Webinar: Training and Playing Nose Work with Physically and Emotionally Challenged Dogs
COST:
$40 for General Public (incl. Lapsed NACSW Instructors and those who have registered for an instructor course but have not yet attended Segment 1)
$30 for NACSW Instructors (CNWI/ANWI/PNWI) in active status
INSTRUCTOR: Roberta Scarbeck, DVM, CNWI, CO
DATE/TIME: Thursday May 14, 2026 / 4:00-5:30pm Pacific Time
WEBINAR DESCRIPTION:
The sport of K9 Nose Work® is fabulously unique in its ability to allow dogs of all abilities to participate. Come join me for a discussion about training, playing, and competing with dogs that have physical and emotional challenges such as vision loss, hearing loss, orthopedic constraints, and sound and environmental sensitivities. We will also discuss age related changes and how to adapt the game so dogs can still enjoy playing.
Areas we will cover in this discussion:
- The many benefits of nose work for dogs with physical and emotional limitations.
- Training and handling modifications for dogs with physical and emotional challenges…thoughts to help you support your teammate and develop a deep partnership
- Equipment considerations for dogs with physical challenges
- Thoughts and experiences in trialing a dog with physical and emotional challenges Knowing how to read the sometimes subtle clues of discomfort (both physical and emotional) in your partner
- Keeping the Journey Fun…for both you and your best four legged partner!
NACSW CEUs: 3 for CNWI
REGISTRATION:
Please click the link below to begin the registration process. You will be asked for your name and email, then payment information.
NOTE: Active NACSW instructors should use the “unpublished” email address associated with their instructor portal account.
Description
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Roberta was first introduced to nose work in 2012 with a brochure left at her veterinary office introducing the sport. At the time, Roberta’s little dog Skeeter was having major issues with anxiety and sound sensitivities, and she was hopeful that this activity would build coping skills. Not only did it help tremendously with building Skeeter’s confidence, but it also saved her when Skeeter lost her eyes to glaucoma. Roberta has been hooked on the benefits of nose work since that time. When she first started training her younger dog, her instructor insisted that she explore the world of Nose Work competition. Chirp, an 8-year-old beagle that believes Nose Work is the best part of life, has successfully managed to “open the door” and expose Roberta to all of the many ways to become involved in the sport.
Roberta’s enthusiasm for “all-things-Nose work” has led her to travel coast-to-coast attending many Camps, continuing education workshops and seminars, and countless NACSW Nose Work trials. Since the “door opened”, Roberta is now a CNWI teaching all levels of students, and is a Certifying Official and Judge for NACSW trials. She is involved in all aspects of NACSW Nose Work trials and has hosted, been Volunteer Coordinator, and volunteered at all positions. Her dog Skeeter (who is now retired from competition) achieved an NW3-ELT title. Roberta has received 4 SMT titles (with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place overall placements) with her wonder dog Chirp- currently the only Beagle in the country to hold a SMT title. Being able to travel across the country to volunteer and compete at trials has allowed Roberta to observe a tremendous variety of competitor and trial host teams and how they work, thereby creating amazing opportunities for continued learning.
Roberta has worked professionally with dogs for over 35 years in the Veterinary Medical field and received her DVM in 2000. She built a start-up Veterinary Practice in Northeastern IL from the ground-up that served a grateful community for almost 25 years. Roberta’s ability to read and understand dog behaviors helped her to become a caring, compassionate, and capable Veterinarian. This background has also given her a different perspective and education on the many applications for Nose Work for our canine companions.
Roberta is also the cofounder of S.N.A.C.K.S.™ (Sniffing Noses Are Canine Keys to Success). (SnacksTraining.com)
Understanding the strong and beneficial connection we humans have with our canine friends- and how Nose Work beautifully complements this-motivates Roberta to enthusiastically share the joy of Nose Work with as many people as she can! Roberta lives in NE IL and shares a home with her hounds Chirp and Skeeter, and her spouse Donna Rauch (also a Score Room Lead and NACSW competitor) and Beaker “the fuzzy dog” ELT-CH (Boston/Shih Tzu mix).
