What is Scent Work?

Scent work is a fun and mentally enriching activity where dogs learn to locate a specific scent — much like detection dogs working in real-world scenarios. It taps into your dog’s natural sniffing instincts and gives them a job they truly enjoy.

Unlike obedience or agility, scent work allows dogs to lead the process, which can be incredibly empowering for them — especially for shy, anxious, or reactive dogs. It’s suitable for all breeds, ages, and experience levels.

Benefits of Scent Work:

  • 🧠 Mental stimulation: Helps tire out your dog in a healthy, non-physical way

  • 🐾 Confidence building: Especially helpful for nervous or reactive dogs

  • 🧘 Focus and calm: Great for channeling excess energy into purposeful work

  • 🐶 Stronger bond: Enhances teamwork and communication between you and your dog

  • 🎯 Accessible for all: No previous training needed — every dog can succeed

Scent Work Beginner Class

Our 5-week beginner course is the perfect starting point for anyone new to scent work. You'll learn how to introduce your dog to a target scent (birch) and how to build basic search skills using positive reinforcement and fun games.

Course Details:

  • 📅 Duration: 5 weekly sessions

  • 🐕 Who it's for: Dogs of all breeds, sizes, and ages

  • 👥 Class size: Small groups to ensure individual attention

  • 🎓 Skills covered: Introducing odour, simple search setups, and reading your dog’s signals

By the end of the course, your dog will be able to search for and locate scent containers with birch odour. You'll walk away with the knowledge and confidence to continue training at home — or to progress to our more advanced scent work classes.

Scent Work Class Intermediate Class

Take Your Dog’s Nose to the Next Level!

Ready to level up your dog’s scent detection skills? Our 5 week Intermediate Scent Work Course is designed for dogs that have completed the 5-week Beginner course or equivalent experience. If your dog can confidently search and identify birch, you’re ready to join!

In this dynamic and engaging course, we’ll help you build on your foundation and get trial-ready for the ANKC Novice level. You'll practice a variety of search types including:

  • Exterior searches

  • Container searches

  • Vehicle searches

As the course progresses, we’ll simulate real trial scenarios so you and your dog know exactly what to expect when you enter the ring.

You’ll also learn to fine-tune your dog’s alert behavior—ensuring you can confidently read the moment they find a hide and reward them with perfect timing. We’ll introduce multiple hides per search, teaching your dog how to stay focused and keep hunting.

And yes—we're adding a new scent! Your dog will be introduced to anise, and most pick it up in just one session. You’ll receive anise-scented q-tips and mini hides to support your practice at home.

Join us for a course that’s not only skill-building but also a whole lot of fun for you and your dog!