Scentwork Foundations: Level 1

ENROLMENT OPENS EARLY 2026
This course runs twice in 2026:

• February 15, 2026
• September 15, 2026

To join the waitlist, please contact us to reserve your place.

This six-week course is designed to build a clear, thoughtful foundation in scentwork for both dog and handler. Level 1 is not about rushing toward trial skills. It’s about understanding odor, learning how your dog searches, and developing clean mechanics that will support everything you do later.

We start at the beginning: how odor is prepared, how searches are set up, and how to build true hunt drive without creating confusion, frustration, or handler dependence. You’ll learn how to observe and interpret your dog’s behavior during the search, support problem-solving, and shape a clear search picture from the dog’s point of view.

All teams begin on the same page, regardless of prior experience. This allows me to understand how you and your dog work together and ensures that the feedback you receive is relevant, contextual, and meaningful.

Each week, you’ll receive up to 6 minutes of individualized video feedback, focused on your dog, your handling, and your training setup. This is where the real learning happens, not just what to train, but why.

A complete scent kit is included and shipped prior to the start of the course so you can begin imprinting and training immediately.

This course focuses on:

• Odor preparation and clean imprinting
• Setting searches that support learning and confidence
• Building hunt drive without over-handling
• Understanding your dog’s search strategy and decision-making
• Establishing foundations that support future training and trial work

Level 1 is suitable for dogs new to scentwork, as well as experienced teams looking to clean up foundations, clarify communication, or reset their training picture.