21/07/2026
One of the things I love most about scent work isnât when the dog finds the hide.
Itâs everything that happens in between.
As trainers and handlers, itâs easy to celebrate the find (and we absolutely should!) but Iâm always watching for the little moments that tell us where a dog could become even more confident.
Do they hesitate before stepping into a narrow space? Do they avoid putting their head into something they canât quite see inside? Do they lose concentration because something moved or made a noise? Do they find the odour but struggle to fully commit to the because the position feels awkward or unstable.
Our dogs arenât purpose-bred detection dogs. Theyâre our much-loved pets, all with different personalities, physical abilities, life experiences and confidence levels. Some are naturally bold, some are more cautious, and thatâs absolutely okay.
Some dogs may never enjoy certain situations, and thatâs okay too. But what if, in some areas, we could help them feel just a little more confident? A little more resilient?
Not by forcing them. Not by overwhelming them. But by giving them the skills and experiences, sometimes away from the search itself, that help them believe, âIâve got this.â
Because so often, the biggest challenge in a search isnât finding the odour at all. Itâs feeling confident and clear enough to stay committed to the game.
âThe bits in betweenâ are where partnerships grow.
And theyâre definitely the bits I get most excited about as a trainer.
đˇ thanks Hilary
More from today to follow.
