Join

You may be surprised to learn that when your dog goes into deep sniffing, that this is not just a mental activity for your dog, but also a strenuous physical activity. So not only is this fun work for your dog, but this activity gives your dog the calming, focused workout that your dog so badly needs. Current published research shows that the activity of canine sport detection results in better overall canine behavior.  Dogs become calmer, more focused and better socialized simply through structured detection work. Perhaps this is why the detection sport of K9 Nose Work has grown to more than 6000 Teams throughout the United States and Canada.

Why join the Club?

Your dog likes to work and there is no better work for a dog than working the nose. And since nose work is something that your dog is likely already doing and enjoying, why not harness this energy and channel it into something you and your dog can engage in together as a team. 

The SJI K9 Detection Club is a member-supported nonprofit organization that provides you and your canine team partner with weekly sniffing activities. These activities are held at various locations on San Juan Island and are designed to give your dog the fun detection work your dog desires and needs. At the same time, you will meet like-minded teams who offer supportive camaraderie and enjoy working with their dogs. All for a one-time join fee of $150 and a low monthly membership fee of just $25 a month. 

Step 1 to membership. Your dog is trained to find one of three target odors.

This sniffing work of sport detection closely mimics that of a professional working dog. And just like a professional working dog, your dog must be trained to detect a target odor. The target odors used by the Club are the essential oils of birch, anise and clove, and the odors are prepared and provided through select channels of the National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW). To join the Club as a Full Member Team, your dog must show that he or she can find one of the three odors among a series of containers, and communicate the find to you, as the handler team partner.

If your dog is not currently trained to find one of the three target odors, no worries. Training for target odor recognition is generally available through a series of classes taught by a Certified Nose Work Instructor (CNWI) and CNWI canine coaches and trainers teach K9 Nose Work classes on San Juan Island. Please contact info@sjik9.org so we can help you locate an instructor and enroll your dog in K9 Nose Work training.

Step 2 to membership. You agree to abide by SJI K9 Detection Club Policies. These common sense and practical policies include keeping your dog on a leash, unless in an off-leash search environment; containing your dog in a vehicle or crate when not searching (dogs work one at a time in search environments); using only sanctioned equipment on  your dog; ensuring necessary vaccinations are up to date for your dog as recommended by your vet, including a Bordetella Vaccine; ensuring that your dog does not present with a bite risk for humans or dogs; paying monthly membership dues and supplying volunteer hours (usually 24) to the Club.

Step 3 to membership. You truly want to have fun working with your dog.

Happy Sniffing.