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Freya came away with another medal to add to her collection. But we missed one hide in the exterior search and, looking back at that search afterwards, I think the reason we missed it had far more to do with my handling than Freya's ability to find it.

Dog training can be simple without being simplistic. The hard part is observing the dog in front of you, identifying what matters and changing the right thing.

The best trainers make it look easy, they seem to know immediately what they are going to do next.

When I set up a training session, I know the principle I am trying to teach. The dog knows none of that.

Every now and then I find myself questioning something I’ve taken for granted for years, did we ever actually teach the search?

What happens once the dog genuinely knows the target odour?

We came away with a full sweep of finds, finally putting the selection box issues behind us. That result meant a lot. But the standout moment of the day was the Interior Search, where we were awarded a Synergy Award.

Freya and I entered our first National Nosework Association trial this week. We won. As awesome as that feels, it wasn’t the biggest takeaway from the day.

When odour is present, it overrides everything.

I learned to train dogs in the Army, but I became a trainer when I left.

Hi, I’m Tom — trainer, coach, consultant, and the person behind ScentMasters UK. I set up ScentMasters because I believe Scentwork deserves more than shortcuts and surface-level success. Whether you’re working towards your first Scentwork Competition, handling in an operational role, or simply want to give your dog the challenge and enrichment they were born for — Scentwork offers something truly special. Done well, it builds confidence, clarity, and connection between dog an