Fenzi Dog Sports Podcast E473: Michele Ellertson - "Building Nosework Skills Intentionally"
Aug 14, 2026
Michele Ellertson, nose work trainer and NACSW competitor who trains Belgian Tervurens and teaches webinars, talks about building nosework skills intentionally. She emphasizes watching subtle dog signals and designing practice to teach specific skills. Michele explains reading recognition to alert sequences and ways to prevent burnout while preserving confidence.
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Praline Forced Slow Patient Training
- Michele contrasts Cannoli with Praline, a sensitive two-year-old who required painfully slow progress and lots of emotional support.
- Praline taught Michele to slow down, scaffold confidence, and listen to each dog's emotional state.
Attitude Trumps Reps In Nose Work
- Michele shifted from speed-to-competition toward listening to subtle dog signals and preserving attitude above technical reps.
- She rewinds when she senses a change and prioritizes confident, happy hunting over quantity of training.
Search Is A Multi Stage Conversation
- Michele breaks the search into recognition, investigation, decision, and communication and says the dog's relationship with odor should be primary.
- Handler involvement should be minimal until the dog signals a clear decision.