SCENTWORK
Scent work harnesses your dog's natural ability and is a great activity for all ages and breed of dog, providing both physical and mental exercise. My own dogs participate in all of the scent work activities that I teach. In addition to the instructor courses I have completed, I am always expanding my knowledge via workshops, seminars and webinars.
Scent Detection: My first discovery of scent work was 2018 when I participated in scent detection classes with Rascal. In 2020, Cassey became my sniffing sidekick when I qualified as a World Scent Dog Association Instructor. Cassey also joined me for the UK Sniffer Dogs Bronze Instructor course. Since then I have gone on to complete the Silver and Gold UK Sniffer Dogs instructor courses. I am also certified as an Enigma Canine Trusted scent work instructor. In 2024, I became a Lantra-accredited scent work instructor with UK Scent Sport.
Trailing and Tracking: I first started mantrailing with my own dogs in 2020. I am an accredited instructor with Mantrailing Global. I am also an Enigma Canine Trusted Instructor for Mantrailing, Tracking (soft and hard surface) and Trail Hunt International. Additionally, I am a Bronze level Tracking UK Sniffer Dogs Instructor. I can very often be found out and about trailing with my own dogs for fun!
WEE DRAM - Beginners scent detection
This is our beginners scent detection course. We will teach your dog to recognise and search for the specific odour of Gun OIl. We will teach them to search and indicate when they find the scent. The course is 6 week in person and includes on-line theory learning,
All classes are on-lead and require no previous scentwork experience. Some venues are suitable for reactive dogs - please get in touch to discuss.
MALT MASTER - Intermediate scent detection
This is our intermediate scent detection course, the follow on to 'Wee Dram'. We introduce a new odour (truffle oil) and distraction odours. You will learn how to handle more advanced search patterns and proof your indication. All classes are on-lead. Participants are required to have completed the beginners scent work class. Some venues are suitable for reactive dogs - please get in touch to discuss.
THE CONNOISEUR - Advanced scent detection
This is our advanced scent detection course, the follow on to 'Malt Master'. We introduce advanced search techniques including inaccessible and moving hides. All classes are on-lead. Participants are required to have completed the intermediate scent work class. Some venues are suitable for reactive dogs - please get in touch to discuss.
TRACKING Workshops
Tracking is the ability to detect, recognise and follow a specific scent of ground disturbance.
We will teach the dogs to follow track scent, which is the disturbance in the ground left by the humans feet (footprints). Tracking dogs are taught to keep their nose down and follow the whole track, not just to get to the end, but to also indicate on any evidence (articles) dropped by the track layer, and find which route they took. Workshops are run throughout the year.
All classes are on-lead/long line and require no previous experience. Some classes are suitable for reactive dogs.
TARTAN TRAILING - Mantrailing
Teaching dogs to find people by following human scent. Mantrailing involves another person laying a trail for your dog, leaving behind an article with their unique scent on it. Your dog is then taught to take the scent from the article and follow the trail to find the person and their reward.
Mantrailing sessions are suitable for reactive dogs as each dog trails one at a time.
To start you need to complete an Intro session. After completion you can join any of the progression sessions as often as you like.
TRAIL HUNT INTERNATIONAL
Trail hunt is similar to mantrailing but we teach our dogs to follow and indicate on a specific odour rather than a human scent. This means that you can lay your own trails in locations and times convenient to you! You can work through the Trail Hunt International achievement awards or just come and have fun with your dog. Trail Hunt is suitable for reactive dogs.
To start you must complete a Trail Hunt Intro. After completion you can come to as many, or as few, progression sessions as you like.