Scentwork Foundations

What do we cover? 

This foundation course teaches you and your dog the foundational skills to work together in searches. This includes how to search on cue and end a search safely, to search for a defined odour, to ask for help and to indicate where a find is. 

These foundations help us to build up your dog's searching skills in line with Scentwork UK's progression framework. Whether you want to build your searching skills for the joy of the activity itself or aim to engage in competition work, this course lays the groundwork for your dog-handler team. 

From here we invite dog-handler teams to join our Sniffers club where we explore our searching skills over different search environments and search articles.

We always follow scientifically verified, aversion free training and behaviour techniques. There are no harsh methods or tools throughout. At all times we follow the code of ethics of both the APDT and IMDT.

Your notes for each session will be sent to you via email after the class. 

Preparing for your course

There are a few things to bring with you to your course.  

• Training treats
• Comfortable 2-point harness
• Fixed length leash
• A non-squeaky toy your dog likes
• Water & a bowl to drink from
• Towels for drying off
• Mat or blanket for your dog to sit on
• An extra collar or scenting harness for context

Please try to avoid feeding your dog for 2 hours before class unless they have a medical condition that requires more frequent food. 

Please note that we do not permit any tools in class that are aversive in nature, this includes: choke chains; slip leads; martingales; electric collars; no-pull harnesses (harnesses that get tighter when pulled); prong collars; or retractable leashes.