Here at Don Dog, we are firm believers in giving a dog a job; hence why the majority of our dogs are working dogs!

However, your dog doesn't have to be operational to have a job or a hobby. It is important that pet dogs are also enriched both physically and mentally and that's where scent detection comes in.

Our UK Sniffer Dogs scent detection course for beginners is the perfect course for pet dogs. Any dog can do it... from puppies to seniors!

The benefits are huge!

Encourages calm & focus
Builds relationship
Increases confidence
Improves problem solving skills
Reduces arousal levels & trigger stacking
Reduces stress
Reduces freelance hunting
Can be done anywhere, indoors or out

Suitable for dogs of any age, breed and activity level, our Bronze course for beginners will introduce you to the world of scent detection in our fun and engaging group classes usually over the course of three or four weeks. They will provide both physical and mental exercise and promote calm, focused & positive thinking.

We will explore Scent ID (KONG), how to build a freeze indication and complete a variety of searches on pipes, chairs, bags, vehicles and novel environments.

You will need to purchase a medium sized classic red KONG prior to the course and ideally start feeding your dog food and treats in the KONG every day during the week leading up to your course.

Includes a starter scent kit for you to use at home and a certificate on completion of the course.

On completion of the bronze course, you will be able to compete in UK Sniffer Dogs trials all over the UK if you are feeling competitive! We aim to host a trial here at Don Dog at least once a year.

Our next 4 week course will be starting on Saturday 7th March @ 11am

UKSD Bronze Course £100

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UK Sniffer Dogs Scent Detection Bronze / Beginners Course

Scent Club

Once you have completed your bronze beginners course, you are able to progress your dog's scent detection skills at our scent club.

Our fortnightly 1 hour sessions are designed to work on your handling skills and your dog's commitment to odour when difficulty is increased and distractions are added. We will work on different searches, search patterns, indication improvement and have fun along the way with themed searches throughout the year.

Sessions will be run by Becky, our UK Sniffer Dogs Instructor or Gareth, both operational Drugs Detection Dog Handlers.

We encourage you to purchase the UK Sniffer Dogs Continuation booklet for £10 and work through the six levels at your own pace. Each skill will be signed off by ourselves and once each level is completed, you will receive a UK Sniffer Dogs certificate to mark your dog's superb achievement and add to your collection!

It doesn't end there though... we will then introduce you to more operational style searches with systematic searching of both people and venues.

Bringing you real-world experience from our work in the field and providing you with a unique learning opportunity, we aim to offer practical insights into the world of scent detection which will enrich your learning experience.

Continuing to work on the strong partnership between handler and dog is crucial for successful scent detection operations, therefore, you will continue to interpret your dog's signals and cues, manage search areas efficiently, and maintain a positive and motivated team dynamic.

Enjoy the experience and the bond it will create between you and your canine companion!

When:

Our 2026 scent club will be starting on Saturday 14th February!

Saturday afternoons 1:30pm - 2:30pm (Fortnightly)

Per session: £20

Prepay for 4 sessions: £60

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1:1 UKSD Bronze Course

Here at Don Dog, we don't want any dog to miss out on the amazing benefits of scent work. So if for whatever reason you are unable to commit to a scheduled group class, why not book our 1:1 course, which allows greater flexibility to work around your schedule.

Whilst we have welcomed many reactive dogs to our scent detection classes and often use scent work as part of the training plan for many reactive dogs, we understand that some dogs and owners would prefer to learn either in the comfort of their own home or at our training facility but without the distraction of other people and dogs. Therefore, our 1:1 option could be the perfect solution.

Suitable for dogs of any age, breed and activity level, our Bronze course for beginners will introduce you to the world of scent detection in our fun and engaging 1:1 classes. They will provide both physical and mental exercise and promote calm, focused & positive thinking.

We will explore Scent ID (KONG), how to build a freeze indication and complete a variety of searches on pipes, chairs, bags, vehicles and novel environments.

Course duration: 3 weeks (Each session is 1 hour)

Location: Either in your home or at our training field.

You will need to purchase a medium sized classic red KONG prior to the course and ideally start feeding your dog food and treats in the KONG every day during the week leading up to your course.

Includes a starter scent kit for you to use at home and a certificate on completion of the course.

On completion of the bronze course, you will be able to compete in UK Sniffer Dogs trials all over the UK if you are feeling competitive! We aim to host a trial here at Don Dog at least once a year.

1:1 Bronze (Beginners) Course £120

Please contact us to book.

Super sniffing spaniel at UK Dog Sport taster session

UK Sniffer Dogs Taster Session

Occasionally, we run UK Sniffer Dogs Taster sessions, which are a fun-filled hour, giving you a glimpse into the world of scent detection for pet dogs.

They are the perfect opportunity if you are unsure about committing to a full course without knowing a little more about what's involved.

You'll learn about some of the benefits of scent work, some interesting facts and we play some scent games, which you can do at home.

It gives you the chance to meet your instructor and ask any questions about the beginner's course.

Open to all dogs and handlers. No experience is necessary. All you need is a classic RED KONG and lots of treats.

Unfortunately, you have just missed our last taster session!

Keep an eye out on our social media pages and right here for the date of our next taster session to be announced later in the year.

Taster session £20

We'll even give you £10 cashback if you enjoy it and decide to book onto one of our UK Sniffer Dogs bronze beginners course in 2026. (Cashback given on the bronze course).

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