Sniff It Out
Discover Scentwork Training & Unlock The True Potential of Your Dog’s Nose
The Most Comprehensive Yet Easy to Follow Beginner’s Guide in Scentwork Training with your Dog
Scent Work Academy Highly Rated Google Business 
From casual sniffing to searching it’s time to unlock the training, advice and support you need and step into the amazing activity of scent training and enjoy the benefits of sharing your life with a fulfilled and contented companion dog.
Scentwork training is an excellent activity for all dogs of any age, breed and background. The Sniff It Out – Online Course For All Companion Dogs will provide you with a comprehensive yet easy to follow programme delivering a combination of fascinating theory and fun practical exercises to do with your dog.
The course will provide your dog lots of opportunities to use their super power nose more often as they sniff out the hidden scent.
Once your dog has mastered the foundation skills you can both continue to enjoy the activity further in your home environment, take your scent training out and about and even enter trials and competitions which are becoming more widely available as the popularity of scentwork with companion dog’s increases.
As you interact with your dog through this positive reward based activity, it can impact positively on general dog behaviours, build on the bond you have with your dog and enhance your relationship.
The Benefits of Our Online Scentwork Training Course
Your dog can learn their scent training foundations in a calm and known environment
Your dog may not suit group classes
You have other home and work commitments to work around making it difficult to schedule a fixed time
Cuts down on travel time and travel expense
You feel more comfortable in your own environment, learning at your own pace
The expense of in person dog training and in particular specialised training can be costly
There are no scentwork trainers near you or they are fully booked and you are eager to get started with your dog
Have you experienced any of these behaviours from your dog?
Destructive chewing , looking for things to steal, wrecking the garden
Overly vigilant and noise sensitive in the home
General attention seeking behaviours. Barking, whining, nudging or jumping up
You love your dog but you are finding their behaviours really stressful as you can’t get on with your daily tasks.
Do you dream of having a contented restful dog?
Have you be thinking about what can you do with your dog
to keep them entertained ?
The ‘Sniff It Out’ Home Learning Scentwork Training Course is the ….
‘PERFECT SOLUTION’
Did you know that ……..
Just fifteen to twenty minutes of scentwork provides a natural workout which utilises alot of your dog’s mental energy and some physical energy too.
The activity relieves boredom enabling your dog to settle more easily afterwards, keeping them out of trouble whilst you continue your daily tasks, until it’s time for their next physical excursion. It’s more than enrichment, it’s essential to give your dog a fulfilling job to do.
Introducing Sniff It Out – Home Learning Training Course
“Helping your dog to thrive by fulfilling their natural instincts, promoting relaxation and contentment through mental stimulation ”
Have you welcomed a new puppy into your life?
This is an exciting time but it can be challenging as your puppies exercise will be restricted whilst their bones grow and ligaments strengthen. Keeping your busy puppy entertained with scent games is a great way to stimulate their mind and provide a non impacting physical activity.
Scent training also starts on early foundation training and game playing using positive reinforcement.
Scentwork is confidence building and strengthens your new relationship.
Puppies can start their journey in scentwork training at a very young age and this will become a fantastic activity for you to learn about and for you to both grow together in. It’s an activity you can do throughout every stage of your dog’s life.
Your Dog’s Nose Knows!
Join our friendly online scentwork training community today
Sniff It Out – Online Home Learning Scent Training Course is a step by step learning journey
No specialist equipment is required
This is the training your dog will love to do and where bonds are made
Bite-sized informative, interesting, and concise visual learning
Less screen time more time to enjoy the practical training with your dog
No previous dog training experience needed
Many additional resources to support your learning experience
Lifetime access to course materials
Would you like to feel proud of your adolescent dog’s behaviour and not embarrassed?
Are your struggling with your adolescent dog’s behaviour right now?
Are they lacking focus, have limited attention span and seem to have gone deaf to any instruction from you?
Although challenging this is perfectly normal behaviour within this development period. Focus can become limited whilst growth and reproductive hormones surge throughout the entire body and mind.
The ‘Sniff It Out’ Home Learning Scentwork Training Course is the PERFECT SOLUTION in supporting you through your dog’s adolescence and beyond
Scentwork training will provide your young dog a natural outlet for all the crazyiness going on over this development period. It will help to tire them mentally, whilst still utilsing some obedience training , build on their focus and maintaining and building on your relationship.
Does your dog display reactive behaviours?
Does your dog react by barking, growling and lunging?
Are you finding walks really stressful?
Is it difficult to gain focus from your dog?
Is your dog showing fear in fight or flight behaviours?
Does your dog get easily aroused around distractions ?
It can be extremely challenging when you are managing your dog’s reactive behaviours. This can be very upsetting and restricting for you in daily life.
Many dogs that react quickly overtime have learnt to be very vigilant and use their sight over their primary sense, their sense of smell.
How scentwork training can support you with your dog
Scentwork training is a sole activity enabling you to work alone with your dog in controlled safe environments.
When your dog is using their primary sense within scent training and gaining positive reinforcment a chemical called dopamine is released. This is a feel good hormone and promotes a more optimistic bias.
Home scentwork training is ideal for dogs that are reactive . Working and playing together within your scent training will increase your dog’s focus, confidence and it builds on the trust between you.
This can support you in other areas of ‘coping strategy’ training that you maybe undergoing. Often scentwork is used within behaviour rehabilitation programmes
How The Sniff It Out Scentwork Training Course Can Help Owners with their Companion Dogs
The activity increases confidence, which can help fearful and shy dogs to gain more resilience in other areas of their lives
Dogs that display reactive behaviours can benefit hugely from using their seeking system more. As this activity is individually trained, all dogs can participate
Builds bonds between the owner and their dog. Scentwork provides a unique learning path in understanding more about your dog’s unique body languages and character whilst observing your dog seeking a target odour
When dog’s utilise their innate superpower sense, it is a natural workout which uses a lot of the dog’s energy
Promotes focus and enhances on the dog’s cognitive brain activity, as there is a lot of problem solving to locate the hidden odour
Promotes natural free movement. This is great for young puppies, adolescents through to senior and also for dog’s on restricted exercise and dogs with physical disabilities
The activity increases confidence, whichcan help fearful and shy dogs to gainmore resilience in other areas of their lives
Dogs that display reactive behaviours can benefit hugely from using their seeking system more. As this activity is individually trained, all dogs can participate
Builds bonds between the owner and theirdog. Scentwork provides a unique learningpath in understanding more about yourdog’s unique body languages and characterwhilst observing your dog seeking a targetodour
Hi there, I’m Mandy Rigby
I’m wife to Lee, a Mum of two and a Grandmum and of course a doggie Mum too. I love enjoying the outdoor life with my wonderful Flatcoated Retriever, Reenie. I have a real liking for dark chocolate everyday! and love a good period drama series
My passion is dog’s and it has been since I was a little girl, in being surrounded by dogs and many other animals on my Grandparent’s farm in the Cotswolds in the UK
Over fifteen years ago I started my later in life educational journey to qualify as a Canine Behaviourist, this decision was influenced by my two rescue dogs whose behaviours where complex and challenging. At the time I could not find a ‘true’ positive reinforcement trainer and the methods I was advised to use were heavily punishment based.
Follow you heart, it always leads you to the right place in the end.
Then a black fur ball of joy came into my world, at just eight weeks of age who would have known she would change the course of my life journey in the dog training sector.
More importantly to me was helping hundreds of people to gain a better understanding of their dogs and moving forward to live happier lives together.
When the time was right I set up my business Yes! Good Dog to support people with their dog’s behaviour concerns. I also continued further studies in canine separation anxiety. My behaviour and training business thrived gaining many delighted reviews
I could tick off every puppy behaviour in the book, she did them all! Adolescence became an even more challenging time to navigate.
As she was a working breed I knew she needed to ‘have a job’ to get us through the next eighteen months
She was too young to start on gundog or agility sports and my time was limited with working weekends and evenings. Her adolescent mind did not focus on obedience training for very long before frustration set in
Then we found scentwork training, at the time a relatively new activity for companion dogs in the UK
I cannot emphasise enough what a difference it made. No longer embarrassed I was truly proud of my girlie’s nose abilities. It gave us both something fun and engaging to do. She loved applying herself to seeking a hidden scent and was nice and relaxed after our
sessions. What I wasn’t expecting was just how interesting it was for the handler as well.
I found a connection I never thought would be possible.
Gradually her focus improved and we could then work on other aspects of her general obedience training. We were coming out the other side with our relationship not just intact but thriving.
From there as the saying goes ‘it’s history’. I was totally bitten by the ‘sniffy’ bug and trained to become a scentwork instructor with one of the leading organisations in the United Kingdom.
I bought scentwork into my behaviour programmes and saw the huge benefits for the dog’s and their families. I started to run my Sniff It Out for Beginner’s Workshops in 2017 bringing
scent training into the lives of hundreds of dog owners with their companion dogs.
Scentwork training with your dog can make a REAL difference
I went on to become a Judge and Trial Manager and in subsequent years began focusing purely on scentwork instruction within my business ‘Scent Work Academy’ coaching from beginners to advanced training.
I knew now what my purpose was in the dog training sector and that is to raise the awareness of scentwork to every dog owner far and wide
My mission is to share my passion for scentwork for you and your dog to enjoy
The journey to transfer my successful in person training to an online home learning course took over a eighteen months to complete, sadly loosing my Mum in the middle of production which nearly called a halt on me continuing on with the course
In times of sadness we have to dig deep to get through
My conviction and passion in how scentwork can help humans as well as our dogs was put to the test just three days after my Mum had passed. My dog looked mournfully at me, so I crawled out of bed in much grief and still wearing my nightwear went into the garden and set some searches up for her. She became ignited with joy and I observed her with light in my
heart which spurred me on to finally get dressed and face the world
My Mum left me a card saying ‘Never stop believing in yourself’
Beyond Just the Sniff!
Many a client has expressed to me that participating in scentwork activities with their dog has pulled them out of some dark places when life has been hard. There is something sereal and calming in immersing yourself on observing your dog tracking down a scent that you have hidden. It’s not just a brilliant activity for your dog’s mind but it is great for your mental health too.
I am delighted to be to bringing you, this informative and fun scentwork training course in celebration of all dogs and their dedicated Guardians
Happy Clients & Their Happy Sniffing Dogs
In a Nutshell – What is Included on The Sniff It Out Course ?
12 Modules + Resource Library Module
58 Bite Sized Lessons – For relaxed learning as knowledge increases
Over 75 Practical Dog Demo Video’s (Equivalent to over 25 hours of in-person training)
6 Fabulous Additional Resources – A priceless bounty of years of knowledge and experience
4 Table top demonstrations on making up target odours of either clove, gun oil or Kong
‘All About Motivation Within Scentwork’ Webinar Presentation included
Life Time Access to Course Resources – Wow! Priceless
Supportive Private Facebook Community (Lifetime Access) Amazing Resource
Q & A Facebook Lives
A well deserved ‘Certificate of Completion’
Twelve Progressive Learning Modules From First Sniff to Scent Detector Dog
Introduction to Scentwork
Here you will discover how amazing the dog’s nose truly is and the first steps in getting prepared to start on your scentwork journey together
Let’s Get Searching
Here you will learn how to set up your initial searches for your dog and more information on their amazing olfactory system.
This New Smell is ‘Wow’
Here you will discover how to make up and imprint a target odour for your dog to search for.
“It’s Here” Indication Behaviour Training
Here you will learn about indication behaviours and the methodology surrounding this area of scentwork training
When Two Becomes One
Here you will start to combine your dog’s previous indication behaviour training by bringing back in the imprinted target odour
Sniff! Sniff! It’s This One
Here you will be taking your training on further with your dog being provided with a choice to make
Yay! Sniff It Out
Here you be setting up multiple item searches including one item housing the target odour
Found It -Without a Doubt
Here you will learn how to gradually build up the duration of your dog’s passive indication within a multiple item search
Additional Supportive Information
Here you will be provided with some additional support on other aspects that can arise in your dog’s scentwork training journey
Searching Exterior Items
Here you will discover all about taking your dog’s item searches into an exterior environment
Take a look at all the ‘Scent’ational eLearning Resources Included Within the Course
Special Bonus Lesson
Struggling with Your Dog’s Passive Indication? Alternative Methods to get that ‘Light Bulb’ Moment
Utilising your Dog’s Nose is Key
Scentwork is an excellent activity for all dogs of any age, breed and background. The Sniff It Out online course will provide you with a comprehensive insight both theoretically and practically into scentwork which is becoming the most popular training activity and dog sport for dog owners to do with their dog.
The course will provide your dog an opportunity to use their superpower nose more often as they sniff out the hidden scents.
As you interact with your dog through a positive reward based activity this builds on the bond you have with your dog and enhances the relationship
Mandy Rigby
Scentwork Instructor
Founder of Scent Work Academy
Scent Detection Competitions
Yes Good Dog Behaviour & Training
Scent Work Academy is based in the central area of the U.K and has been established since 2017. Mandy Rigby, Founder and Head Instructor has introduced scentwork to hundreds of dogs and progresses their training from novice to advanced competitive levels. The company ethos is raise the awareness of scentwork and they welcome all to have a go with their companion dog, enabling more to enjoy the many benefits it provides for both owner and their four paws.
‘All About Scentwork’ Featured in Edition Dog Magazine 2023 and Live Displays 2023/2024
Have a question? You may find the answer below
If not, please email me
info@scentworkacademy.co.uk
Let’s Nose Around Some FAQ’S
I have many other commitments, how much time will I be required to spend on training my dog?
Good question! Life is very busy for many. The lessons have been designed with that in mind. Each lesson is bite-sized so you can enjoy a cuppa and delve in for a few minutes at a time. Time is far better spent utilised away from the screen in spending lovely times with your dog in applying the practical training. I would recommend to get the most out of the course that a minimum of just two sessions a week for about 20-25 minutes per session would be ideal. Some of the training elements only take a few minutes of time. You can put in as much or little as time as you have, as long as you can commit to some short sessions on a regular basis. If time is a real issue you can combine some scent training alongside or within the normal time allowance you dedicate for your dog’s walk. It’s a great activity for wet and very hot days too, and for times when you may not beable to commit to much physical exercise that day for whatever reason.
I don’t have a lot of space, will this course still work for me?
The course is designed to be able to be done in your home or garden area. You will need enough space to be able to lay out the size of 5-6 medium boxes or containers. A hallway or outside area. If space is a real issue maybe ask friends or family for support. It’s always fun sharing your dog’s amazing nose abilities too. Most of the exercises could be adapted to smaller areas depending on the size of your dog.
Do I have to complete in a set time?
The course material is delivered over four month time frame and by committing to some training twice a week you will make lots of progress within a six month period. Regular training keeps up some continuity for your dog. The course has lifetime access though so if life gets in the way and you need to break off the course structure you can pick it up anytime. You also have the freedom of lifelong access to the Facebook community from the time of purchase.
My dog is on a restricted diet, will this matter?
No, not at all, you can use your dog’s normal food, I do advise within the course that if possible to scent up blander food types with some stronger smelling food of a higher value to your dog will help the process. This is explained more within the course. You can also use your dog’s favourite toy to search for combined with play. A Kong on a rope toy, a retrieve toy or raggie’s are great reinforcers.
I would like to enter trials and competitions, does this course cater for me and my dog getting to that level?
Yes, this course is from foundation level right through to area searches. The course covers many elements required for starting your competitive journey. Organisations run different criteria’s and by completing this course you will have mastered enough to start looking into the guidelines of the first level of competitions that you would like to enter in. Before starting on the imprinting process with your dog, I would advise you check what target scents are used and how they are prepared, you can then use the correct one throughout the course. I cover the preparation of clove, gun oil and Kong.
My life circumstance has changed, is there any refund on the course?
I understand circumstances can change but unfortunately there is no cancellation or refund available on any of the online content. I endorse people to stay committed to the program for the good of their dog and offer a supportive community along the way. Please read these pages carefully and ensure you are happy to commit to the course. If you have any questions please email me direct info@scentworkacademy.co.uk
How does the community group support work?
The support group is run through a private Facebook page in which you can request membership of after you have joined the programme. You have free lifetime membership. Q & A’s are conducted live on the page which you are welcome to join or view later. This is optional and doesn’t affect your personal learning journey if you do not have access to this media. If you do, you are welcome to post pictures and video footage onto the page, or ask questions for additional support on designated days of the week, being involved in a community can help to keep our motivation levels up when working from home.
I haven’t done any training with my dog, will I still be able to do this?
Absolutely yes! No previous training experience is required for the dog or for you as your dog’s trainer and handler. You will learn a lot from the course about general training cue’s, marker words and the timing of these. I am sure this will have a positive impact in your understanding of dog training in other areas outside of the course too.
I have a new puppy, should I start now or wait until later?
You can start scentwork training with your puppy as soon as they have settled in with you. I would advise you spend some extra time on Module 2. Very young pup’s sometimes need a bit more support on the first searches, it helps to initially lay out a trail of treats to the beginning of the search area so they learn what the game is. It doesn’t take long for them to discover what a fabulous activity this is for them.
I am concerned this won’t work for me and my dog
I am living proof in how scent training has changed my life with my dog. I have trained over 100 breed types and not known of one that didn’t enjoy scentwork training. If you are committed and follow the step by step course programme I am sure your dog will enjoy it and you will too. There is no pressure on you whatsoever, this is the most natural form of dog training. If you wish to discuss concerns further please reach out to me at info@scentworkacademy.co.uknfo@scentworkacademy.co.uk
Is all the content available straight way or is it time released?
The course is time released. On signing up you will see the first two modules in your personal portal and you can download your own Scentwork Training Journal. On completion the next module will be unlocked for your to commence on every two weeks. This helps you to view the material, source anything you may need and do the practical training sessions with your dog that are aligned with that particular module before the next is released for viewing.
Is there a payment plan?
It is full payment for this course. I have been conscious to keep the outlay as reasonable as I can for the comprehensive content and support provided. We all stay more committed when we invest and commit fully from the offset. The primary directive is for your dog to be the centre of this investment and to benefit from your attention to their scentwork training journey. The administration of managing payment plans is also quite time consuming and my time is much better spent in providing additional support to all students undertaking the course.