All classes are kept to a small size with a maximum of 4 dogs per class. The courses are run over 6 weeks and are approximately 50 mins long. Each course comes with a scent pack, homework activities and ongoing support to help your dog succeed.
Bronze Level
- Open to all dogs and owners
- Scent recognition (Red Kong)
- Learn new search techniques
- Watch your dog indicate where the scent is
Our Bronze Level Classes are designed to introduce your dog to the foundations of scent detection. We introduce your dog to the scent of red Kong. We choose red, as this is not in the dog's colour spectrum and as the course progresses they will be searching for tiny pieces of Kong and therefore relying on their noses to find it. Your dog will begin to form a positive association with the scent, building up a strong scent recognition. Your dog will also learn a systematic approach to searching by using different equipment, surfaces and environments. You will learn to recognise the dog's body language for when they have found the scent with the emphasis at this stage on active indications. We focus on positive reinforcement techniques to create a fun and rewarding learning environment, making sure every session is engaging and beneficial.
Silver Level
- 2 NEW scents of gun oil and catnip
- NEW sit or freeze indication
- NEW Active search
Our Silver Level Classes introduce your dog to 2 more odours: gun oil and catnip. Building on techniques already established in the beginners level, we work on strengthening their indications by introducing a sit or freeze into their training. We also add a new an active search, where the dogs go out to find a scented article and bring it back to you. We continue training the dogs to work with different objects and in different environments building resilience and confidence, both with dogs and their handlers. We work closely with you to ensure the strategies we teach in classes are implemented at home, promoting long term success.
Gold Level
- NEW indication and New Scent (Truffle oil)
- NEW searches - water, people, inaccessible hides
- IMPROVING on scent recognition, indication training and search techniques.
The Gold Level Scent Detection course is for those who have completed the Bronze and Silver Level courses. We add the scent of Truffle oil to the the dog's scent library and build on a strong odour recognition to all the scents they have previously worked on. We introduce your dog to inaccessible hides: odours which are contained or at a height out of reach to your dog therefore prompting a new indication. The dogs will also learn to indicate on odours hidden in water and people searches widening their search techniques and continuing to build confidence and resilience. They will continue their training with searches using a variety of objects and in different environments and on multiple surfaces.
“We absolutely loved it (especially my dog!!!) Melissa is a great instructor and really gets the best out of your dog, with clear progression and aims. It was really lovely to receive photos of Bunty in action after each session, and ideas of how to do scent work at home. We are now going on to the Silver Award.
Thoroughly recommended! "
J W Falmouth