Jen Johnson started working with Paws Plus in 2008 working with the Tracking program. The joy of watching dogs identify a scent and follow it to the end was fascinating to Jen and gave her the spark to delve into the world of canine scenting sports.
Jen became a K9 Nose Work fan after taking her first class with Shadow, her black lab, in 2010. Shadow was environmentally fearful and K9 Nose Work changed her life. She went from being shy and trembling to an outgoing searcher. Seeing the positive changes in Shadow’s life, Jen began teaching K9 Nose Work classes in the Richmond, VA area with her parents, Jim and Janie Simmons. Through Paws Plus Training, LLC, Jen works with students of all levels to discover and enhance the amazing scenting abilities of dogs. Jen enjoys watching dogs come out of their shell while participating in Nose Work and watching the bonds develop between dogs and their handlers.
Jen graduated from James Madison University and Penn State University, but left the health care field to work with dogs full-time in 2009. She and Shadow earned the Elite Championship in 2019, and Ruby earned her Elite Championship in 2021. She and Mango are working on their Elite Championship title and Kiwi is beginning her NW3 journey.
Jen has been a Certified Nose Work Instructor (CNWI) since 2011. Together with Janie and Jim, she has helped host more than 50 trial days in Virginia and volunteered at countless trials. She is a NACSW Score Room Lead. In addition, Jen is a Certifying Official and Judge for NACSW, and she is a judge for all levels for AKC Scent Work. She enjoys setting level appropriate challenges for teams and watching teams across the country solve odor problems. In 2021, she became a Supervising Certifying Official and helps train certifying officials for NACSW.
Jen resides near Richmond, Virginia and Dunedin, Florida with her husband, son, and daughter. She currently trains Mango and Kiwi in Nose Work and Tracking. She loves watching dogs and their human partners bond and enriching the lives of dogs.
SEMINAR TOPICS INCLUDE
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Reading the dog ​​
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Covering the area​​​​​
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Mental management ​​​​​
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Skill building
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Working Weekend - $275*
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Auditing Weekend - $150
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Single Day Auditing -$100
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* Working Weekend after 11/20 - $325
Includes Breakfast and Lunch
Reading the Dog
Learn to recognize the subtle behavioral shifts that show when a dog is in odor, problem‑solving, or needing support. This block focuses on pace changes, posture, breathing, and commitment so handlers can confidently interpret their dog throughout the search.
Covering the Area
Develop systematic, efficient search patterns for any environment. Teams practice patterning, environmental awareness, and handler guidance that supports independence while ensuring complete and thorough area coverage.
Mental Management
Build calm, focused teamwork under pressure. Handlers learn strategies for staying mentally steady, while dogs practice emotional resilience and confidence in challenging search scenarios. The emphasis is clarity, composure, and connection.
Skill Building
Hands‑on exercises that strengthen core scentwork abilities: odor obedience, hide commitment, problem solving, environmental comfort, and clear indications. Teams progress through targeted drills that build reliability and motivation.