ENROLMENT INFO AND FAQs
FAQs
Is my dog suitable for Nosework?
If your dog has a nose – yes! Virtually dogs are all suitable to participate in nosework. This includes:
- Puppies through to seniors (no minimum or maximum age)
- Hyperactive & high energy dogs
- Dogs with less mobility, amputations and disabilities
- Dogs recovering from desexing (spaying and neutering)
- Dogs recovering from medical procedures and surgery (with vet/physiotherapist clearance)
- Dogs on restricted activity including heart conditions, orthopaedic conditions etc.
- Shy, nervous or anxious dogs
- Reactive dogs
- Dog who are not suited to group class environments
- Dogs with no prior training experience
- Rescue dogs
- ALL breeds, shapes and sizes
Dogs are crated or car crated during class between runs, so being comfortable to be in a crate or rest in your car alone is preferable.
We do have some resting place options for dogs who are not comfortable being left alone. If you have any questions or concerns about suitability for your dog, please contact us prior to enrolling.
Does my dog need any prior experience or training to attend nosework?
No, neither you nor your dog need any prior training or skills to participate. This activity is accessible to people and dogs of all ages and abilities.
How do I book?
To enrol into any of our courses or services, click on Book Online and select the course or service of your choice. The website will take you through the whole booking process. If you have any issues, please contact us.
What payment methods do you accept?
Payment can be made at time of booking or at a later date (for some courses) online via the booking system. We also accept bank transfer, details are provided in your enrolment confirmation email. Payment plan options may be available, please contact us regarding this option.
Please note: Full payment must be made 48 hours prior to class commencing to secure your place. In the event that a class becomes fully booked more than 48 hours prior to commencement date, your place is not secured until payment has been made. Unsecured places will be allocated to the next person on the waitlist. Please contact us if you have any questions regarding payment.
What if I need to cancel before class begins?
We know sometimes things happen, so provided you give us at least 72 hours written notice, we are happy to offer you a full refund, minus transaction fees. Any cancellations made 48-71 hours notice will be subject to an administration fee of $80, and the balance of your course fees (minus transaction fees) will be refunded. Cancellations 48 hours or less are non-refundable unless the place can be taken by another paying attendee (minus transaction fees). Class and workshop fees are non-refundable or transferable once a course has commenced. If you are unable to attend your booked Nosework Taster, casual class, workshop, course after it has commenced, your fees will be forfeited. We do not offer partial refunds if you are unable to attend any class/es of your course. Where possible and where space is available, we do offer catch up classes, for any missed classes, but this option is not available for workshops or casual classes.
What do I need to bring to class?
Please see below under of what you need to bring with you for a safe and successful class. This will also be outlined in your confirmation of enrolment/welcome email.
Should I feed my dog before class?
Class can be a distracting with many novel items, people and environments. We want your dogs to be motivated to focus and participate, so please do not feed them their normal meal before class. Some dogs will be more focused if they have a small portion of food before class, please contact us if you are unsure.
Do I exercise my dog before class?
We don’t want your dog to be too tired to participate in class, but a light walk or brief game fetch or tug game before class can help dogs with extra energy.
What do I wear to class?
Please wear comfortable weather appropriate clothing, that you don’t mind if it gets dirty. You and all family members attending must wear fully enclosed shoes for workplace health and safety reasons. We recommend bringing a hat and sunscreen, as some classes may be held outdoors. For summer months, mozzie spray is a must, as we are in a low lying, flood prone area. Some options will be provided that you are welcome to use.
Sick/Injured/In Season Dogs
If your dog is unwell (vomiting, diarrhoea, contagious conditions etc.) please do not bring your dog to class. Dogs can participate if they have been recently desexed, as it is a low impact activity and ideal to keep them amused during their prescribed recovery time. Usually if your dog has had no complications and is under any required pain management, they are suitable to participate in nosework the day after desexing surgery.
For dogs who have recently had surgery (e.g. cruciate, patellas etc) they can participate once they have had vet/physiotherapist clearance. For some dogs, this can be as soon as 3 weeks after surgery. Please discuss this with your medical professional and let them know we can modify your dog’s searches to suit any physical limitations or rehabilitation requirements while in recovery. (e.g. hide heights, period of time walking around)
Entire dogs are welcome, they do not have to be desexed to participate in classes. Dogs in season are also welcome to attend classes, we would appreciate them wearing pants while attending classes. Safety for all dogs and clients is our priority, so please contact us if you have concerns about attendance.
Arriving for Class/Late Arrivals
We would appreciate arrival at least 10 mins early, to set up your dog’s crate/resting space, and to allow them to acclimatise, toilet and be ready for class. We can still accommodate you and your dog if you miss the start time, but please be mindful when you arrive to minimise disturbing or distracting the dog currently searching. Please be aware arriving late may mean you miss class context and/or your dog may have less search time. If you arrive late, we may not be able to catch you and your dog up on any missed theory or practical exercises.
No Contact or Dog Greetings
We have dogs participating in nosework that require space from other dogs, so it’s important you are mindful of this and don’t allow your dog to stare at, greet, run up to or play with other dogs. Our nosework classes provide a safe space for sensitive dogs to come and have fun. We would appreciate not allowing dogs to interact with each other before, during or after class. Some dogs are triggered simply by the visual or sounds of other dogs, so please support other nosework teams at the grounds and do what you can to be considerate of their needs.
How many people can attend the class?
You are welcome to bring as many family or friends as you would like to class. All attendees must follow our safety rules and follow all instructions from Hide ’n’ Seek Nosework staff. Any children under 7 years old will need an additional person 15 years or over to supervise. We recommend bringing quiet activities for children to participate in (reading, colouring, iPads etc), so as to not distract or disrupt the other dogs in class.
Can I bring multiple dogs to a class?
Yes! Nosework is a class you can enrol and bring multiple dogs to, even if there is only one handler. Dogs participate one at a time, with others remaining in the crates until their turn. Please ensure you bring sufficient treats and all equipment needed for multiple dogs.
Can my child be the main handler for the dog?
We welcome children to participate in the sessions, they make fantastic trainers! For safety and insurance reasons, we do request an adult over 16 is handling the leash at all times on the grounds, unless directed by staff otherwise. We are committed to dog-child safety and would be happy to chat about how to create safe and happy interactions.
How many dogs are in a class?
Nosework classes are usually run with 4-8 teams (dog and handler) to ensure each dog gets as much search time as appropriate for their needs. Class numbers can vary depending on the kind of class or timeslot its scheduled for. Small classes enable us to coach you and your dog through the skills, to ensure you get the support you need to succeed.
What happens if I can’t attend or miss a class?
We understand life happens and you may not be able to attend a class. We will offer, wherever possible, a catch up class in another group of an equivalent level, should there be a place available. We make no guarantees and this will depend on availability, as places in our classes are limited. Catch up classes are on a case by case basis and are solely at our discretion.
Refunds, partial refunds or course/service transfers will not be offered if you are unable to attend a class or multiple classes once a course has commenced. Please refer to our Enrolment Terms & Conditions for more information.
What is a Sniffer Pass?
Enrolment Terms, Conditions & Safety Information
What To Bring
Failure to bring required equipment may impact you or your dog’s ability to participate in class. Please try to remember to bring the following, and any specific equipment required for your class. You will not be offered a refund, partial refund, credit or course transfer for failure to comply with our safety requirements.
- Flat Enclosed Shoes
- Current Vaccination/Titre Certificate (if not already provided upon enrolment)
- Sufficient High Value Food Treats
- 2-3 Favourite Toys
- Leash (Standard & 3/5metre) & Collar (and/or Harness)
- Poo Bags
- Crate
- Water Bowl & Water
- Flat Enclosed Shoes
It is a workplace health and safety and insurance requirement that all people attending training (including any children) are wearing fully enclosed shoes. Please leave a spare pair of enclosed shoes in the car to change into, should you forget. If you are not wearing the correct footwear, it may affect your ability to participate in class.
- Vaccination Certificate/Titre Record
Please bring a physical or digital copy of your dog’s current vaccination or titre to your first class. If you are unable to provide this, your dog may not be able to participate in the class or workshop. We recommend you take a photo of it and store it on your phone so you have it on hand at all times.
- Meaty Treats (& treat pouch)
Please have a large quantity, high value treats cut up into very small portions – no larger than the size of your little fingernail (half that for smaller breeds). Puppies will require half the size recommended above. If they can chew the treat, it is probably too big.
For adults, we recommend a minimum of 1 full sandwich bag of treats, for puppies 3/4 sandwich bag should be sufficient. It is better to have leftovers that you can use for training later, rather than to run out during the consultation.
Human (stinky, meaty) food treats work best. A mixture of a few different varieties is ideal, to keep things motivating and interesting for your dog. Even though your dog probably loves dry food and treats, they are are often not enticing enough around distractions or in environments outside the home. Some suggestions are below:
– Cooked chicken or turkey
– Cooked steak or roast meat
– Cheese
– Sausage
– Bacon
– Cabana
– Leftover roast
– Prime100 rollIf your dog has allergies, dietary sensitivities or restrictions or is on an elimination diet, please contact us prior to your class if you need assistance choosing suitable treats.
We recommend bringing treat pouch for classes, enabling you to have treats close to hand. There are lots on the market and its a personal choice, but we love the Doggone Good Rapid Rewards. We stock these with our sister business, Mind Body and Bowl, which can be ordered with free pick up at your class for convenience. Click here to purchase. Simply enter a Brisbane postcode upon check out for pick up option to become available.
- Toys
Bring 2-3 of your dog’s favourite toys, that are highly motivating and something they really love to interact with. This might be a tug toy, a Kong, a ball or a plush toy. If you are unsure, bring a selection and we can see what will motivate your dog.
- Leash & Collar (Harness)
For classes, a standard collar or front/back attachment harnesses are suitable. A head collar or halter is also appropriate, but MUST in addition to a standard collar or harness. These can be used to walk your dog in and out of the search area, but must be removed prior to your dog’s search. Check (choke), prong, shock (electric) or citronella collars are not permitted at the grounds at any time.
Please ensure your dog’s collar and/or harness are in good condition and are well fitting (no risk of escaping the equipment).
Leashes need to be a standard lightweight leash, 1.8-2.2 metres is ideal. Longer leashes 3m-5m are ideal for exterior searches, we recommend bringing it along if you have one, just in case. Ensure if it is in good condition and not at risk of breaking or failing.
Your dog must be on leash at all times, unless otherwise instructed. Please ensure your dog is on leash before leaving the car. We will soon have waterproof leashes available for purchase and pick up at your class, please contact us if you are interested in purchasing one.
If you have any questions regarding equipment, please contact us prior to class.
- Poo Bags
We love responsible dog parents, please bring poo bags to clean up your dog’s waste. We will provide paper towel and F10/disinfectant spray to clean up on hard surfaces; owners are fully responsible for cleaning up after their dog. We train in a multi purpose venue and in public areas, so it’s essential we keep them clean so we are able to continue to use them. Please only use our bins marked with a sign for waste disposal, unless directed otherwise.
- Crate (if not resting your dog in the car)
Nosework is structured differently from other training courses, where each individual dog searches, while other dogs are crated or secured in car, waiting their turn. This allows dogs to feel comfortable to search without competition and also provides an activity and safe place for nervous, fearful or reactive dogs to participate and have fun. Resting in the car also allows for your dog to refresh for their next searches.
Car crating/resting is preferable, provided they can remain comfortable in warm or cool weather and calm. If you prefer to crate them outside of your car, please bring a secure hard or soft crate for your dog, with a cover or something to cover it. For warmer weather consider cooling mats, cooling bandanas, cooling coats and crate fans. We may modify class structures in high heat if we feel dogs being crated/in cars unsupervised in heat poses a safety risk.
If you have any questions or concerns about crates or would like recommendations of where to purchase a crate, please contact us.
- Water Bowl and Water
A water bowls is provided at the venue, however, your dog may prefer to use their own, especially if they are nervous or reactive and would prefer to drink at their car. Dogs need to drink frequently to search properly, so its important they have frequent access to water. Classes may be held in public settings or alternate locations, where access to water may be more difficult.
SICK/INJURED DOGS
If your dog is unwell (vomiting, diarrhoea, coughing, contagious conditions etc.) please do not bring your dog to class. If your dog can be safely left at home, you are welcome to attend without them to ensure you don’t miss the session.
Dogs who are booked in for desexing during a course or who have recently been desexed, are usually still able to participate in classes and workshops, as many activities are low impact. Training is an ideal way to keep them amused during their prescribed recovery time. Dogs do not have to be desexed to participate in classes.
Safety for all dogs and clients is our priority, so please contact us if you have concerns about attendance.
ARRIVING FOR CLASS/LATE ARRIVALS
To help set your dog up for success, please aim to arrive at least 10-15 mins early, to set up your dog’s crate/gather training equipment, toilet and settle your dog and be ready for class. Late arrivals can impact the experience of other clients and their dogs, especially those that require more space. As we offer group services, we aim to provide a safe and comfortable experience for all attendees.
If you arrive late, don’t stress! Just quietly enter the class area, or wait until the current dog searching has finished their run to minimise disturbance. Arriving in a mad panic can make it difficult for your dog to be ready to learn, and we want to set them (and you) up for a successful class, so try to keep calm and we can slot your dogs into the running order once you arrive. Please note, arriving late may mean you miss class content or your dog may have less search time. If you miss a significant portion of the class, where possible, we will offer catch up classes, but this option only available where we have space in another equivalent class. Please note a catch up class is not guaranteed, is on a case by case basis and at our discretion.
NO CONTACT BETWEEN DOGS OR DOG GREETINGS
Clients must not allow their dog to meet, greet, approach or play with another dog on the training grounds unless a staff member has instructed otherwise. This is regardless of whether the dogs are off leash or on leash. On leash greetings can be particularly risky, and can easily lead to a dog fight. Be aware of your leash length and take steps to ensure your dogs cannot accidentally approach another.
We have dogs participating in our services that require space from other dogs, so it’s important you are mindful of this and don’t allow your dog to stare at, greet, run up to or play with other dogs. Some dogs are triggered simply by the visual of other dogs, so please support other clients and their dogs at the grounds and do what you can to be considerate of their needs. Our no greetings policy ensures all clients, dogs and staff are safe and that dogs are able to settle and concentrate, ready for class. It also reduces the chances of future reactivity issues with your dog, as those who always get to meet and greet, may react poorly and aggressively in the future in frustration, as they have developed an expectation.
Not all dogs like to be approached, no matter how friendly other dogs appear and we strongly support and advocate for those who need space. We are happy to show you how to move around tight and busy areas with your dog, to minimise issues on the grounds and in public areas.
APPROACHING OTHER DOGS
Please do not approach other dogs without the owner’s AND the dog’s permission. Some dogs and puppies can be nervous or fearful of unknown people or they way they are approached. We are happy to show you the best way for people to approach and ask a dog for permission to interact with them, to create the best possible experience for them.
CHILDREN IN CLASS
We welcome children to participate in the sessions, they make fantastic trainers! All children must follow our safety policies and staff members’ instructions. For safety and insurance reasons, we do request an adult over 16 is handling the leash at all times on the grounds, unless otherwise directed by staff. We are committed to dog-child safety and would be happy to chat about how to create safe and happy interactions.
Any children under 7 years old will need an additional person 15 years or over to supervise. Our services are a mixture of both theory and hands on activities, however, children may find parts of our classes or workshops difficult, as they will required to sit quietly and listen. For those that may find this challenging or for children who do not wish to actively participate in class, we recommend bringing quiet activities to keep them busy (reading, colouring, iPads etc), so as to not distract or disrupt their own, or other dogs in class.
Please ensure your children do not run, jump, climb on or move class equipment, play with balls, ride bikes/scooters/skateboards, squeal, yell or engage in other fast moving or noisy activities or approach other client’s dogs. These kind of actions can make it very difficult for dogs (and humans) to concentrate and can also spook and frighten dogs, which may result in them developing long term negative associations or reacting aggressively in defence.
If you feel your child may have difficulty following instructions or sitting quietly for the class duration, we would recommend coming to class without them, and then showing them how to work with the dog at home instead. If staff feel a child/ren are impacting the learning experience for the dogs in class or may pose a safety risk for them or dogs, we reserve the right to ask you to take your family home and be happy to discuss (and provide where possible) alternative training arrangements.
COURSE COMMENCEMENT DATES
Depending on the specific course, we usually require minimum number of four to six enrolled and confirmed dogs in order to commence a course. Your dog’s enrolment is not considered confirmed until full payment (or otherwise arrangement) has been made. Occasionally courses or workshops may not commence on the scheduled date due to low enrolments. You will be notified via email and/or SMS if this occurs, with the new commencement date. The class start times may be adjusted, depending on enrolment numbers.
Scheduling may be affected if there are postponements in other courses prior to yours. If a class or workshop has been postponed to low enrolments, instructor illness or inclement weather, venue event etc, this may affect the scheduled start date for your course. Please keep this in mind when enrolling, as refunds will not be offered for change of date or postponements. We may be able to offer a credit, catch up class or to transfer you to another course where possible, but cannot guarantee this. Any accomodations are on a case by case basis and at our discretion.
BAD WEATHER & INSTRUCTOR ILLNESS
Due to our Queensland weather (storms, flooding, high level humidity/heat etc) it is sometimes not suitable to hold a classes in inclement weather. We will advise you as early as possible, via our private client Facebook group, SMS and/or EMAIL if your class is required to be rescheduled. If your trainer is ill or experiences a personal emergency and is unable to instruct the class, you will be notified via Facebook, SMS and/or EMAIL as early as possible.
Please ensure that you have provided us with your mobile telephone number and email. If you are in a multiple session course, we will simply extend the course by a week. If it is a casual class or workshops, we will reschedule to the next available schedule opening, aiming to accommodate client availability as best we can. We will offer catch up classes wherever possible for those unable to attend due to change of schedule, however this is not guaranteed and is at our discretion. It is important that you take this into account when enrolling since refunds will not be offered in this case.
CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS
We know sometimes things happen, but we do often schedule in advance and according to demand. Last minute cancellations can impact the viability to run a course/class/workshop as planned. Please note our cancellation/refund policy below. We kindly request written notice by email to sniff@hidenseeknosework.com.au
Cancellations:
– 72 hours+ prior to course commencement, we are happy to offer you a full refund, minus any transaction fees incurred from your online payment.
– 71-48 hours prior to the course commencement will be subject to an administration fee of $80 (plus transaction fees incurred via online payments). The balance of your course or workshop fees will be refunded.
– 48 hours or less are non-refundable, unless the class place can be taken by another paying attendee. If a replacement attendee cannot be found, your full course/class/workshop fees are non-refundable.
– Day of Course/Class/Workshop or Once a Course Has Commenced – Course fees are non refundable or transferable.
If you are unable to attend any of your classes during a course due to illness, dog illness, work or family commitments etc, we do not offer refunds or partial refunds for any missed sessions. We will aim to offer a suitable catch up session wherever possible (this may be wither without the dog depending on space available), but this is not guaranteed, on a case by case basis and solely at our discretion.-
SERVICE CONTENT & INSTRUCTION
Please note, the content and feedback presented in our services (classes, workshops, private consultations etc.) is for personal use only, not for professional development or to become an instructor or service provider of nosework or scent work. If you are genuinely interested in teaching nosework, please contact us for more information.
The content provided is also not designed to train dogs to be professional detection or assistance dogs, whether as a volunteer or working position capacity. The skills provided are for recreational use only for both the dog and handler.
