Northwest Noseworks

Northwest Noseworks offers Nosework classes in both group and private sessions, focusing on sharing the joy of scent work and enhancing dogs’ confidence and partnership. These classes are structured to prepare teams for all titling organizations, including NACSW, UKC, USCSS, and AKC.

The curriculum includes Introduction to Nose Work, which encourages natural scenting abilities and builds confidence; Puppy Noses!, specifically designed for puppies under 1 year old to introduce them to the sport in a supportive setting; Introduction to Odor, which advances scent discrimination skills and builds dog/handler teamwork; Continuing Nose Work, which further develops handler skills and introduces additional target odors; and Advanced Nose Work, geared towards experienced teams to expand their understanding of target odors, tactics, advanced handling, and off-leash work in challenging scenarios.

In addition to classes, Northwest Noseworks hosts Special Events, including exclusive dog training retreats and clinics at The Kindred training center in Sequim. These events feature internationally known subject matter experts in various dog training disciplines. Other services provided include special in-home boarding for select dogs, judging Scent Work Events, specialty scent training and handler coaching, detection K-9 consulting, and temperament testing for litters of puppies.

Northwest Noseworks is a dog training business specializing in scent work, led by Miriam, the first Certified Nose Work Instructor (CNWI) with the National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW) in Washington. The business offers group and private Nosework classes designed to share the joy of scent work, enhance dogs’ confidence, and build partnership between dogs and their owners.

Classes are structured for all titling organizations, including NACSW, UKC, USCSS, and AKC. Beyond Nosework, Northwest Noseworks provides special events such as exclusive dog training retreats and clinics at their training center, The Kindred, in Sequim, where they host internationally known subject matter experts.

Miriam’s extensive background includes owning and operating Verity Services from 2000 to 2015, which provided drug and explosive detection dog services. She is known as ‘the trainers’ trainer’, having taught over 1,800 classes since 2009 and mentored many other CNWIs. Other services include in-home boarding, judging scent work events, specialty scent training, detection K-9 consulting, and temperament testing for puppies.

Accomplishments

Miriam, the lead trainer at Northwest Noseworks, was the first Certified Nose Work Instructor (CNWI) with the National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW) in Washington. She serves as a Judge for NACSW ORTs (Odor Recognition Tests), a Judge and Chief Search Designer for USCSS trials, and a judge for AKC’s Scent Work program.

Since bringing K9 Nose Work to Washington State in 2009, Miriam has taught over 1,800 classes across 7 Northwest cities. She is recognized as ‘the trainers’ trainer’, having provided foundational education in dog sport to 9 current CNWIs in Washington, British Columbia, and California, with another now working SAR dogs in Florida.

From 2000 to 2015, Miriam owned and operated Verity Services, a business that provided drug and explosive detection dog services to schools, businesses, and private homes, as well as screening ships’ stores for explosives for cruise ships and working with explosive detection dogs for NW regional shopping malls. She continuously furthers her education in detection dogs, pet dog training, and selective breeding through seminars in the US, Canada, and Europe, and hosts multiple weekend dog training retreats and clinics featuring nationally renowned dog trainers at her training center.