Episodes
Oct. 27, 2025
Lena and Neo | Proving Them Wrong
Lena went to the first AKC Scent Work Master Nationals mostly to support the event, but she also had a couple of goals. She wanted to make it into the top 100 and have the highest-placing Australian Shepherd. A few years earl...
Oct. 13, 2025
Tracy Hill | Setbacks, Sick Dogs, and Showing Up Anyway
Scent work isn’t just about ribbons. It’s about setbacks, resilience, and the bond that makes every trip to the start line a gift. In this episode, Tracy Hill offers practical takeaways for competitors while also opening up a...
Oct. 6, 2025
Penny Scott-Fox | Have the Balls to Call It
The first time I ran under Penny Scott Fox, she gave me a piece of feedback I still think about every time I step into a search area. We unpack what she meant by that comment — and how handlers can feel more confident calling...
Sept. 29, 2025
Donna Morgan Murray | Scent Work Beyond AKC, Reading Your Dog, and When to Excuse Yourself from a Search
Beyond her role as a judge and competitor, Donna opens the door to other ways the game is played that many handlers may not have seen before. She talks about why placing hides in training isn’t always about whether your dog c...
Sept. 22, 2025
Jennifer Hamilton | From First Trial Struggles to All-In on Scent Work
Excused from the crate area and rattled through her novice searches, Jennifer's first scent work trial was anything but smooth. Instead of quitting, that moment lit the fire. Jennifer talks about the overlooked skill that bec...
Sept. 15, 2025
Ellen Parr | Learning Rules the Hard Way, Reading Beyond the Final Responce, and Still Getting Goosebumps
The distractor rule I learned the hard way from Ellen, and it can make the difference between qualifying or not. It was awkward in the moment, but unforgettable. We came back to that story, along with something I’ve noticed i...
Sept. 8, 2025
Aleks Woodrofe | The Most Critical Handler Skill, The Value of Volunteering, and Setting Hides with Purpose
Scent work wasn’t part of the plan. It started with Sam, anxious in agility but able to find his place in nose work. Then Rosie, her flat coat, lit up the moment she started searching, and her joy made the game contagious. Fi...
Sept. 1, 2025
Hallie McMullen | Fun and Fair Searches, Funky Odor Behavior, and “My Handler’s Never Done That
From first Qs to Detective titles, Hallie McMullen has been part of the journey for countless teams. Now she shares her judging philosophy and training insights. Hallie has judged for NACSW and AKC, while also competing with ...
Aug. 25, 2025
Laurie Schlossnagle | One of AKC’s First Judges, C-WAGS Pioneer
From helping build C-WAGS scent work to judging the very first AKC Scent Work trial, Laurie Schlossnagle has been part of key milestones in the sport’s growth. In this episode, she shares her leash-handling philosophy, how sh...
