National Association of Canine Scent Work, LLC®
Official NACSW™
ODOR RECOGNITION TESTS
Odors Tested: Birch, Anise, Clove
Date: Sunday, February 16, 2025
Test Location: For Your K9 706 N. Industrial Drive Elmhurst, IL 60126
Test Host: For Your K9
Test Host Contact Info: Nancy Reyes
Test Secretary: Barb Cote
Certifying Official: Jill Snyder
Judge: Tarja Ahlgren
Entry Cost: $30 per odor
Number of Entries: 120
ORT ENTRY INFORMATION
Opening Date: Monday, January 6, 2025 at 9AM CST
Entries Close: Monday, February 10, 2025 at 5PM CST or when entry limits have been met
Second Dog Policy: Two dogs per handler for each odor tested.
Entry Method – First received Via Online Entry
Click to Enter
Entry Requirements
A Qualified Entry is one that meets all the following criteria:
1. Complete entry during the specified entry time frame.
2. The Handler is a NACSW member for the 2024-2025 membership year (8/1/24- 7/31/25).
3. The Dog is registered with the NACSW.
4. Dogs participating in an Odor Recognition Test (ORT) must be at least six months of age.
For Exhibit Only Dogs (FEO): Dogs running FEO are not eligible to receive titles. FEO results will not be included in the posted ORT results. If space remains after all qualified entries are accommodated on February 10, 2025, then we will offer spaces for those who wish to run a dog (FEO). Dogs may only run FEO in odors that they are not already registered for.
For information on how to register or become a member go to www.NACSW.net
Trial Eligibility and ORTs
The ORT Title must be earned at least 14 days before a trial opening date to be eligible for the first draw period.
All odors must be passed in order to earn the ORT title. It is not required that they all be passed at the same test.
Notification
Acknowledgement of entry acceptance/confirmation will be made by email when entries are processed for those handlers that provide an email address. Your payment receipt and notification is confirmation of your completed entry.
Basic Description of the Test
To successfully pass an ORT a dog must identify the location of the target odor and the handler must correctly call an “alert” within a two and a half minute time period. The Odor Recognition Test consists of a drill type exercise which requires 12 closed boxes typically set up in a pattern of two rows, spaced a minimum of 36” apart. The ORT is conducted on leash. Complete information can be obtained on the NACSW website. Handlers may test on all 3 odors at the same event.
All exhibitors should obtain and review a copy of the NACSW K9 NOSE WORK® RULE BOOK. You may get it from their website: www.NACSW.net
No dog will be given more than one space in the same odor test at a single event.
CANCELLATION POLICY
The following cancellation policy applies: For cancellation of entries on or before 5pm Central time February 1, 2025 – Full refund. For cancellation of entries after 5 pm February 1, 2025 – no refunds will be issued unless the space can be filled, in which case a refund will be issued minus a $5 processing fee.
All cancellations must be emailed to or Barb Cote at
Entry fees shall not be refunded if a dog or handler is absent, disqualified, or excused by the NACSW official or judge.
This cancellation and refund policy applies to handlers that must withdraw for any reason including but not limited to injury, illness, emergency, and personal or work-related reasons.
If the event cannot take place or be completed by reason of fire, civil disturbances, an Act of God, public emergency, or any other cause beyond the control of the event organizers, then the event host will make their best effort to provide partial refunds after recouping their expenses.
LOCATION DETAILS
ADA Site Specific Conditions
This test location is a training facility. The parking lot and pathways are paved. The test center has carpeting and matting. The test area is matted.
Due to unforeseen conditions, such as weather or change in availability of areas at the location, these conditions may be modified at the last minute.
Modeled after real-life detection work, NACSW trials are held in many different locations, with a variety of terrain, under varying weather conditions. Dogs and handlers need to be able to safely negotiate a variety of surfaces, including, but not limited to, tile, linoleum, carpeting, gravel, asphalt, uneven surfaces, and slippery footing. Handlers should be prepared to deal with a variety of weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain and snow. Trials frequently require covering extensive distances to get to and from the parking area to each of the search areas and generally require that this be done across natural, uneven surfaces. Handlers should be prepared for the physical demands and must be able to navigate the terrain with their dog accordingly. Handlers should expect to spend most of the day outside or in their vehicles as there are rarely indoor crating options at trials. Please be prepared for you and your canine partner to deal with all of these varying environmental challenges. Handlers should familiarize themselves with potential regional risks and health concerns that may affect themselves or their dogs. Handlers agree that they are entering this trial at their own risk.
Due to unforeseen conditions, such as weather or change in availability of areas at the location, the details below may need to be modified at the last minute.
Parking
The parking lot is paved with no shade available.
RV Parking
There is space for RVs to park in the competitor parking area during the test day. To reserve a space, you will need to contact the host after you receive a confirmation that you have received a space in the test. Email to reserve RV space. No overnight RV parking is available.
Running Vehicles or Generators in the parking lot
There is ample parking and we will have a separate parking area for those wishing to run their vehicles or generators during the day.
Reactive Dog Parking
There will not be reactive dog parking at this test.
Unentered Dogs
Unentered dogs must remain in the handler’s vehicle during the test day. There will be ample potty areas, but unentered dogs should not be allowed to “play”, exercise, or train on the event grounds.
Facility/Site Prohibitive Restrictions (e.g., smoking, firearms, alcohol, drugs, video)
Smoking is not allowed on this test site, including the use of e-cigarettes
Hotels
A list of area hotels and directions will be provided with entry confirmations.
DOG INFORMATION
Dog Policies
- All dogs must be on a 6’ leash at all times when not searching. NO flexi-leashes while not participating in a search.
- Reactive and/or spatially challenged dogs should wear a red bandana (to be provided by the dog’s handler) to help signal others that the dog needs extra space from other dogs.
- Dogs will be toileted in designated areas and handlers must pick-up and dispose of waste.
- Dogs and handlers must stay in designated areas to avoid contaminating search space, interrupting a search, or from viewing any part of the searching.
- Handlers should expect to keep their dogs confined in a crate or vehicle when not searching. The logistics of an event typically do not allow for dogs to hang out on leash in between searches. Handlers should plan to provide their own shade using canopies or shade cloths.
- Refer to location details (above) for information on unentered dogs.
Females in Season
Females in season will be allowed to run wearing “pants” at the very end of the day after all other dogs have tested. Handlers with females in season should park and toilet their dogs away from the other dogs if the location logistics permit. Handlers must email or Barb Cote at so plans can be made for the dog.
COVID-19 Information
Event attendees are required to adhere to the NACSW COVID–19 Event Guidelines and Rules
In addition to those guidelines the following changes and guidelines are in effect for this trial due to COVID-19. There are currently no restrictions for this area. If there are any significant changes or updates after the draw period, entrants will be notified via email. Handlers are responsible for staying up to date on any jurisdictional requirements for their home location as well as the trial location including any travel guidance.
ADA Requests
If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request accommodation(s), please email . Please include your name, ORT date, ORT host name, and your requested accommodation(s).
Rules
Complete rules are available at www.NACSW.net. It is the responsibility of each handler to read and understand the current NACSW™ Rule book prior to participating in a NACSW event.
Liability
By registering for the ORT Test, the handler hereby assumes all risks of, and responsibility for, accidents and/or damage to her/himself or to her/his property or to others, resulting from the actions of her/his dog. The handler expressly agree that the NACSW, For Your K9 and its assignees or any other person, or persons, of said groups, shall not be held liable personally, or collectively, under any circumstances, for injury, and/or damage to her/himself, for loss or injury to property, whether due to uncontrolled dogs or negligence of any member of said groups, or any other cause, or causes. The handler also agrees to assume all financial liability that may be incurred by the NACSW due to the actions of themselves or their dogs regardless of the cause.
Sportsmanship
All handlers and spectators are expected to follow the rules of the NACSW and demonstrate good sportsmanship. This includes making sure the hide placements are unknown to the handler prior to searching and kept secret from other handlers. Please do not discuss hide placement or any details of a dog’s performance that may provide information or clues to other handlers or may be overheard.
Results
During the odor re-sets, the official results sheet will be brought out to the parking area for handlers to photo or review. We recommend you verify your results on the official results sheet and let your host or judge know if you have any questions regarding your results.
Spectators
Space permitting, spectating will be allowed per ORT guidelines as outlined in the rule book. The ORT Certifying Official has the right to limit spectators at their discretion. ORT participants may have a friend or family member video/photograph their test. ORT participants may not video/photograph one another. Children under 18 must always be directly supervised by a parent/guardian.
Spectators are reminded that the hide placements must not be discussed nor should they speak with any handlers about what they saw until after the event is complete.
No dogs will be allowed in the spectator area. No unentered dogs with spectators are allowed at the event.
An adult accompanying a minor must be present during the searches.
Everyone at the test site must sign the waiver provided by the host and comply with all event requirements. Handlers are not allowed to watch the testing at any time.
Videotaping and Photography
If the site allows public video to be taken, handlers may wear visible head or chest cameras to record their searches. You will not be allowed extra time at the start line to get your camera functioning. Please be sure it is ready to go prior to arriving at the search area. At ORTs, handlers may bring a spectator to video or photograph their searches. Videos may not be made public until completion of the event day.
Emergency Veterinary Hospital
The closest emergency veterinarian to the event location:
Elmhurst Animal Care Center
850 S Riverside Drive, Elmhurst, IL, 60126
Questions
All Test related questions, contact and Barb Cote, or .
Details regarding check in time and briefing will be sent approximately 1 week before the ORT.