Nose Work
Exploring the World Through Scent
Dogs experience the world through their noses. While we rely on sight to navigate our surroundings, our dogs are busy gathering layers of information from scent. Every sniff tells a story: who’s been here, what they were doing, how long ago they passed through. It’s a sensory world we can’t access ourselves, but when we step into it alongside our dogs, something special happens.
At Love Your Paws, nose work isn’t a side activity or optional extra. It’s a core part of how we help dogs thrive, not just mentally, but emotionally and socially too. The connection, confidence, and calm it builds is hard to put into words. But once you’ve seen your dog fully absorbed in the task of scent work, you’ll understand why we believe this is where real transformation begins.
explore the world of scent together
(from 5 months)
If you’re new to scent work, this is the place to start. The Foundation Scent Workshop gives you a full introduction to how scent work actually works - from the dog’s perspective. We’ll cover everything you need to know before joining Scent Skills classes, including how dogs process scent, how we introduce a target odour, and how to begin shaping a clear indication.
You’ll also get the chance to support your dog through their very first searches, with plenty of guidance throughout., this session gives you the understanding and support to get started with confidence. (Workshops will focus on either kong or catnip - please check details when booking your first session)
🐾 Required before attending any Scent Skills class if you haven’t completed the online Intro to Scent Work video session.
(for experienced teams)
An INVITATION ONLY challenging, rewarding session for confident scent work dogs and handlers who love learning together.
Each month we explore different locations and scent pairings, from Kong and gun oil to catnip and beyond.
It’s all about fun, variety, and enjoying the kind of partnership that only scent work can build.
* Love Your Paws members receive priority booking
for this session
(follow on from Foundation Scent Work Shop or Online Intro Session)
These sessions focus on building clear, confident search skills using Kong scent. You’ll learn how to support your dog as they develop calm focus, reliable searching, and a consistent freeze indication, all in a quiet, structured environment where learning can really land.
🐾 Before attending your first Scent Skills class, you’ll need to complete either our Foundation Scent Work Shop (kong) or our Intro to Scent Work video session. This gives you the background knowledge you’ll need to get started successfully and ensures your dog begins with clarity and confidence.
* Love Your Paws members receive priority booking
for this session
(follow on from Foundation Scent Work Shop or Online Intro Session)
Scent work with Catnip uses a retrieve-based indication, where your dog learns to search for and bring back a scented item. These sessions focus on shaping the retrieve, building motivation, and supporting your dog to develop focus and fluency, all in a thoughtful, structured environment.
🐾 Before attending your first Scent Skills class, you’ll need to complete our Intro to Scent Work Shop (Catnip) or our Intro to Scent Work video session. This gives you the background knowledge you’ll need to get started successfully and ensures your dog begins with clarity and confidence.
* Love Your Paws members receive priority booking
for this session
(for teams actively engaging in the
Scent Skills Kong sessions)
These sessions take your dog’s Kong scent skills into the real world. With searches set in varied outdoor environments, your dog gets the chance to apply their learning in a fun, enriching way. These sessions are open to dogs who are actively attending Scent Skills classes and have begun to understand how the search works.
* Love Your Paws members receive priority booking
for this session
(for teams actively engaging in the
Scent Skills Catnip sessions)
Playful and purposeful, these sessions allow your dog to use their Catnip retrieve indication in natural outdoor spaces. Whether searching bags, natural features, or everyday objects, your dog gets the chance to enjoy the game while building real-world fluency. These sessions are for dogs who have an established retrieve behaviour and are actively attending Scent Skills classes.
* Love Your Paws members receive priority booking
for this session
(from 5 months)
These sessions teach your dog to follow a person’s scent trail. It’s a skill that builds independence, problem-solving, and confidence as well as team work between you and your dog.
.Trails begin short and simple, then grow in length and complexity as you & your dog learn to trust their nose, work together and grow in confidence as a team.
Each dog works individually, which makes this a brilliant option for dogs who need space or prefer not to work around others. It’s challenging, absorbing, and incredibly satisfying for both dog and handler.
* Available as part of the Love Your Paws full membership or to book as a stand alone session