This comprehensive course is designed for dog owners who have completed our Intro to Scent Work course or already enjoy playing basic scent games and are ready to take their skills to the next level. Foundations of Scent Detection bridges the gap between playful searching and structured scent work, giving you the tools and techniques to train a reliable, confident, and accurate detection dog.

Structured across four progressive modules, this course helps you develop a clear indication behaviour, refine your handling skills, and introduce more complex search environments and distractions. You'll learn how to shape reliable alert behaviours, build strong search patterns, understand scent movement, and troubleshoot common challenges—all while keeping the training fun and engaging for both you and your dog.

Whether you're training for fun, enrichment, or preparing for trials, this self-paced or blended course (with optional video feedback and live Q&A) provides the depth, flexibility, and guidance to make real progress in your scent detection journey.

Key topics include:

Choosing and shaping the right indication behaviour for your dog

Creating effective search patterns and understanding handler body language

Working with multiple scent hides and realistic distractions

Building focus, confidence, and consistency in new environments

Tracking progress with downloadable planners and logs

You’ll receive access to detailed demos, printable worksheets, and guided training activities to help reinforce each concept. Optional video submissions allow for trainer feedback, and premium-tier learners also gain access to live Q&A sessions and a downloadable progress certificate.

Whether you're looking to build structure into your current scent work or take your dog’s detection skills to the next level, Foundations of Scent Detection will equip you with everything you need to move forward with clarity and confidence.