Sniffers
Working on different search environments and setups is a great way to really stimulated your dog's mind, work on your relationship, and bond over something your dog loves to do. Giving a dog an outlet for such a foundation skill is a huge way to avoid frustration behaviours and issues with disengagement.
What do we cover?
Sniffers is our follow on from the Scentwork Foundations group. In this rolling course we work on different environment set ups such as:
- Warehouse search
- Vehicle search
- Office search
- Luggage & container search
- Find my keys (and other around the house help)
- Basic Tracking intro
- Where's my friend
- Go get my ...?
Each of these topics is explored in 2-4 week long mini-courses. We will revisit them regularly to build up your skills in each. This is very much a club setup to keep you and your dog working and having fun together.
We always follow scientifically verified, aversion free training and behaviour techniques. There are no harsh methods or tools throughout. At all times we follow the code of ethics of both the APDT and IMDT.
Your notes for each session will be sent to you via email after the class.
Who is this course for?
This group course is designed for dogs of any age who have completed the Scentwork Foundations course.
This course is not suitable for dogs who are overly excitable on leash, who do not engage at all with people when out and about, who are reactive towards dogs or people, or who are excessively fearful. We have other suitable courses, training, or behaviour work for these cases.
Preparing for your course
There are a few things to bring with you to your course.
- Training treats
- Comfortable 2-point harness
- Fixed length leash
- A non-squeaky toy your dog likes
- Water & a bowl to drink from
- Towels for drying off
- Mat or blanket for your dog to sit on
- Search items (discussed in class & prep for class)
- Sniffing collar or harness
Please try to avoid feeding your dog for 2 hours before class unless they have a medical condition that requires more frequent food.
Please note that we do not permit any tools in class that are aversive in nature, this includes: choke chains; slip leads; martingales; electric collars; no-pull harnesses (harnesses that get tighter when pulled); prong collars; or retractable leashes.
Location, dates, times & cost
Our group courses are held outdoors either in our training field just outside of Prosperous or in Monread Park in Naas. The course is run on grass so please dress for the weather. We run classes in public spaces so that we are working on the distractions of every day life from the get go.
Upcoming dates:
- Introduction to vehicle search - March 8th 2026 9am - 10am: Training field, Garvogue, Prosperous - 2 weeks
- Create your own search items around the house - March 28th 9am - 10am: Training field Garvogue, Prosperous - 2 weeks
This course costs €50 in total for the two weeks.
Please make sure you are available for all weeks of the course as transfers between courses is not possible.
Ready to book your Sniffers?
Reserve your spot on the next Sniffers course and get working on your dog's sniffing skills.
Book your spot