The Nose Work Handler - Foundation to Finesse

by Fred Helfers

This comprehensive book takes you, the handler, from the basics through challenging advanced exercises. Color photographs and helpful diagrams, plus step-by-step instructions, walk you through the basics, coach you on improving your skills, and help you to work through errors and challenges.Fred's years of professional experiences provide a wealth of insights and help you understand that professional scent problems are much the same as yours. What experts are saying about The Nose Work HandlerFred has skillfully combined science with practical handling exercises to provide a foundation for the Nose Work dog handler. Learning to handle your dog is a skill acquired over time. This book will help you to become a skillful handler.Ron Gaunt, co-founder of K9 Nose WorkThis book serves as a practical and informational guide for anyone involved in canine nose work.Susan M. Stejskalauthor of Death, Decomposition, and Detector DogsI always enjoy Fred’s perspective on the game of nose work and this book is no exception. I especially enjoy his personal stories, which are sure to make any reader smile.Dana Zinn, CPDT-KA, CNWI Zinn Dog Training, LLC This is a great book that I highly recommend.Fred Helfers clearly explains what the Nose work handler can do to improve their handling performance. Good on ya, Fred.Marion Brand, CNWI, Founder of Australian Canine Scent Work (ACSW). Fred Helfers is a retired police narcotics detective who began handling and training detection dogs in 1982. Fred established the Canine Detection Services kennels in 1984 and trained drug detection dogs for police agencies in the Pacific Northwest. He has trained hundreds of detection dog teams in the United States, Australia, Canada, and Brazil. Fred has also trained detection dogs for insects, natural gas, and accelerants.

154 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2017

Reviews

[DAVID LIDDLE · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone looking to make a start in scentwork.

Clearly explains the basics of nosework. How to give your dog the best chance to succeed. Leash handling and search patterns to let the dog do the work .

[Katrine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would not recommend this book to a beginner in K9 Nose Work - however, for the more experienced handler the book offers some important insights and great exercises to strengthen the bond between dog and handler and helping the handler understand their role in supporting their dog.

What I felt was missing was an entire chapter between chapters 1 and 2 on how to actually train oder recognition in dogs - at times the book comes to assume a level of knowledge of the reader and while I appreciated the insights from drug detection work, I at times had a hard time following its translation into K9 Nose Work.

However, what I REALLY appreciated was Fred Helfers' emphasis on the handler and how we can aid our dogs! I found the training anecdotes scattered throught truly insightful and helpful in understanding and exemplifying the arguments made. They also helped instill great confidence in the reader as they demonstrated how mistakes can be corrected - and that even experienced handlers make mistakes.

It's a book I can definitely see myself going back to every once in a while to help hone my own skills as the lesser-important-part of our Nose Work team!

[Ginny Baxter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, easy to read book with guidance presented in logical steps. I got quite a few tips that I think will help me with my NW3 dog and my NW1 dog. Thank you, Fred!

[Sher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fred Helfers is "the" man in nose work handling. This book is essential is you are new to canine scent work and if you are interested in competing in noseworks competition. Explains scent and also has a variety of drills. Discusses handler errors and explains the psychology needed for competition.

[Joe Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well and clearly written

An excellent source of knowledge for both new and more experienced dog handlers. The chapter on canine location was particularly good.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great beginner book for understanding scent and training a dog.

[Sandy Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really liked this book. A lot of interesting facts about how dogs perceive odor, etc. Loved the excercsies!