working K9s and their handlers is encountering new environments and scenarios daily. This challenge will be reflected in the sport through differing search environments and requirements of each location. Additionally, the environment may change throughout the day due to uncontrollable factors such as weather. Therefore, the general rules and guidelines will apply, but handlers and dogs may encounter variations
at each trial.
Titles
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The Odor Recognition Test (ORT) is a test that verifies a dog's ability to recognize the three target odors used in NACSW trials (birch, anise, and clove).
No, there is no requirement to pass all three odors at the same event, but the ORT title will not be earned until all three odor tests have been passed.
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The dog will seek out the exact source of the odor.
The handler can identify the dog’s communication of the exact source.
The dog can maintain the energy, stamina and mental focus to do all four elements in one day.
The dog wants to find odor regardless of the environment around him.
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The dog can find multiple hides in one environment.
The dog and handler team can work through more challenging, less accessible hides.
The dog can overcome food and toy distractions and alert only to odor.
The dog can manage a longer, larger search.
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The dog can find an unknown number of hides in a search environment.
The handler will recognize the search behavior in a dog when no odor is present (if there is a blank area).
The dog and handler team can work through even more challenging, less accessible hides with varying heights and containment.
The dog can overcome food and toy distractions in any environment and alert only to odor.
The dog can manage much longer, larger searches.
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The NW3-ELITE title is earned by getting 3 NW3 titles, plus demonstrating proficiency in all 4 elements.
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Can be entered after achieving a NW3-Elite title.
Earn ELT1 title after accumulating 150 points.
Earn ELT2 title after accumulating 400 points.
Earn ELT3 title after accumulating 650 points.
Earn ELT-CH title after accumulating 1000 points!