04/06/2026
Why I Introduce Scentwork Into Puppy Training (And Why I Don’t Teach It in a Dog Mosh Pit)
When most people sign up for puppy training, they expect to learn sit, down, stay, recall and how to stop their little land shark from turning their favourite slippers into confetti.
All important stuff.
But there is one thing I believe is often missing from puppy training…
Teaching puppies how to actually be dogs.
Now before anyone panics, I’m not suggesting we release them into the woods and let them form a feral wolf pack.
What I mean is allowing puppies to use the one thing nature spent millions of years perfecting…
Their nose.
Dogs experience the world through scent in a way we simply can’t comprehend. Whilst we’re admiring the scenery on a walk, our dogs are reading the local newspaper, checking social media, finding out who’s been there, what they had for breakfast and whether Brenda’s Labrador from three streets away has been flirting with the Cockapoo from number 27.
Their noses are incredible.
Yet many puppies spend their early months being taught to ignore this superpower.
“Leave it.”
“Come on.”
“Stop sniffing.”
“Walk nicely.”
Imagine telling a toddler not to touch anything for the first two years of their life.
Sniffing isn’t a bad habit.
It’s a biological need.
Why I Introduce Scentwork Early
One of the biggest myths in dog training is that we need to physically exhaust puppies.
People often tell me:
“My puppy has endless energy.”
Usually whilst standing next to a puppy that’s had three walks, chased a ball for half an hour and is now hanging upside down from the curtains like a caffeinated bat.
The problem isn’t often a lack of exercise.
It’s a lack of mental fulfilment.
Scentwork gives puppies a job.
It encourages them to think, solve problems, make decisions and use their brains.
Ten minutes of scentwork can leave a puppy more satisfied than a long walk around the block.
And unlike repeatedly throwing a ball, it doesn’t create a canine athlete who requires the equivalent of an Olympic training programme just to settle down in the evening.
Building Confidence the Right Way
I hear people talk about confidence building all the time.
For me, confidence doesn’t come from constantly helping the dog.
Confidence comes from allowing the dog to work things out for themselves.
Every time a puppy follows a scent trail, searches an area or solves a scent puzzle, they’re learning something incredibly valuable.
They’re learning:
“I can do hard things.”
That’s real confidence.
Not confidence because mum or dad rescued them every five seconds.
Confidence because they succeeded through their own efforts.
Why It’s Done on a 1:2:1 Basis
Now here’s the bit that sometimes surprises people.
My puppy scentwork sessions are delivered on a one instructor to one puppy basis. (Of course with their handler)
There’s a reason for that.
And it’s not because I enjoy making my life financially difficult.
Puppies are a bit like toddlers after a birthday party.
Some are confident.
Some are nervous.
Some are focused.
Some have discovered a leaf and have decided it’s now the most important thing in the universe.
Every puppy develops differently.
When you’ve got large groups, puppies can easily become overwhelmed by distractions, excitement and sensory overload.
Before you know it, you’ve got one puppy barking, one puppy spinning, one puppy eating grass, another trying to make friends with everyone and someone asking where their lead has gone.
Smaller sessions allow puppies to learn without unnecessary pressure.
It means I can watch each puppy carefully, adjust exercises to suit their ability and help handlers learn how to read their dog’s body language.
Most importantly, it allows puppies to succeed.
And success creates motivation.
The Bigger Picture
For me, puppy training isn’t about producing little obedience robots.
It’s about creating confident, resilient dogs that can cope with the real world.
Dogs that can think.
Dogs that can solve problems.
Dogs that can regulate their emotions.
Dogs that don’t immediately lose their minds because a leaf moved unexpectedly.
Scentwork helps develop all of those things.
So yes, we’ll still teach the sits, downs and recalls.
But we’ll also teach puppies to use the most powerful tool they possess.
Their nose.
Because one day your puppy won’t remember how many treats they got in class.
But the confidence, resilience and problem-solving skills they develop through scentwork can stay with them for life.
And let’s be honest…
Watching a puppy proudly hunt for a scent is a lot more entertaining than watching them eat your skirting boards.
If your interested in this then please get it touch
07561 058269
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