Competition Scent Dog Trials

23/09/2026

10/09/2026

🐾 CSD TRIALS OFFICIALS TRAINING AFTERNOON -MIDLANDS 🐾

📅 Sunday 20th September 2026

Calling all Competition Scent Dog Trials Managers & Judges!

Our next Trials Officials Training Afternoon is designed to provide practical training, discussion and hands on experience to help develop confidence and consistency in the delivery of CSD Trials.

The afternoon will include:

🐕 Level 1 & Level 2 trial set-up
⚖️ Judging criteria
📋 Trials preparation
🎯 Hands-on mock trial opportunity

☕ Light refreshments & snacks will be available.

All dogs will be worked individually during the practical elements of the day.

🎟️ BOOK YOUR PLACE

Full event information and online booking are available here:
https://calendly.com/scentsational-paws-academy/csd-trials-officials-training?month=2026-09

Interested in joining the Officials Team?
If you hold City & Guilds credentials as a Scentwork Instructor and would like to find out more about becoming a Trials Manager or Judge, please email:

📧 [email protected]

We look forward to welcoming our Officials Team for a practical and valuable day of training, learning and sharing experience. 🐾

09/09/2026

FAQ - ARE REWARDS ALLOWED IN THE TRIAL AREA?

YES YOU ABSOLUTELY CAN REWARD YOUR DOG!

Some people worry that competition means their dog can't be rewarded. That's not the case at Competition Scent Dog Trials.

Rewards and positive reinforcement is encouraged.

You can use food or toys. (Subject to the CSD Trials rules.)

There are some restrictions, for example, food rewards shouldn't be of crumbly texture, they shouldn't be fed from the floor or dropped whilst feeding. Toy rewards are allowed but must not disrupt the search area.

Why encourage rewards?
Because we want dogs to enjoy working and be paid in a currency they understand. This helps to boost their search confidence and acknowledge a job well done.

Search - Find - Indicate - Reward

Please note - Rewards are your choice. You will not lose marks for not rewarding your dog and you will not gain marks for rewarding your dog.

www.competitionscentdogtrials.co.uk

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