What is nosework?
Nosework began as a way to bring the joy of searching with your dog from the professional realm to the average dog owner and hobby trainer. Taking the principles of professional detection training and applying it to a unique, benign scent (essential oils, varies by organization), the sport of canine nosework was born! Nosework is well known for being a great sport for EVERY dog- young or old, big or small, with any level of abilities, every dog can play this game and reap the benefits!
We use a variety of positive-reinforcement training methods to work with our learners. We focus on laying a solid foundation on which to grow. Whether just looking for a new way to enrich your dog’s life or interested in competitive nosework, we are here to ensure a fun and successful journey.
Kayla Dever KPA- CTP Tag Teach Level 1 Owner/Trainer at Every Dog Nosework
My name is Kayla Dever. In my “real job” I am a registered nurse caring for bone marrow transplant patients. Every Dog Nosework is my passion project, created as the result of a love affair with the sport of nosework. After seeing how it changed my own dogs’ lives, grew their confidence, gave them a purpose in their golden years and grew our bond by leaps and bounds, I wanted to bring the beauty of this sport to others.
I earned my Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP) certification in 2018, and have been training dogs including 12 service dog puppies since 2003. I have titled and shown dogs in nosework, flyball, dock diving, and agility. I am also a graduate of Susan Friedman’s Learning and Living with Animals for Professionals course and am TAGTeach Level 1 certified. I am passionate about positive reinforcement training and the science of learning and how we can apply these principals with ALL learners, animal and human!
I “found” nosework after having to retire my dog Brennan from the more physical sport of flyball. We played casually for a while, and then a series of life changes and circumstances leading up to and including the COVID-19 pandemic shifted my focus and purpose to this sport. Nosework saved me at a time I really needed it. It is a very powerful sport for EVERY dog, and it just might change the person’s life, too! I am honored to be able to bring this sport to more teams through Every Dog Nosework.
Samantha Winslow KPA-CTP, ANWI Trainer at Every Dog Nosework
My name is Samantha Winslow. I have loved animals my whole life, especially dogs and horses. The bond built through trust and communication is like no other. My passion is to share with people how to build their relationship with their dog, so that they can explore and enjoy the wonderful world of living a life with a dog!
My “real job” is in Medical Education, as a Simulationist supporting medical professionals learning skills needed for their profession and my “side gigs” are in family dog training and Nosework coaching. In both worlds, my goal is to support learning in a positive and safe environment. One of the most important things that I have learned through my BS in Animal Science, MS in Medical and Healthcare Simulation, Karen Pryor Academy Certification, and working through my certification to be an NACSW Certified Nosework Instructor, is just this, support the learner through a keen skill of observation and set up the environment to minimize undue stress, distraction, and miscommunication.
Over 20 years ago and even before K9Nosework was a sport, my Weimaraner, Baloo and I used to enjoy the activity of hide and seek and finding objects. I absolutely loved how he worked the air back and forth trying to find the object or me. I had no idea what I was doing, but what I did know was that he was good at it and we both loved this game. Fast forward to 2019, a friend introduced me to the sport and we began teaching it together at Fido in Ferndale. As I began my own Nosework journey, I began to realize that Nosework isn’t just for people with dogs bred for hunting or scent detection, it is for every one and every dog to enjoy together, whether for sport, enrichment, confidence building, or just something to bond over. I am grateful to be here to share this wonderful activity with each and every team.
Kayla’s Canine Partners
Brennan SMTx5,ELT CH (Labrador Retriever, DOB 6/30/11)
Brennan is my first nosework dog. After a successful flyball career came to an end at the age of 7, he mentally still wanted a job. Enter nosework. We found his true love! He has been the best dog to learn with and my rock solid partner. He is now competing at the Summit level. Brennan earned 5 Summit titles, all with overall placements including 2 high in trials/overall first places. He finished his NACSW Elite Champion in twelve elite trials, has taken multiple high in trials in NW3 and Elite, earned an overall pronounced in NW3 and Elite, earned his NW3-Elite in 4 trials with many placements and pronouncements, NACSW NW3, NW2, NW1 and ORT on his first attempt, UKC Elite Nosework Champion, CPE Scent Sport Extraordinaire, AKC Scent Work Master and NW-TEAM 3+ titles. When he isn’t doing nosework, he loves hiking and visiting local hospitals and schools as a certified therapy dog and “Fur Angel”. Now age 12 and a survivor of laryngeal tieback surgery for a diagnosis of GOLPP (geriatric onset laryngeal paralysis polyneuropathy), I am grateful for every time I get to step to the start line with this amazing dog. I owe him everything.
Flynn ELT CH (Shetland Sheepdog, DOB 7/15/09)
Flynn was rescued from Michigan Sheltie Rescue as a puppy. He was our anxious rescue border collie’s emotional support dog for most of his life until Riley passed. When COVID struck, we needed something to do- I got my new dog Davey on odor and decided Flynn may as well play along. He just loved it. It was so good to see his older mind and confidence grow brighter with each day. I never intended to compete with him, he was 11-years-old and just our family dog. But he just kept raising the bar. At 11, he earned his first title in his life. He recently finished his NACSW ELT CH at the age of 14.5 years with an overall 2nd place, UKC Superior Nosework, CPE Scent Sport Level 3 and NW-TEAM 3+ titles. He is a true testament to the “every dog” name- even an old, rescued, subdued little dog can do this and THRIVE!
Davey ELT3(Labrador Retriever, 12/12/18)
Born and raised as a guide dog in training, Davey’s exceptional health, temperament, brains (and looks, obviously) set him apart from the rest and earned him a gig as a breeding stock dog to create future generations of working Leader Dogs for the Blind. He has sired over 100 future guide dogs for the blind. His desire to work never left him, and nosework has given him a purpose. He is competing at the elite level in NACSW, UKC Elite Nosework, CPE Scent Sport Level 3 and NW-TEAM 3+ titles. When he isn’t doing nosework he enjoys dock diving, playing and visiting local hospitals and schools as a certified therapy dog and “Fur Angel”.