Sniffer School

Sniffer School offers an Intro to Nosework course ($170) for beginners, followed by ongoing group classes and drop-in sessions for intermediate and advanced dogs. Specialty drop-in sessions focus on specific search elements like Containers and Vehicles. Private sessions are available for personalized training. Training progresses through NACSW levels (NW1, NW2, NW3) with competitions hosted at YMCA Camp Ocoee. All training uses positive reinforcement and rewards-based methods, with dogs always rewarded upon finding a target odor.

Pricing Summary

Private Nosework Sessions: $75/hour. Drop-in classes: $40 for 2-hour sessions (Friday PM, Saturday AM), $35 for 1-hour specialty sessions (Containers, Vehicles). Intro to Nosework: $170 for 1 hour. Classes require a minimum of 4 teams to start; no set packages, but ongoing weekly participation is encouraged.

Policies

No explicit cancellation or rescheduling policy is stated. Classes require a minimum of 4 teams to start. Participants must contact the school to confirm entry before payment for trials. Volunteers are assigned on-site and must dress appropriately for outdoor work.

Sniffer School is a dog training business specializing in Nosework and Scentwork, a fun and mentally stimulating sport that lets dogs use their natural scenting abilities. Founded by Certified Nosework Instructor (CNWI) Angie Young, the school offers classes and private sessions designed for all dogs—especially shy, reactive, or high-energy dogs—to build confidence and provide a fulfilling job. Training is based on positive reinforcement and focuses on the NACSW competition format, with support also available for AKC and K9 Scent Games. The program is ideal for pet dogs, working dogs, and senior dogs, offering low-impact, mentally exhausting activities that require no expensive equipment. Sniffer School also hosts scent work trials and volunteer opportunities at YMCA Camp Ocoee in Ocoee, TN.

Angie has been training dogs since 2005 and has competed in multiple dog sports including AKC Rally, Protection Sport Association, and Dock Diving. She has titled multiple dogs in NACSW, PSD, and KSG, and continues to compete with her own dogs. Her CNWI certification, earned in December 2023, reflects her expertise in teaching Nosework to dog owners. The school emphasizes individualized training and creates a supportive environment for dogs of all temperaments.

Classes are offered at their facility in Soddy Daisy, TN, with drop-in options for advanced students and structured Intro to Nosework courses for beginners. They also offer specialty sessions focused on specific search elements like Containers and Vehicles. Sniffer School is not a general obedience school but a niche provider focused exclusively on scent detection sports and confidence-building through scent work.

Accomplishments

Angie Young is a Certified Nosework Instructor (CNWI) certified in December 2023. She has competed and titled multiple dogs in NACSW, PSD, and KSG. Her dog Groot earned Elite 2 with 3rd place overall. She has 22 years of experience raising and training German Shepherds and has competed in AKC Rally, Protection Sport Association, and Dock Diving.

How to Get Started!

Interested dog owners should contact Sniffer School via phone or email to inquire about upcoming classes. New students can book an Intro to Nosework session or request a private session. Classes begin when a minimum of 4 teams are enrolled. A pre-class questionnaire is available online for new participants.