Description
Dog Driven Search: Advanced Handling to Emphasize Joy and Drive in the Search
with Dana Zinn CPDT-KA
Registration is closed.
Saturday, November 8, 2025
9:00AM – 5:00PM
Innovation Academy Charter School
72 Tyng Road
Tyngsborough, MA
Current limit is 80 attendees.
- There will be 6 demonstration team spots available
- See “Demo Dog Information” section for more information.
- Please read all seminar information on the webpage including policies and related procedures before registering.
- Registration will close on November 3, 2025 or when full. Walk-in registrations will be available the day of the event if space permits.
- All participants must agree to the COVID/health policy below.
DANA ZINN, CPDT-KA
Dana Zinn has been working with and training dogs since 1999. Her many years of dog training experience include working at the spcaLA as an Animal Behavior & Training Specialist. It was the time working with dogs in the shelter that drew her to the sport of K9 Nose Work®; not only for her own dogs, but for the many dogs in need of a “job” to do.
Dana was involved in the first publicly offered Nose Work class in Long Beach, CA. She not only participated but eventually assisted in instruction. From there Dana became involved in the development of the K9 Nose Work® instructor certification program. Dana was one of the first participants to be certified as an instructor for the K9 Nose Work® curriculum approved by the National Association of Canine Scent Work, LLC. Over the years, she had many jobs with NACSW including certifying official, supervising certifying official, and trial judge.
Her learning never stops as she continues to teach classes, instruct at camps, compete in trials, create webinars, and teach workshops. She recently co-authored a book with Sue Sternberg, The Dog-Driven Search, Handling Our Nose Work Dogs to Promote Independence, Joy and Enthusiasm.
Dana has participated in a variety of canine activities such as obedience, herding, agility and of course Nose Work. One of her proudest moments was placing first in the 2014 NACSW National Invitational. Dana moved from California with her family to Golden, Colorado in 2008 and brought the sport of K9 Nose Work® with her. She hosted the first trials in Colorado and has absolutely loved watching nose work flourish there. Dana is honored to be a part of the amazing community that has grown around the game and sport in Colorado and surrounding areas.
Dana strives to increase her knowledge about canine behavior and instruction. She has attended and helped coordinate many seminars featuring some of the world’s most sought-after speakers. One of her most memorable educational experiences was working with and learning from the renowned dog behavior expert and trainer John Rogerson. She has traveled to England and Washington state to work with and assist him on many courses including his 21-day Instructors’ Course.
Dana is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and a member of the Colorado Trainers’ Networking Group. Dana was certified as a professional dog training in 2005 by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT).
Dana currently shares her life with her wonderful husband Ken, two beautiful children Jessica & Ben, and her two Labrador Retrievers, Winnie and Sunny.
Dana Zinn is back with more about the Dog Driven Search. She will bring her knowledge and first-hand experience on more advanced handling and training concepts to support a truly dog-driven search. Deepen your understanding.
- How can we work with our dogs when confronted with complicated scent pictures, and how do we assess whether they really need help?
- How do we train to build resilience for moments in trials when we choose to take over?
- What are our handling options when we want to make a suggestion?
- What should we do when our hide placements don’t go as planned? How long should we let our dog work?
These are just some of the questions we will examine in this fun-filled educational workshop.
The participants will study a group of dog and handler teams demonstrating different concepts. Dana will use video examples, and video review from live working teams, to facilitate the best learning possible. This will be an open forum for questions, lively discussions, and deep thoughts. Whether you are training your first search dog or an experienced handler or instructor, you will leave with your minds full and excited to train and trial with your best friend and search partner!
Demo Team Information:
All those not selected must be willing to audit the seminar. Please do not register if you ONLY want a demo spot.
If you would like to be considered for a demo team spot, please register as an Auditor. Then go to your confirmation email and click on this link to the Google form to tell us about your dog.
- Handler needs to be familiar with Dog-Driven Search handling and actively using it with their dog. Including: orientation; matching pace and speed; tension on/taut leash; dog leads the search.
- There will be 6 demo teams. 3 teams will work in the AM and the other 3 will work in the PM.
- Each team will have at least 2 searches and discussion of their search verbally or with video review.
- Dogs must be confidently searching, without pairing, on all three NACSW odors: Anise, Birch, Clove.
- Level: Dogs must have NW1/SWN or above.
- Dog and handler must be comfortable working in front of a large group of people in novel situations and having feedback in front of the group.
- Dog must have strong desire for odor in all situations and elements.
- Dogs CANNOT be reactive to people or environmentally sensitive.
- Dogs with mild to moderate dog reactivity that are well managed are welcome.
- Dogs will be crated in their vehicle. Inside crating will be available under extreme weather conditions.
- There is limited shade in the parking area.
- Demo teams will be selected to showcase a variety of working styles, breeds, and skills in order to provide the best overall education.
- Demo team sign up will close September 1, 2025.
- Demo team will be selected from the applicant pool by September 23, 2025. All applicants will be notified at that time.
- Those selected will be invoiced for the additional demo fee $100.
Before you register, please read the important information below including rules, health, cancellation, and refund policies.
- $140 Early bird rate (register and pay on or before September 3, 2025)
- $160 Regular Registration (register and pay after September 3, 2025)
- $185 Walk In Registration (if space available), Cash or Check payment only
- $100 Demo team spot if selected
Walk-in Registration will be available Saturday morning if space allows. Please check the website to make sure registration is still open. We will make note if this option is unavailable should we fill.
Business Group Discounts are available for AUDITORS. Save $10/pp for 3 or more. Please read the information on our Business Group Discount Page for more information about who qualifies and how to register. Please contact us via email to make sure there is availability.
Currently limited to 80 attendees.
Registration will close November 3, 2025, or when the seminar is full.
Confirmation Info
After registering and sending payment, you will receive a confirmation email from Dogs of Course.
Tips:
- Remember to look in your junk mail folder
- Check all your e-mail accounts for your confirmation
- Dogs of Course will be sending you updated information and reminders before the start of the seminar. Please watch for our email/s.
NACSW for CNWIs
N/A
CCPDT
8 CEUs
KPA-CTP
8 CEUs
If you indicated, on your webinar registration, that you need CEUs for CCPDT, or KPA, you do not need to do anything else unless the organization is requiring proof of attendance. If you need proof of attendance for your organization, we will let you know.
- KPA-CTP CEU codes will be sent to you through email, so you can print them and/or save them.
- CPDT CEUs are entered online for those that indicate certification when registering. Certificates will not be sent to you. Please check your membership account on the CCPDT member portal three weeks after the workshop.
Shopping:
We are not planning on a store at this time for this event. Check back for updates.
Charity Gift Card Raffle:
Our charity raffle will benefit Merwin Memorial Free Clinic for Animals. The Merwin Clinic provides free outpatient veterinary visits and reduced cost medication for Allston/Boston pet owners. Raffle ticket purchases will be in the form of cash or a check to the charity.
- New dog related items and gift cards will be accepted. No used items please. Questions? Contact Dana to discuss.
Health policies
Due to ongoing COVID-19, Flu and general health concerns we need to let you know several things:
- Our goal is to provide a safe healthy environment where we can all feel comfortable, and health risks are minimized.
- Please do NOT attend the seminar if you are not feeling well, including having: COVID- 19, a cold or the Flu.
- ALL participants must not have contracted COVID fewer than 7 days prior to the seminar date AND must be symptom free.
- ALL participants must not have been in contact with, living with, or exposed to any person with COVID- 19 for at least 5 days prior to the seminar.
- We encourage all Seminar Attendees to COVID TEST the morning of the seminar to make sure they are negative. This kindness protects our community.
- You may be asked to wear a mask depending on the level of COVID-19 in the area. Best to plan for it. We will be making decisions based on CDC guidelines and current outbreak levels. We will err on the side of caution and let you know if masking will be required in our final email confirmation to you 5 days before the seminar.
- By coming to the event, you agree to, and will cooperate with, the rules or regulations set in place with regards to mask wearing, hand sanitizing, food handling, and other protocols. The host has the right to adjust procedures and protocols.
- You will be required to sign a COVID-19 waiver on-line before coming to the event, indicating that you do not have COVID-19, or if you are recovering from COVID-19 you are symptom-free (other than loss of taste/smell) and were diagnosed with it at least 7 days before the seminar date, and that you have not been in contact with, living with, or exposed to, any person with COVID-19 for at least 5 days.
- See Cancellation and Refund section below for COVID specific refund policies.
These policies may change depending on the current COVID information and status. Registered participants will be informed of changes in this policy. Dogs of Course will make a reasonable effort to inform registered attendees of significant changes in this policy but is not responsible for guaranteeing the information is communicated. We will update this page as policies change.
Canine Health policies
Due to the nature of the sport of nose work dogs are placed at higher risk because their noses are touching where other dogs’ noses have been including the saliva left behind. Dogs must be healthy and free of contagious conditions including, but not limited to canine upper respiratory virus, canine flu, kennel cough, and fleas. Dogs that still may be contagious due to illness, or exposed to an illness, may be asked not to attend. Dogs with a contagious illness that may affect the rest of the dog population may be asked to leave without refund. PLEASE READ the Canine Health Specific Refund Information carefully. You will be required to sign a Canine Health waiver on-line before coming to the working session (working teams only).
Registration Refund Policy for this Seminar
Registration for this event confirms that you have read and agree to these policies.
Non-working Seminar Attendees
Full payment is required to confirm your registration. Registration is complete when both the registration form and your payment are received.
- Within 3 days of registration, full refund. If you change your mind about attending the event within 3 days of registration, a full refund will be offered.
- Between 3 days of initial registration and up to 45 days prior to the start date: Full refund, minus $25.00 administration fee.
- You may sell or give your registration to another person in lieu of a refund. See “Transferring your registration” in the 6th bullet point.
- Between 44 -7 days prior to the start date: 50% refund except for programs less than $50.00. Programs with tuition less than $50.00 will be refunded the full amount minus $25.00 administration fee.
- You may sell or give your registration to another person in lieu of a refund. See “Transferring your registration” in the 6th bullet point.
- Cancellations 6 days or less before the course: No Refunds. (note COVID policy exception below)
- “No-shows” will not receive a refund.
- Transferring your registration to another person. Participant may transfer registration to another person. The participant is responsible for finding a replacement and working out reimbursement arrangements as well as informing the replacement of any and all policies and procedures. The replacement participant will tell us who they are replacing at registration check-in on the day of the seminar. The replacement participant must follow all rules and considerations for the seminar including the COVID policies and other health protocols including signing a waiver etc., either via email attachment or at the registration check-in desk.
- Registration fee is not transferable to another seminar, camp, or virtual event.
- If the seminar does not meet the minimum number of participants required to hold the event and must be cancelled by Dogs of Course, currently registered participants will be refunded the full amount without penalty.
- If the seminar cannot take place or be completed by reason of fire, civil disturbances, an Act of God, public, national or regional emergency, or any other cause beyond the control of the organizers, a portion of the tuition will not be refunded. The amount withheld will depend on when the cancellation takes place and the nonrecoverable expenses the host incurs.
Working Seminar Attendees
- Transfers from working to auditor spots will be reimbursed the difference in tuition based the date of the change per the above refund policies.
- Due to the many facets of coordinating and administering a seminar with dogs participating, as well as the requirements each dog/owner team must meet for working seminar, the registered working participant/dog team cannot transfer her/his registration to another person for working seminars.
Dog Policies
- We ask that only working participants have dogs in the building during the seminar. The strictness of this policy depends on the location of the seminar and space availability.
- Unless otherwise stated, all dogs must be friendly with people and dogs, and quiet in a crate or ex-pen. Noisy or disruptive dogs will be asked to be moved to your vehicle or leave.
- Participants asked to leave the event/property because her/his dog is dangerous, disruptive or un-manageable will not be refunded any part of the tuition.
- Dogs that are currently in estrus may participate but must wear “pants” during all searching and at all times except when toileting.
- The owner has the option to switch to an auditor position and will be reimbursed per the transfer to auditor refund policy listed above.
- Dogs must be on leash and supervised at all times. Owners must pick-up after her/his dog.
Canine Health Cancellation Policy for Working Dogs:
Due to the unpredictable and highly contagious nature of canine upper respiratory virus, canine flu, and kennel cough, in addition to any other type of contagious disease, we are instituting a refund policy to specifically address this health concern in order to protect dogs attending the workshop. The nature of the sport of nose work places a dog at higher risk because their noses are touching where other dogs’ noses have been and as well as the saliva left behind.
3 weeks and 6 days or fewer before the workshop: If your dog was exposed to, or contracted, any of the above viruses between 3 weeks and 6 days before the workshop, please follow the policy below.
If your dog contracts any of the above viruses or any other highly contagious disease within 3 weeks of the start of the workshop. All dogs must be completely symptom free for at least 2 weeks before the workshop. If your dog was exposed to any of the above viruses or any other highly contagious disease between 3 – 2 weeks of the start of the workshop and your dog never shows symptoms nor has been re-exposed to the virus, your dog may attend the workshop. If your dog was directly exposed to any of the above viruses or any other highly contagious disease 2 weeks or less before the start of the workshop, your dog may not attend as it is possible the virus is incubating, and the dog could become sick or be carrying the virus. We will issue a full refund of the additional working dog fee minus $25.00 admin fee. A veterinary note may be required to receive a refund.
COVID, Flu, Illness Cancellation/Refund Policy for this seminar:
Revised 3/24
Please read the attendance requirements and refund policy below, in addition to the regular seminar refund policy.
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- A registrant who gets COVID within 5 days of the start of this seminar and or who is still symptomatic (other than loss of sense of smell/taste) or who have been directly exposed to a person with COVID 5 or less days before the seminar will not be refunded any portion of their seminar fee.
- Registrants who arrive at the event ill or have a temperature will be turned away and asked to leave without refund.
- If the registrant is sick the day of the event, please stay home. It doesn’t matter if you think it may be the flu or a cold or COVID-19. If you are sick, please take care of yourself and others by staying home. We are sorry but we cannot refund you any portion of the seminar fee due to illness. Let us know you are sick and won’t be attending so we won’t worry about you not showing up.
- The above refund dates apply to anyone that cannot attend due to illness.
- You may transfer your registration to another person if you are unable to attend. See requirements above.
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All cancellations must be in writing: Crevling@dogsofcourse.com
A written note back from Dogs of Course, within 5 working days, will confirm your cancellation. Your cancellation is not valid without a confirmation of receipt.
This policy applies to participants/auditors that must withdraw for any reason including but not limited to injury, illness, emergency and personal or work-related reasons. This policy is without exception.
Waiver, Assumption of Risk, and Agreement to Hold Harmless
I understand that attendance and participation in seminars run by Dogs of Course/Dana C. Crevling is not without risk to myself and/or guests who may attend this seminar.
I hereby waive and release Dana. C. Crevling, Dogs of Course, the speaker or organization, the shelter or business the seminar is located at, any animal shelter or rescue group that provided the animal, all owners of any other animals in attendance, and any of the above mentioned employees, owners, and agents from any and all liability of any nature for injury or damage which I or my dog may suffer, including specifically, but not without limitation, any injury or damage resulting from the action of any dog, and I expressly assume the risk of any such damage or injury while attending the seminar, while supervising or interacting with a dog while on the grounds or surrounding area thereto. In consideration of my attendance and participation in the seminar, I waive the right from any and all claims or claims by any member of my family or any other person accompanying me during the seminar as a result of any action by any dog, including my own.
Directions:
Innovation Academy is conveniently located off route 3A (via 495 from MA or route 3 from NH) in northeastern Massachusetts.
From southern MA, find your best route to Exit #87 off Rt 495 N to Route 4 North/3A North to Tyng Road.
From NH, find your best route to Exit #90 off Rt 3 S, follow to MA-113 E/Kendall Rd./MA-3A S to Tyng Road.
Park in the upper parking lot and enter through the door off the plaza area.
Hotel Information:
CHECK PET POLICIES BEFORE MAKING RESERVATIONS! Make sure you understand ALL the fees and restrictions. Policies and rates may change.
- Holiday Inn Express Chelmsford (Chelmsford, MA, 978-710-3151, Pet Fee $100 per stay deposit, $35 per night)
- Homewood Suites by Hilton Gateway Hills Nashua (Nashua, NH, 603-546-7470, Pet Fee $50 for 1-4 nights, 2 pets max)
- Element Chelmsford (North Chelmsford, MA, 978-256-5151, Pet Fee $25 per night)
- Sheraton Nashua (Nashua, NH, 603-888-9970, Pet Fee $50 per day, 40LB max, 1 pet per room)
- Motel 6 Nashua, NH – South (Nashua, NH, 603-888-1893, Pets Allowed/No Fee)
- Best Western Plus Chelmsford Inn (Chelmsford, MA, 978-256-7511, No Pets)
Area Airports:
Manchester, NH (Manchester-Boston Regional) – about 23 miles away
Worcester, MA (Worcester Regional) – about 50 miles away
Boston, MA (Logan) – about 40 miles away
Food: Lunch will be on your own. There are places to eat within a 15-minute driving distance.
Lunch break is scheduled for 1 hour.
Beverages and snacks are expected to be available. If the host feels that COVID concerns dictate a need to limit or not offer beverages and snacks, participants will be notified in the final confirmation about 5 days before the seminar. We ask that you wear your mask when not eating or drinking.
What to Bring:
- Bring something hard to write on, pad of paper, notebook or laptop for taking notes.
- Dress appropriately for inside and outside temperatures. The school is climate controlled, but you should dress in layers to be sure you are comfortable as the heat/AC is managed by the school. Demos will potentially be a combination of inside and outside. Bring a portable folding chair if you to prefer to sit during outside demos or spaces without seating.
- Bring a mask please. We encourage you wear to one if possible and it may be required if conditions change.
No Video or Audio Taping, please. Exceptions may be made for the working teams that want video of themselves for personal use only.
Dog Policies: If you do not have a demo team spot, please leave your dogs at home if possible. If you must bring your dog, please plan on crating in your vehicle.
If you have questions about this seminar, please contact Dana Crevling via email. We will do our best to reply within 2 business days.
Registration is closed