2026 Class & Workshop Schedule
*** Pre-registration & payment required for all classes.
Summer Nosework Outings
Chose from a 6:00-6:45 outing or 7:00-7:45 outing. $25/dog. Limit of 6 teams at each time slot.
- June 16th – meets at the Mt. Pleasant Municipal Airport
- June 30th – Porte Park in Sanford. (Meet in parking lot/look for my vehicle)
- July 14th – cancelled do to heat advisory
- July 28th -Chipp-a-Water Park on High Street, Mt. Pleasant.
- August 11th – meets at 4540 S. Nottawa Road for a Pole Barn Search.
REGISTERATION is open! Email: thehealthyk9@gmail.com
Trained Final Response Workshop
July 21st 6-8 pm at Four Paws Rehabilitation
$60./per team.
Registration is open! Email: thehealthyk9@gmail.com
Introduction to Nosework – Before Odor
6 weeks. Tuesdays 6:00-7:00. Class begins September 15th.
$140./6 weeks
Registration is Open! Email: thehealthyk9@gmail.com
Goal Focused Handler Nosework Class
This class is designed for dogs that are on target odor. Handlers can decide what they’d like to focus on; teamwork, search challenges, handling, reading their dog, etc. It’s a 6 week class with the first 3 nights in novel locations & 3 nights at Four Paws Rehabilitation.
6 weeks. Thursdays 6:15-7:15 Class Begins September 10th.
$130./6 weeks or $25./drop-in
Registration is Open! Email:thehealthyk9@gmail.com
Fall Fit Dog Workshops
Fit Dog Workshops are a fun, healthy activity for you and your dog. Improve your dog’s health (flexibility, strength, cardio), reduce stress, and encourage the bond with your canine companion.
- September 12th 10-12 at Annabelle’s K9 Station in DeWitt, MI.
- October 10th 1-3 at Four Paws Rehabilitation in Mt. Pleasant, MI.
- October 24th 1-3 at Blue Rock Dog Training in Orange, MA.
Workshop includes skills for both Level 1 & 2 Fit Dog .
For More Information: thehealthyk9@gmail.com
2027
Dates & Classes will be listed by late-Fall 2026.
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- Nosework Classes in-person
- Nosework Classes virtually
- Nosework Novel Location Opportunities
- Canine Nosework Game Days
- Fit Dog Workshops.
- Fit Dog virtual classes
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. ANWI 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. ANWI 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.
ANWI 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
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. Skills may include aging hides, thresholds, corners and tight spaces. 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. ANWI 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.