Events
Nose Work Weekend with Dana Zinn, CPDT-KA
Spend the weekend learning alongside Dana Zinn in a highly interactive, hands-on seminar packed with searching, coaching, troubleshooting, and real-time problem solving.
April 10-12, 2026
Tucker, GA
Dog- Driven Searching Collective -
Saturday, April 11, 2026- Sunday, April 12, 2026
9 am - 5 pm with one hour lunch break
Saturday and Sunday will be two full, jam-packed days of learning and hands-on work. This is not a sit-down, lecture-style seminar. Instead, the weekend is designed as an immersive working format focused on searching, coaching, troubleshooting a wide variety of odor problems, and real-time Q&A.
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We will offer full-weekend audit positions, and coaching spots will be filled via random draw.
Audit participants will have a front-row seat to the learning process—watching a variety of dog-handler teams work through different search challenges, listening to detailed coaching, and asking questions throughout the day. Auditors will benefit from seeing multiple approaches, problem-solving styles, and dogs at different stages.
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Each day will also feature 8 unique working handlers. Handlers may work one dog per search, but may rotate dogs between different searches. This structure gives working teams the opportunity to:
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Work multiple dogs across a variety of search scenarios
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Experience different problem types
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Receive individualized feedback from Dana
Working spots will receive substantial searching time, making this an excellent opportunity for teams looking to deepen skills, refine handling, and gain meaningful experience in a supportive, learning-focused environment.
Weekend Sign Ups: We will have a maximum entry of 35 people. This includes 8 working spots and 27 audit spots. Registration will remain open until spots fill. After registration is full, it will close and we will open a waitlist up to 8 people.
2/23/26- Registration opens
3/5/26- Refund notification deadline
3/16/26 - Working draw announced
Registration Opens: February 23rd, 2026 at 6PM EST. Full weekend auditing is $200.
Registration form will include a box to select that you want to enter the draw for a working spot. You can choose a working day preference, but there is no guarantee you will receive the preferred, so please plan on full weekend attendance.
Working Draw: Working draw will be announced March 16th. At this time participants who won the draw will be notified via email and will be sent a paypal invoice for an additional $150. Participants will have 48 hours to submit payment for the invoice to secure their working spot. If no payment is received within 48 hours then the working spot will be forfeited and be given to the next in line.
Refunds: Due to the special nature of events like this, Pawsitive Futures must be notified via email (or website contact form) five weeks prior to the event start date (March 5th, 2026) to receive a refund. If notice is given later than this date then, your sessions will be lost and no refund or transfer will be granted.
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​On Site Amenities: This event will be held at a location in Tucker, GA with parking available. We will have air conditioning / heating, bathrooms, and some light beverages and snacks. We do recommend bringing your own lunch or planning for a local delivery / restaurant pick up.
Please Note: Working dogs must be able to comfortably work around other people and dogs. Dog-reactive or human-reactive dogs are not suitable for this event's working spots. Working dogs will need to be comfortable crating in the car when they are not working. Please be respectful of our space and clean up after your pet.
Cancellation Policy: Due to the special nature of events, Pawsitive Futures must be notified via email (or website contact form) by 3/5/2026 to receive a refund. If notice is given later than this date then, your sessions will be lost and no refund or transfer will be granted.
About Dana Zinn, CPDT-KA
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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 Nose Work; not only for her own dogs, but for the many dogs in need of a "job" to do.
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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. She is proud to have been a founding faculty member, certifying official, and judge for sanctioned NACSW trials across the country. She was also a Supervising Certifying Official, which means she was involved in the training of new COs for NACSW.
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In regard to Nose Work, her learning never stops as she continues to teach classes, instruct at camps, compete in trials, and conduct workshops and webinars. One of her proudest moments was placing first in the 2014 NACSW National Invitational with Kudos, her Belgian Tervuren.
Dana has participated in a variety of canine activities such as obedience, herding, agility and of course Nose Work. Dana moved from California with her family to Golden, Colorado in 2008 and brought the sport of Nose Work with her.
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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.
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Dana is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and was certified as a professional dog trainer in 2005 by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT).
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Dana currently shares her life with her wonderful husband Ken, two beautiful children Jessica & Ben, as well as her best learning tools: her canine partners Winnie and Sunny, both Labrador Retrievers.
Bio curtesy of Zinn Dog Training (https://zinndogtraining.com/about-dana).