AKc Scent work Judge, AKC CONTRACTOR, and FDSA Instructor

Stacy Barnett

Stacy Barnett, founder of Scentsabilities Nosework, is an avid and successful competitor as well as a talented instructor. Stacy is available both online and in person. Online classes are available through Fenzi Dog Sports Academy. Stacy also holds weekly webinars and is available in person for seminars worldwide.

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Nosework

Learn with Stacy

Online Classes through Fenzi Dog Sports Academy

Classes are geared towards all levels of competitors, regardless of your venue of choice! Come see why Stacy’s FDSA classes receive consistent accolades.

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Webinars for hobbyists and competitors

Tuesday is webinar day! Topics run the gamut and are a popular augment to every Nosework handler’s education. See also for special events!

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International Seminars and Special Events

Stacy is a popular clinician and travels across the US and abroad teaching Nosework! Currently booking 2019 engagements.

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Learn about Nosework on the blog and podcast

Want access to free educational resources? Read Stacy’s blog and listen to her podcast.

Read the Blog OR Listen to the Podcast

What is Nosework?

Nosework is one of the fastest growing dog sports in the world. It’s modeled after real world detection.

In Nosework, your dog searches for essential oils, usually on cotton swab. You may search inside buildings, out in the open, boxes and luggage, on vehicles and even buried in the ground! Every search is different and exciting. This is a timed sport where the dog’s skill and handling come together.

Nosework is a sport that every dog and handler can do. It’s a great way to focus hyper dogs and calm nervous dogs. You will be surprised how Nosework can build confidence. Plus it’s FUN!

What can it do for your dog?

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Engage his brain

Did you know that 1/8th of your dog’s brain is dedicated to olfaction? Nosework engages the whole canine brain in ways that your dog loves.

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Build Confidence

Doing Nosework the right way builds confidence biologically and soothes the canine brain. It can build confidence and reduce fear-based reactivity.

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Build Your Bond

There is nothing so beautiful as a handler working lockstep with a scenting dog. Your dog will love spending time with you doing Nosework!

Upcoming Webinars

Focus on Nosework with Deborah Jones, PhD

Nov 27th, 2018 @ 9:30pm ET

Do you wish your dog was as confident and comfortable in trials as he is in training? Do you feel like something is missing from your performance preparation but you’re not quite sure what? We want our performance dogs to be confident, comfortable, and enthusiastic at trials. Join us for this webinar on the three different types of focus and how they influence your dog’s nosework performance at trials. In addition to highlighting the importance of being in the proper focus mode, we will also consider issues of motivation, task confidence, cognitive effort, and environmental confidence. Understanding how all of these underlying invisible factors interact can be a huge benefit in helping your dog move into the best performance state possible. We will discuss pre-run and start line routines, and consider how all these factors come together in some real life case studies.

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Search Patterns: The What, The When and The How

Dec 4th, 2018 @ 9:30pm ET

In Competition Scent Detection, we often read comments from judges saying, “Search Pattern!” Do you know WHAT a Search Pattern REALLY is? Or WHEN or HOW to employ one? Did you know that STRATEGY plays a large part in how and when you might use one? This webinar explores all of these topics and more! Learn how to use your walkthrough strategically, and how to and and how much you should plan ahead.

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Latest Blog Posts

On FOCUS… he’s sniffing, why isn’t he searching?

Recently I published a quiz and one of the questions was, "What is the biggest contributor to dogs losing focus in a search?" I found through the answers that there is a misunderstanding of sniffing in general and what constitutes searching. You see... just because...

RESPECT in Nosework Training – Between the Methods

I am currently sitting in an airport, after Thanksgiving, waiting to fly home to a state that is in a cold snap. Leaving sunny Florida, albeit in a good mood! Why? Because I was just on Facebook on the FDSA Alumni Nosework page! A question was asked by one of our...

Sniffing and Nosework: The Activity for All Dogs

It’s often said that Nosework is an activity for ALL dogs. I’d like to explore that a little and share with you WHY that’s a true statement. Other sports seem to gravitate to certain dog types. Dogs who enjoy running, jumping and expressing themselves through...

“I will seek out Stacy again. I so enjoyed her teaching style and sharing her experiences really helps prepare you. I feel I have a good plan and much better understanding of what we need to succeed at the higher levels of NoseWork.”

“Stacy is so organized - works individually with each dog at the stage they are at -lots of positive feedback and helpful critiques. Love how she breaks complex ideas down into the parts and has us practice each of the parts before putting them together into the whole exercise.”

“Another phenomenal six weeks!!! Class after class Stacy brings out the best in everyone and provides detailed insight and feedback. She ensures success and encourages her students to challenge themselves while building confidence.”

Success

Training Philosophy

Stacy structures everything around her Pyramid: The Four Cornerstones of Trial Preparation. Confidence and Motivation are sacred. Emotions can be trained. Arousal is a habit. These are core concepts of what she teaches.

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