Scent is definitely the most amazing sense dogs have, something we'll probably never grasp completely. All dogs love using their nose, therefore, nosework is an excellent way to both stimulate bored dogs and/or knock out hyperactive and stressed ones, keeping (or helping restore) physical and mental health. Moreover, a dog who uses his nose and brain will be much more likely to calm down and be satisfied!
If you're looking to share activities with your dog, nosework is undoubtedly a fun, simple way of providing a challenge and improving relationships, with the minimum of equipment!

I am pleased to announce that one of the best nosework trainers, the Norwegian Anne Lill Kvam, will be my guest the coming November, with the first three days session of her scent discrimination and tracking course.
During the years, she specialized in the olfactory sense of dogs and, with her deep understanding of how dogs learn and using kind, fun and efficient methods, she's been training search and rescue dogs for years.
Lately, she brought her attention on scent discrimination, training dogs to detect the presence of potentially dangerous substances in buildings (such as mould, termites) or in food (gluten an peanut oil: substances people can be deadly allergic to).
I personally believe the most astonishing fact, though, is that she has spent more than 2 years of her life in Angola, training dogs and handlers to detect land mines.

Starting November 5-7, 2004, the First Italian Nosework course held by Anne Lill Kvam will take place in northern Italy, Aprica (Sondrio).
The course is divided into two session: the first one will be held in Nov. 5-7 2004, while the second one will be in April 1-3, 2005.
During her 6 days course, she will cover the following aspects of nosework

• scent discrimination
• marking behaviour
• tracking (single and multiple tracks)
• back-tracking
• retrieving lost items
• systematic search (great for those training for competitions)... including a variety of fun nosework activities for all abilities!

Limited places are available for handlers.
Please make sure your dog can handle training together with other dogs.
Please note your dog will be expected to remain in the car when not trained. Hurry up!!

The seminar will take place in Aprica -Sondrio- (northern Italy, Valtellina) c/o Hotel Urri, Corso Roma 80, ph. **39-0342/747110.
Please visit www.apricaonline.com.
How to reach the seminar hotel: www.viamichelin.com

Fees: the first 3 days seminar 265€.
Boarding not included.
Should you be interested?
Please send a confirmation fax at the number ++39 02 2871517, with your name and surname, address, ph. number, name breed age and sex of the dog (in case you come with one) including the receipt of the bank money transfer made at Banca Regionale Europea, Agenzia Milano 8, Via Padova 175, Milano -Italy- ABI 6906; CAB 01608; CIN code: D; c/c 5610 in the name of Nicoletta Gatti.
Description of payment: nosework training course.
You can also send an e-mail to info@dogmetamorphosis.com.