- All breeds and mixed breeds are eligible to compete.

- Dogs must be at least 6 months old.

- Reactive dogs are welcome to compete, provided they can safely participate within the trial environment.

- Physically challenged dogs and handlers are welcome to compete, provided the dog is not showing signs of pain or discomfort.

- Female dogs in season may not compete.

- Your dog should have some scent detection/nosework experience and/or have completed Nosework Classes. Contact us if you're not sure what your dog is ready for and we'll be happy to help you register in searches that are best suited to your dog's skills.

The Premium tells you:

- Trial date and location

- What levels are being offered

- Entry deadline

- Pricing

- Download the Premium using the button on the left hand side of this page.

If you want your searches to count toward C-WAGS titles, you must register your dog with C-WAGS before entering the trial. You can register online here: https://c-wags.org/dog-registration/online-registration/

Not ready to register with C-WAGS? You can still participate by entering your runs as FEO (For Exhibition Only). FEO runs are a great way to try a C-WAGS trial, but they do not count toward titles or receive qualifying ribbons.

We're using an online registration app specifically designed to help us manage C-WAGS Scent Trials.

If you're not entering as FEO, you'll want to register your dog with C-WAGS first to get your dog's registration number. You can do this here: https://c-wags.org/dog-registration/online-registration/

Once you have your dog's registration number, or if you'd like to participate just for fun (FEO), you can register for the trial online here: https://cwagstrialmanagement.vercel.app/entries/727c4cf7-7b35-4900-8246-f18d0f2de8d0

After you have submitted your entry, please send your $20 per run/search entry fee by e-transfer to [email protected]. Please include “C-WAGS Scent Trial” in the e-transfer notes.

Each search is $20. For example: if you're entering both Patrol 1 Searches, then you would pay $40.

If you're entering all searches (2 x Patrol 1 Searches, 2 x Detective 2 Searches, 2 x Ranger 1 Searches), you would pay $120.

You can choose to enter as many searches in as many classes as you like.

We highly recommend reading the rules so you can get the full picture of what Levels and Classes are offered in C-WAGS here: https://c-wags.org/programs/scent/

We are currently offering :

- Scent Patrol 1 (2 runs/searches)

- Scent Detective 2 (2 runs/searches)

- Ranger 1 (2 runs/searches)

You do not need to earn previous titles before entering these levels. Teams may begin their C-WAGS Scent journey in Patrol 1, Detective 2, or Ranger 1 and may enter both levels concurrently.

One Scent · Box Search

Scent Patrol 1 is a straightforward introduction to competition scent work. Your dog will search 9–10 boxes to locate one hidden scent, selected by the judge: Birch or Cypress.

The boxes are arranged on the ground, at least 2 feet apart, within a search area of 300–900 square feet.

Search Time: 1 minute 30 seconds

Two Scents · Object Search

Detective 2 takes the search beyond boxes! Your dog will work around a setup of tables, chairs/stools, and other objects to locate two different hidden scents.

The judge will select from Birch, Cypress, or Clove Bud. The search includes 9–10 objects, with hides placed no higher than 18 inches.

At least one hide will be located under the seat of a chair, and another will be on or in an object. The two scents will be at least 10 feet apart.

Search Time: 2 minutes 30 seconds

One Scent · Independent Distance Searching

Ranger 1 gives your dog the opportunity to range out and work independently, away from the handler.

Your dog will search 8 boxes arranged in a single row, looking for one hidden scent selected by the judge: Birch or Cypress.

The boxes will be placed 2–4 feet apart and approximately 7–8 feet away from the handler. The hide will be at ground level.

Search Time: 1 minute 30 seconds

Teams earning a qualifying score will receive a C-WAGS qualifying flat ribbon. FEO runs do not receive ribbons or count toward titles. C-WAGS does not award placement ribbons (1st, 2nd, 3rd etc.).

To earn a C-WAGS scent title, the team must PASS four searches of that Level class under at least two different judges.

Our first Fall 2026 Trial is being judged by Kelly Ladouceur of Calgary, AB. A big thanks to Kelly for this!

Michelle Wieser (owner of Wise Canine) is an approved judge for the levels being offered. We are also working with experienced scent detection teams to increase the number of judges within Whitehorse.

We plan to run a winter 2026/2027 trial where teams will have the opportunity to complete their titles with Michelle (and potentially others) as the judges.

- Birch

- Anise

- Clove

- Cypress

- Your dog (on leash!)

- Water bowl

- Treats for your dog

- Poop bags

- Crating supplies for your vehicle

- Easy to slip on and off shoes, as outdoor shoes are not permitted in the training facility

- Positive attitude and good sportsmanship

When you are not in the search area or actively pottying your dog, please keep your dog in your vehicle. Bring anything you and your dog will need to stay comfortable while waiting.

For everyone's safety:

- Dogs are not permitted loose in the parking lot or tied to vehicles.

- No off-leash dogs are permitted on the property or potty area.

- Please prevent all dog-to-dog contact.

- Dogs must be kept a minimum of 15 feet apart at all times.

- Dogs displaying aggressive behaviour that threatens the safety of people or dogs may be required to leave the property.

- Children must be supervised by a parent or guardian who is not competing.

Please do not potty your dog on the property.

For a potty break, you can walk through the alley behind the facility into the forested area behind the school.

Please pick up after your dog and dispose of waste in the City of Whitehorse garbage can at the front of the parking lot or the dumpster located closest to the old bowling alley (there are 2 dumpsters, use the dumpster on the right).

Thank you for helping us keep the trial area clean and comfortable for everyone!

- At or before 5:00 pm

- Check in

- Get your dog settled

- Review the run order

- Ask any last-minute questions

- Listen to the judges briefing

No viewing the search area until after you've run (or if you're not entered in that class). Enter the space quietly and between searches.

Do NOT discuss runs until all dogs in that class have finished. Universal trial courtesy!

Made a Mistake? Keep Going!

C-WAGS allows one fault per search. Most faults are simply about keeping the search fair and consistent for every team — so focus on your dog, keep working, and have fun!

What Can Earn a Fault?

Here are the most common things that can result in a fault:

- Dropping food or a toy in the search area. Anything dropped must be removed.

- Your dog stops working — including checking out or getting the zoomies. You can encourage them to get back to work. If necessary, you may reconnect their leash once and continue searching.

- Guiding or pulling your dog by their collar, harness, or leash during the search. Gentle guidance is only permitted before/after the search or immediately after a correct find.

- Intimidating your dog or using handling that causes them to show signs of stress.

- Calling an incorrect alert. If you tell the judge your dog has found a hide and you're wrong, you'll receive a fault and be asked to move on.

- Calling the same incorrect hide again does not result in another fault.

- Calling a correct hide twice does not result in a fault — the judge will simply let you know you've already called it.

- Significantly disturbing the search area, such as:

- Picking up or moving containers/objects

- Touching containers or objects

- Excessive pawing that damages something

- Moving objects or distractors more than a few inches

- Telling the judge where the scent is by verbally naming the location.

- Trying to help your dog pinpoint the hide after you've called “Alert” if the judge asks you to clarify

where the hide is.

- Crossing the distance line in Scent Ranger beyond the amount allowed.

- Letting your leash drag and disrupt items in the search area.

You Can Reward Your Dog!

Yes, you can reward your dog during the search! Food, petting, and toys are all allowed.

A few important rules:

- Food and toys can be carried in your hand, pocket, or treat pouch.

- Toys cannot be thrown or placed on the ground.

- The toy must remain in contact with you.

- No squeaky toys.

- You can reward at the hide, but try to deliver food beside the container/item rather than directly on top of it.

One More Important Rule: No Helping From the Sidelines

People watching the search cannot give you information or hints about the search area or hide locations. Details of the search must remain secret until the class is finished. Interference, helping, or “double handling” that appears to assist a team can result in a Non-Qualifying score.

You can enter multiple dogs, but the same handler cannot run two dogs in the same class. Since we are not doing resets for this trial, a handler who runs the first dog would know where the hides are for their second dog.

If you'd like to enter two dogs, you can:

Enter your dogs in different classes (for example, Dog A in Scent Patrol and Dog B in Scent Detective) or different rounds (for example, Dog A in Scent Patrol Round 1, and Dog B in Scent Patrol Round 2). You can also have another handler run one of your dogs.

This keeps the searches fair and ensures every team gets to search without knowing where the hides are.