Puppy Scentwork

Don't wait until it's too late! Get scentwork right from the start to prevent problems, build a strong relationship and teach your pup how to have fun learning.

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Puppy scentwork is specifically designed to give you the skills to teach your puppy to sniff out a specific scent for fun. By getting the foundations correct right from the start of training, you will prevent problems and sessions will be clear and successful. Teaching your puppy to listen, pay attention, respond to you and most importantly have fun with you will lay the foundations for a great, lifelong relationship together. Scentwork helps your puppy overcome fears, such as walking past traffic, being around children and other animals and cope in new environments, such as the veterinary practice or the park. And is wonderful for those scary off lead times when you are teaching your pup to give you attention, come back when called and to stay near you. Having the confidence to know how to play the scentwork game can give you confidence which in turn gives your puppy confidence. Win-win!

In this course I take you through how to introduce a scented article to your pup, give puppy specific training tips and set you off on your starter searches. Next step searches show you how to introduce new areas for your puppy to search, both indoors and outdoors. Plus I show you how to start some directed searches with your pup. A gentle introduction to building concentration and to using the handler to make the search more efficient and productive.

I round this course off with the science of how puppies use scent, and how and when it develops. Lots of fascinating insights into just how key scent is for our dogs right from the start.

On completion you will receive a graduation certificate that you can show off to your friends and family.


Scentwork is the perfect tool to prevent problems before they start. Once they have learned to sniff, your puppy will choose to play with you, respond to you and engage with you - and that will make your heart sing!

This is a Core Course, Starter level so your puppy doesn't need any prior training.

So let's get started!

Get started now!



Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 14 days and we will give you a full refund.
Do I receive a certificate when I complete the course?
Yes!
Is my puppy too young to learn to sniff now?
Your new puppy will be learning form the instant you bring her home. It would be foolish not to begin teaching something so useful as scentwork right form the start. The training is designed so that there is no pressure on the pup, just the opportunity to 'play' (learn) Give it a try, your puppy will be so happy!

Your Instructor


Pam Mackinnon
Pam Mackinnon
As a professional dog trainer for 30+ years, I have used scentwork to help thousands of dogs work with their owners to be more attentive, less reactive, more relaxed, less agitated. As a universal skill that can be learned by all dogs and all owners, the flexibility, fast results and good old fashioned fun found in scentwork led me to form Talking Dogs Scentwork® in 2011.

Since then I've been working hard to keep up with demand, such is the interest in scentwork. I work hard to stay at the forefront of my profession, staying creative, pushing boundaries and confounding expectations of what pet dogs can do. As the first national provider of scentwork training for non-selected (pet) dogs in Great Britain, TDS has quickly grown into the go-to scentwork training provider, with the TDS Detector Dog manual proving more popular than I could have ever imagined, selling well all over the world, but particularly in the UK, Europe and USA. I specialise in teaching all breed types, all ages, all abilities (physical, mental and emotional) Combining my years as a professional drug detector dog handler for HM Customs with my experience as a pet dog training and behaviour consultant, I tailor my teaching to dogs who don't have jobs, those who have been selected as companions rather than tools of the trade.

I work full time teaching Talking Dogs Scentwork® at workshops. online, at conferences and with major organisations, including Dogs Trust, Puppy School, Victoria Stilwell and the prestigious Woof! Conference.

Some of my working highlights include:

  • Drug Detector Dog Handler with HM Customs & Excise
  • Sirius Puppy Trainer in association with Dr. Ian Dunbar
  • Assistance Dog Trainer for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People
  • Behaviourist for Wood Green Animal Shelters
  • Founding & running Talking Dogs Scentwork®, part of Talking Dogs Ltd.
  • Creating TD Rally® - a sport for pet dogs & their people