Who Am I?

I'm Phil and I have been a dedicated scentwork instructor since 2019, specialising in sport detection training. My journey began with training a 'difficult' rescue dog, which led to significant behavioural improvements. This initial success fuelled my passion for scentwork, prompting me to seek advanced training with renowned organisations such as Scentwork UK, UK Sniffer Dogs, Detection Dog Trials, and the NNA. Additionally, I trained with my local search and rescue team, broadening my expertise.

As the founder of "Hide and go Sniff" in Norfolk, I offer comprehensive training for both pet and sport dogs. My teaching philosophy emphasises the importance of dogs working independently and enjoying the task, focusing on nurturing the drive to search using the dogs' primary motivator before teaching indications and imprinting odour. This approach ensures that both dogs and handlers maximise their enjoyment and understanding, with competition being an afterthought.

In addition to running my training school, I am a judge and host for the Detection Dog Trials, an international scent detection competition for sport and operational dogs and handlers. When not teaching, I am often away from home, further honing my skills by training with both domestic and international trainers and working dog handlers.