Talking Dogs Scentwork®

Thirteen years ago I pioneered scentwork for companion dogs across the UK.

If you want more scentwork, better relationships, happier dogs, come learn with me in Talking Dogs Scentwork®'s second decade.

I have to pinch myself to believe that it's been over a decade since Talking Dogs Scentwork® was born. Thirteen years, thousands of dogs and handlers, and countless laughs, surprises and gasps of awe as our dogs astounded and delighted us with the power of their noses.

I am so thankful for all the clients who bought into my concept of supportive scentwork. Humans supporting canines as we all work towards common goals. I'm not just talking about the goal of finding the target scent, but of the ultimate goal of helping our dogs feel confident as we build trust and partnerships with them.

My foolproof system is used in more than 24 countries by thousands of dog folks just like you (and me).

Over the years I have tried many different dog training activities but
Talking Dogs Scentwork® is the ‘Creme De La Creme’.

It’s brilliant! Dogs love it, handlers love it and ALL DOGS CAN DO IT! TDS provides dogs and handlers with essential mental and physical exercise. It strengthens the bond between dog and handler. TDS can be done anywhere - indoors or out. Truffle, my 14 year old Working Cocker, still enjoys daily searches for her ‘mice’. It keeps her alert and active. I’m so pleased I discovered Pam. I would recommend TDS to all dog owners.​.
Val Ford
Sally Talbot

Scentwork for all

Using my supportive scentwork system, every dog can not only benefit from, but can experience joy and pleasure when engaging in Talking Dogs Scentwork®

Dogs who can be reative with other dogs and/or people have quickly learned that we offer a safe space for them to relax and learn.

Dogs who are starting to lose mobility or who are differently abled from other dogs find themselves shoulder to shoulder with their peers, their noses doing just as fine a job as all the others.

We have welcomed, and continue to welcome, handlers in wheelchairs, with walking aids, with autism and with mental challenges.

Dogs and handlers both young and old, complete novices and experienced trainers have all succeed with Talking Dogs Scentwork®

The supportive scentwork offered by Talking Dogs Scentwork® has proved time and time again that excellence can walk, or sniff, hand in hand with inclusivity. Nobody should feel excluded or belittled for having a certain breed of dog or a disability or for not having years of experience or a deep understanding of learning theory.

My core values and long experience remain the same:
TALKING DOGS SCENTWORK® IS FOR EVERY DOG AND EVERY HANDLER


Having an anxious, reactive dog is very difficult. Training classes often left both of us frustrated and disheartened. Then we discovered Talking Dogs Scentwork® and loved it from day one.

I love that everything about TDS is centred around the individual dog - what you search for, the types of searches you do, even asking other dogs to leave the room if needed. I also learnt to trust my dog, and he learnt that I was there to help and support him and for the first time we were actually working as a team. He adores scentwork, from the carefully controlled searches that kept him sane during periods of crate rest/restricted exercise to digging up tiny bits of cloth buried on a beach - the possibilities are endless and the best thing is that he always 'wins'
Helen Heffron
I would just like to say how wonderful it is since I discovered Scentwork. It has enabled me to have the most fantastic relationship with my dog better than I could have expected. We often have to travel long distances and knowing that I can set up an exciting but ultimately relaxing search enroute makes these journeys far less stressful. Thank you from Poppy and myself.
Lynda Salmon
Just want to say how much Hannah, my rescue Gordon Setter, and I enjoyed the scentwork classes. Hannah was not a toy oriented dog but CHEESE!! Oh boy!! Your well explained lessons and good humoured approach was fantastic. Thoroughly enjoyed the experience all the way through to the end to becoming a handler!! Thank you so much. Would recommend TDS to everyone!!
Barbara Weir

Scentwork for EVERY dog

Talking Dogs Scentwork® has been the very best of the many activities that Scampi and I have tried. It's the one we stick with and the one that comes out of the tin on days when the weather is horrid, when Scampi is feeling anxious and stressed or when we just want a bit of fun for the pair of us! As the owner of an anxious and reactive dog, scentwork has helped me see Scampi in a whole new light. It empahsises her brilliance rather than her difficulties. It has strengthened our bond as we work as a little team. I've dipped into other brands of scentwork which require a passive indication but nothing seems to be as much fun for Scampi as Talking Dogs Scentwork where Scampi can search out and play with the find. I also love that it's something we will be able to do even as Scampi (and I) get older and less agile. I loved working through the workshops with the progressively more difficult and more exciting searches. I made friends for life through TDS. The joy that Scampi displays when that scentwork tin appears is worth it's weight in gold!
Fiona McLean
Pam Mackinnon

Controversial opinion – Extending Leads Can Be Great!

I know that the received wisdom is that extending leads are terrible. But wait – they aren’t all bad. In fact, they can be great! Case in point – our dog walk today. Ella is lame on one of her back legs so is on restricted exercise. Lead walks only. Ettie is not on restricted

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certificates of scentwork students
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Fabulous free resource

Get 30 Days of Hides -free!

Run out of ideas of where to hide your dog’s target scent? Looking for inspiration? Stop looking – I’ve got the solution. New hides every day for 30 days. Plus advice, tips and variations for all scentwork levels.

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