2026 Class Schedule
*** Pre-registration required for all classes. ***
Email: thehealthyk9@gmail.com. $50./Deposit upon registration. Check, Venmo, PayPal accepted.
FitDog Level 3
6 weeks. Tuesdays 6-6:45. $125.
Registration Opens November 10, 2025
Class Begins January 13, 2026.
Introduction to Nosework – Before Odor
6 weeks. Mondays 4-4:45. $140.
Registration opens November 10, 2025.
Class Begins January 12, 2026.
Nosework Skills – Introduction to Odor
5 weeks. Mondays 4:00-4:45. $125.
Registration opens January 5, 2026.
Class Begins February 23, 2026.
Nosework Skills – Skills for Competition
5 weeks. Tuesdays 5:30-6:15. $125.
Registration opens January 5, 2026.
Class Begins February 24, 2026.
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
Canine Fitness Program (known as Fit Dog)
The Fit Dog program was developed by the American Kennel Club. They are a fun series of courses designed to improve a dog’s overall health, strength, flexibility, and balance through safe, fitness-focused exercises and games.
The classes are taught by certified instructors and use positive reinforcement based methods to teach skills like body awareness, coordination, and mental stimulation. One goal is preventing injury by increasing the dog’s body awareness and enhancing the bond between dog and owner. Exercises range from basic foundation movements in Level 1 to more advanced skills like figure eights and rear paw targets in higher levels. The curriculum used is designed by experts in the canine fitness field. Certified Instructor: Michelle Lehr, Intentional Canine
Prerequisites Include: Dogs must have completed a puppy or basic obedience class. Dogs that are recovering from injuries or that are in pain are not eligible.
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- Fit Dog Level 1: Introduces foundational exercises such as foldback down, tuck sit and front paw targeting.
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- Fit Dog Level 2: Continues to build on Level 1 skills and includes rear paw targets, leg weaves, and pop-ups.
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- Fit Dog Level 3: Focuses on more advanced fitness skills like figure eights, side stepping, elevated nose touch and rear limb stretches.
**All levels count towards the AKC Fit Dog Titles; Bronze, Silver & Gold.
Introduction to Nosework – Before Odor
The nosework classes are based on the National Association of Canine Scentwork training methods.. This is a foundational course for dogs and handlers to learn the sport of K9 Nosework. The class will focus on building a dog’s natural hunting instincts in a fun and safe environment. The primary goals are to strengthen the dog’s confidence, independence, and problem-solving skills, while improving the human-animal bond and developing a partnership.
Handlers will learn to read their dogs unique behaviors to know when they are hunting, sourcing and indicating. This course is designed to set your dog up with skills to jump right into the world of canine scent sports. PNWI Instructor: Michelle Lehr, Intentional Canine
Prerequisites: NONE. Canine Nosework is designed to be a low-stress, confidence building activity for dogs of all breeds, ages and experience levels.
Nosework Skills – Introduction to Odor
The nosework classes are based on the National Association of Canine Scentwork training methods.. This is an introductory course for dogs and handlers to learn the sport of K9 Nosework. The class will focus on the basic concepts of searching for odor, how to handle & store odor, how to make a “hide”, how to place appropriate hides and teaching your dog “odor obedience”.
This class will introduce initial odor imprinting, expanding on hunting skills (games), and developing a start line routine. Birch, Anise & Clove odors will be introduced. We’ll cover gear and handling skills as well as introducing searching interior spaces. PNWI Instructor: Michelle Lehr, Intentional Canine
Prerequisites: NONE. Introduction to Nosework – Before Odor course is helpful but not required. Canine Nosework is designed to be a low-stress, confidence building activity for dogs of all breeds, ages and experience levels.
Nosework Skills – Search Elements
The nosework classes are based on the National Association of Canine Scentwork training methods. Teams will learn skills to search interiors, exteriors, containers and vehicles. The handlers will learn to navigate the unique challenges that come with each search element. Dogs will have the opportunity to sharpen their hunting skills. Handlers can become more confident with reading their dogs change of behavior, sourcing odor and indications. Handlers continue to learn effective techniques, such as practicing clean behavior chains, that will support their canine partner.
PNWI Instructor: Michelle Lehr, Intentional Canine
Prerequisites: Nosework Skills – Introduction to Odor course is suggested. Dogs should be able to search for birch, anise & clove. Canine Nosework is designed to be a low-stress, confidence building activity for dogs of all breeds, ages and experience levels.
Nosework Skills – Skills for Competition
The nosework classes are based on the National Association of Canine Scentwork training methods. This course introduces aging hides, search challenges such as thresholds, corners and tight spaces. Teams will search on different surfaces on site and in novel locations. Two more valuable skills are searching with blowing odor and searching for odor at different heights. Lessons will include skills to continue building on container and interior searches with and without distractions. At least one class will be held in a novel location. The goal is to build a confident dog with a supporting handler that will have fun competing in canine scent sports. PNWI Instructor: Michelle Lehr, Intentional Canine
Prerequisites: Nosework Skills – Introduction to Odor course is helpful but not required. However, dogs should be able to search for birch, anise & clove. Canine Nosework is designed to be a low-stress, confidence building activity for dogs of all breeds, ages and experience levels.
Nosework Skills – Maintain Searching Skills
This class is designed to provide opportunities for the handlers and their dogs to sharpen their skills. Handlers will learn how to support their dog while maintaining the dog’s searching independence, as well as reinforce clean start line practices. Dogs will learn to search in areas without odor, known as blank areas. Skills to navigate hide placement challenges as well as increasing the number of hides in search areas. Lessons will include reinforcing foundational searching skills. At least half the lessons will be in novel locations. It’s always a good time for handlers and their partner to continue to read each other amidst a search area. PNWI Instructor: Michelle Lehr, Intentional Canine
Prerequisites: Dogs will currently search for birch, anise & clove. A camera (or phone) and tri-pod is helpful for this class.