Dogs have an exceptional sense of smell, far superior to ours. They can be trained to detect a huge array of odours, from narcotics and explosives, to cash and human illnesses, right the way through to endangered wildlife and plant species for conservation work. A dog’s sense of smell really is their super power.

All dogs have the ability to be trained to detect a specific odour. We build strong foundations in their motivation and love for the game, finding the right reward and ensuring proper conditioning of the target odour. From here, with a trained indication and regular revisiting of the foundations, the sky’s the limit.

For scent detection as a sport we train the dogs on odours such as Kong, catnip or gun oil. Scent detection is suitable for puppies to senior dogs, with no lower or upper age limit to take part. Working the dogs one at a time means all dogs are welcome.

This is a sport that you can do just for fun, or if you have a competitive side you can take part in competitions and trials to put your skills to the test as a team. Whilst each organisation has slightly different criteria for their competitions or trials, our aim with the training is to give you and your dog the best foundations to work from, enabling you to compete with any organisation if you wish to. We also run fun themed sessions and workshops at different locations to really test your skills together as a team.

Lucy enjoys training in a way that provides the dogs with a variety of searches and search areas, favouring a more real life ‘operational’ style.

Lucy is a qualified instructor with United Canine Scent Sport (prev. UK Scent Sport) and Scent Work UK, regularly trains her own dogs, and enjoys continuing her learning with operational handlers such as Kat Janczur (Canine Detection Solutions) and Wesley Visscher (Scent Imprint for Dogs).