Chesapeake Maritime Museum hosts K-9 Nose Work event

ST. MICHAELS, Md. – Dogs big and small took their sense of smell to the next level at the National Association of Canine Scent Work event on Sunday with search areas at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels.

Handlers who traveled from across the country took their dogs to sniff out places in and around boats with the goal to detect certain kinds of smells.

They say it is a sport that lets them create special bonds with their dogs.

“Usually the handler is in charge,” said Event Host Cornelia Heckenbach.

“In this sport, the dog is in charge and you really have to become a team,” said Heckenbach.

Organizers tell 47ABC this sport allows dogs and their trainers to get a sense of what professional K-9 police officers do to help save lives.

“A lot of these folks are big fans of all the work men and women do with the professional dogs,” said Event Judge Robert Boyles.

“Explosives detection, military, law enforcement and it gives them a chance to participate in that and do that in a small way,” said Boyles.

They add during these challenges these dogs often come face to face with their biggest fears.

“Some dogs can get fearful of tight spaces and some dogs don’t like things hanging over top of their heads,” said Boyles, “That can make them nervous.”

But, handlers tell us it is a sport any dog can succeed in with a little extra push.

“It’s inclusive,” said Boyles, “You can bring your rescue companion dog out and still participate.”

“Anybody can do it with any kind of dog,” said Heckenbach, “You don’t have to have a special breed.”

Organizers add 20 teams came out to Sunday’s National Association of Canine Scent Work event at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. A closed event was also held on Friday where nearly 30 elite teams from all over the coast gathered for a Nose Work event.