ORT? Check!

My sweetest of sweets, Tango, passed the Odor Recognition Test (ORT) for K9 Nose Work a couple of weeks ago!

This was a hard-earned acheivement for my boy. We tried at about this time last year, but I screwed us up and we didn't get it. 

Thankfully, this year, I was up to speed, and was able to call "Alert" when Tango found the box with the birch odor in it. 

What the heck is an ORT? It's the first step in getting ready for competition in the sport known as K9 Nose Work. 

What's K9 Nose Work all about? Read the article on K9 Nose Work I wrote for clickertraining.com. K9 NW is a cool new sport that's good for almost any dog. No matter the age, temperament, or physical ability — almost every dog can have fun with K9 Nose Work. 

Another of my dogs is also into K9 Nose Work — Nemo. Part hound, Nemo excels in the sport. He lives for K9 NW. Nemo will be my competition dog, but it was fun for Tango and I to achieve the ORT. 

If you think your dog needs an outlet for exercise and mental stimulation this winter season, check out a K9 Nose Work class near you! Smart Dog U has a class starting in February, but it's almost full already. If you're interested in trying K9NW with your dog, sign up, we'd love to spread the nose work fever!