Workshops

March 13-15, 2026 Workshops:

Location: 6090 Blue Star Hwy, Saugatuck, MI 49453 at a private heated storage shop space.

Instructor: Kellie VanNuil is an AKC scent work judge and a UKC elite shed dog series judge. Kellie has titled multiple dogs to an AKC scent work master, a dog to an UKC elite nosework, and multiple dogs in UKC Shed hunt. Kellie has been involved in the sport of nosework for seven years and shed hunt for three years.

Workshop Schedule:

  • Friday

    1. 6:30pm-8pm Intro to Nosework Trialing: This workshop will include a presentation on trialing in nosework in multiple venues. We will go over topics like reading premiums, how to enter, checking in on trial day, trial flow, trial etiquette and more. This workshop is perfect for the beginner to nosework trials.

  • Saturday

    1. 9am- Noon Intro to Nosework: Workshop will include a presentation on nosework and how to teach it, a demo of what nosework looks like, and the opportunity to work your dog as we introduce them to nosework. This workshop is designed for dogs who have never done nosework before or are very inexperienced and have not trialed yet.

    2. 1pm-4pm Intro to Shed Hunt: Workshop will include a presentation on shed hunt, a demo, and the opportunity to work your dog. This workshop will be focusing on UKC Shed hunting but will briefly cover NASDA and wild shed hunting. This workshop is designed for dogs who are new to shed hunt. In order to get the most out of this workshop, your dog will need a good recall and the desire to pick up a toy. Please bring a chair, toys, treats and a longline to this workshop if you have one.

  • Sunday

    1. 9am-10:30am Blank Areas: This workshop will include a presentation on training for blank search areas and the opportunity to work your dog in both blank search areas and areas with odor (will run blind with instructor commentary). This workshop is recommended for intermediate and advanced nosework dogs.

    2. 11am -2pm Conquering The Upper Levels: This workshop will include a presentation on trialing in the upper levels and the opportunity to work your dog (will run blind with instructor commentary). We will go over ways to be successful in the upper levels of nosework and strategies for getting you and your dog ready to conquer the upper levels. This workshop is recommended for intermediate and advanced nosework dogs.

    3. 2:30pm -4pm Hide Placement and Why It Matters: This workshop will include a presentation on hide placement and why it matters (We will go over some of the hide placements used in the Conquering The Upper Levels workshop and many more). We will go over why placing hides can greatly effect your dog's performance in a search. We will go over things to consider when setting hides for your dog including when to intentionally challenge the dog and when to set the dog up for success. We also will talk about considerations when reusing search areas frequently and best practices in doing so. This workshop is good for those new to nosework as well as those seasoned in nosework.

Cost:

  • 3hr Workshops: $75 for a working spot.

  • 1.5hr Workshops: $40 for a working spot.

Important Things To Know:

  • Restrooms: Will be a standard porta-potty.

  • We will be video recording at these workshops. All attendees will be required to sign a photo/video release form in order to attend. We will not be allowing any video or audio recording during the lecture. You may video your dog working in a working spot only.

  • Aggressive dogs and reactive dogs (who can’t work under threshold around a group of people) are not allowed to attend for everyone’s safety. If you have a dog that fits this description but still want to attend please reach out to us at vannuilcanine@gmail.com and we will set you up with an audit spot.

  • The shop space we are using is heated but please dress for the weather. Parts of some of these workshops will have outdoor components.

  • Dogs will be required to crate QUIETLY in the car while they are not working. I will NOT be allowing dogs to sit in the presentation or when others are working.

  • You will need to bring a chair for yourself. We will not have chairs available.

  • EACH SIGN UP IS FOR ONE PERSON AND DOG TEAM.

  • Sign up through our scheduling software below.