What Is Scentwork?
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Scent work taps into a dog’s most powerful natural ability—their nose. Every dog, from family pet to working breed, is born with an extraordinary sense of smell. Scentwork gives them a safe, structured and deeply rewarding way to use it. It builds confidence, focus, independence and problem‑solving skills, while strengthening the bond between dog and handler .At Off‑Leash Obedience, we offer a full range of scent‑based disciplines suitable for beginners through to operational-level teams across West Sussex and the surrounding areas.
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Mantrailing
Teaching dogs to follow the unique scent trail of a specific person. This fast‑paced discipline is ideal for dogs who love searching and using their natural hunting instincts.
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Tracking
A methodical, precise discipline where dogs follow ground disturbance and scent left behind by a moving person. Perfect for dogs who enjoy independent problem‑solving.
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Scent Detection
Dogs learn to search for and indicate on specific target odours. Ideal for enrichment, sport, and real‑world applications, with a focus on clear, reliable indications.
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Lost Property Searches
A fun, practical skill where dogs locate and retrieve items carrying human scent. Great for motivation, accuracy and teamwork. SEO keywords: lost property dog training, article search training, scent work enrichment for dogs
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Specialist Detection
For handlers looking to progress into professional pathways, we also offer specialist detection training, including:
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Vape detection
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Drug detection
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Explosives detection
These sessions follow industry‑standard methods, prioritising accuracy, safety and reliability.
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Availability
Due to extremely high demand, all of our group scent work classes are currently fully booked. However, you’re very welcome to:
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Join our wait list for the next available space
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Reach out for private scentwork training, tailored to your dog’s needs and your goals
We’ll always do our best to accommodate you and keep you moving forward on your scentwork journey.