Our Scentwork Foundations course consists of six in-person classes, with an additional one-hour online session two weeks before the course begins. It is designed to teach you and your dog the foundations of nose work. Suitable for dogs with little to no formal training experience, and equally effective for refreshing or retraining a more experienced dog. Whether your dog is a puppy, adolescent, or adult, with you all their life or a recent rescue, our specially designed sessions give you both the chance to experience the joy and enrichment of Scentwork.
Before the Course Begins — Online Introduction Session
Two weeks before the first class, all participants will join a one-hour online session on Sunday 26th April. This session covers odour handling, kit, and how to introduce your dog to their target odour correctly. You'll then have two weeks to work on that conditioning at home before the first class, so you arrive on day one with a dog who is already building a positive association with their scent.
To get the full benefit of this session, a kit box needs to be in place beforehand. We can provide one at an additional charge, available for collection in Inverurie, or you can source your own from the kit list we'll supply.
What to Expect in Class
Each session has both a theory and a practical element, covering not just the how but the why of Scentwork. Your dog will work practically once per class session, and this is intentional. Dogs learn through repetition spread over time, not through repeated drilling in a single sitting. The real progress happens between classes, and the course schedule is designed with this in mind, including a longer gap early on to give you and your dog plenty of time to consolidate before moving forward.
What You'll Both Gain
By the end of the course, your dog will have a strong positive association with their target odour, and you'll have a solid understanding of scent theory, odour handling, and how to set appropriate searches and read your dog effectively when they're working.
Your Commitment Outside of Class
Homework assignments are a core part of this course. Consistent practice between sessions is essential, and without it both you and your dog will find it difficult to advance.