Competition Scent Dog Trials

30/08/2026

19/08/2026

NEW TO CSD TRIALS? LET’S TALK LEVEL 1!🐾

If you're thinking about entering your first Competition Scent Dog Trial? Then Level 1 is where your journey begins!

🏆WHAT IS LEVEL 1?

At Level 1, your dog searches for Gun Oil and needs to find 4 out of 5 hides to pass the search.

You are also assessed on:

👃 Safety
🐕 Thresholds
🔎 System
🎯 Control
👉 Indication
💨 Working to source

You need a minimum of 6/10 in each area.

✨ AND THERE'S MORE!

Every level is made up of two trial types:

🔵 PRO TRIAL
🟠 ALERT TRIAL

You need to successfully pass the required elements of both to progress through the levels.

🐶 WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT AT LEVEL 1?

✔️ Known number of hides
✔️ No buried hides
✔️ Hides no higher than 1 metre
✔️ Two blank decoys
✔️ Focus on safe, systematic searching

And remember… it's not about speed! ⏱️❌

We're looking for a great partnership between dog and handler, with your dog working confidently to source.

Are you currently training towards a Level 1 Trial?

Tell us below! 👇

Find out more at:
www.competitionscentdogtrials.co.uk

17/08/2026

Massive congratulations to Hayley Bolton & Watkins for completing CSD Trials Level 1!
🙌🎉🐾

12/08/2026

🐾🚨 LEVEL 1 ALERT TRIAL RESULTS!🚨🐾
Sunday 9th August
What a fantastic day at our Level 1 Alert Trial held at a lorry park! 🎉

Alert Trials bring something a little bit different and exciting — each trial has a scenario, giving teams the chance to work through a realistic search situation while putting their training, teamwork and problem-solving skills to the test.

And what a great set of results we had!

🏆 1st Place– Deborah Gilbody & Erik
🥈 2nd Place – Sarah Taylor & Fudge
🥉 3rd Place – Hayley Bolton & Watkins

🌟 RISING STAR AWARD 🌟
A very special well done to Yvonne Horswell & Stan who are still very new to scentwork and have only recently began searching outdoors.

Extra special thank you to our scribe Lou Jones Dogs and Adam & Riley for white dog duties, you both did a fabulous job.

Huge congratulations to all our competitors, pleasure to watch some fabulous searches.

If you've interested in finding out more about our trials and what they're all about, head to our website:
www.competitionscentdogtrials.co.uk

10/08/2026

Marking Criteria Monday: Indication

This week we’re looking at Indication — a key communication between dog and handler.

Before entering the search area, competitors will be asked what their dog’s indication is and how they will let the judge know when their dog has located the hide. This allows the judge to understand your trained final response and assess how clearly your dog communicates source.

So, what is the judge looking for?

✅ A desirable indication – Ideally your dog should clearly show they have found the odour without interfering with the hide or it's surroundings. The indication should be as described.

✅ A clear and consistent Indication – Your dog’s indication should be recognisable, reliable, and consistent. It is the handler’s responsibility to know their dog’s trained indication and recognise it.

Points may be lost if:

❌ The dog interferes with the hide or its surroundings (Pawing, scratching, mouthing, biting, retrieving)

❌ 'Show me again' The handler re tasks the dog back to the hide after the dog has already acknowledged source.

❌ The handler calls it too soon without waiting for their dog to show their trained final response or the handler fails to recognise when their dog is indicating.

❌ The handler marks or rewards their dog before the judge has confirmed the find.

Remember, the goal is a clear communication between dog and handler. The dog’s job is to find the odour and communicate it; the handler’s job is to recognise that communication and confidently inform the judge.

Keep training those final responses — clarity, consistency, and trust are what make a strong search team! 🐶

03/08/2026

Booking link:
https://southcambsdogtrainingclub.as.me/ScentworkWorkshop

03/08/2026

MARKING CRITERIA MONDAY – SYSTEM

A strong search system is one of the foundations of a successful search.

🏅 What are judges looking for?

✅ A logical and well executed search system.
✅ Good planning throughout the search.
✅ Area and route searches require to be broken down into manageable sections.
✅ A clear understanding of what has been searched and what still needs to be covered.
✅ A system that allows the dog to work effectively and gives the best opportunity to locate all hides.

Having a good system brings better area coverage and increases the likelihood of your dog finding more hides. A planned approach helps competitors stay organised, avoid missed areas and confidently know what has—and hasn't—been searched.

Points will be lost where:
❌ The search system is incomplete.
❌ Sections are missed or lack sufficient coverage.
❌ The handler is unable to demonstrate a structured approach.
❌ There is unnecessary repetition of areas already searched.

Remember, a good system is not about rushing through the search. It is about being methodical, efficient and purposeful, allowing your dog the best chance of success.

27/07/2026

Marking Criteria Monday – Control

Control is one of the six marking criteria in Competition Scent Dog Trials... but what are judges actually looking for?

Control isn't about perfect obedience. It's about how well the handler and dog work together as a team throughout the search. The best teams communicate effectively, allowing the dog to search confidently while the handler supports, rather than interferes with, the search.

⭐ Judges will be looking for:
🐾 Positive teamwork between handler and dog.
🐾 Good line handling (or control off line, the choice is yours)
🐾 Good spatial awareness, with the handler moving to support the search and giving the dog space to work.
🐾 Calm, appropriate handling cues that help the search flow smoothly.

❌ Marks may be lost for:
• Blocking or overcrowding your dog, preventing them from working odour effectively.
• Poor line handling and the dog getting tangled.
• The dog frequently disengaging with lack of interest to search.
• The dog ignoring handler cues and teamwork being off balance.

🐾 Training Tip: Video your training sessions. Watch your own movement, line handling and positioning.

20/07/2026

Marking Criteria Monday – Thresholds

During a trial, competitors are marked on Thresholds... but do you know what judges are looking for?

A threshold is the point of entry into a search.

Thresholds apply to buildings, routes, and area searches, where the point of entry should always be searched before committing to the search. Vehicles are the exception and do not present a threshold.

Thresholds are a critical control point and should be treated as "not yet clear" until they have been fully searched.

⭐ How to gain higher marks:

🏠 Building thresholds: Task your dog in to search the outside of the doorway with good overlap coverage, including any fixtures and fittings such as the door frame, handles, letterboxes and other features. Then open the door and search around the inside of the doorway before continuing into the building.

🌿 Routes and search areas: An example with these types of searches would be to work your dog across the width of the entry point, creating a small box before progressing into the search.

TIP:
Trials with continual searches where you move fluently from one element to another—for example Route to Building, Judges will expect to see both thresholds searched. Failing to search the threshold as you transition between elements will result in lost marks.

Taking the time to search thresholds not only improves your score but also helps switch your dog on from the very beginning, encouraging focus and setting the foundations for a more accurate, consistent search.

🐾 Training Tip: Practise threshold searches with good coverage and overlap, place a hide there for your dog to build interest.

❓What do you do to remind yourself to search thresholds ?