The College of Scent Dogs.

“The Science of Scent. The Art of Excellence”

City & Guilds Assured. The College of Scent Dogs are a C&G Assured Training Establishment
A badge with a hexagon shape, red background, and white outline. Inside, there is a wireframe cube with the word 'Assured' in the center. Around the cube, text reads 'City & Guilds Assured' in a circular pattern. At the bottom, there is a small logo of a lion with the words 'City & Guilds'.
Explosive Search dog, operational briefing The College of Scent Dogs

At The College of Scent Dogs, we're proud to offer the best scent detection, tracking, and mantrailing training! Built on decades of operational police search dog experience and backed by the highest academic qualifications, our programmes combine practical skill with expert knowledge. This special mix creates an inspiring and supportive space where all dog trainers can truly thrive.

As the only City & Guilds Assured scent dog training establishment, we set the gold standard in professional certification. Join us to commence a fantastic journey that will transform your understanding of canine capabilities and elevate your professional practice to new heights.

Where passion meets expertise and exceptional training begins.

How will you benefit from our programmes?

  • Benefit Focus: Credibility & Recognition

    Because Your Credentials Should Mean Something Extraordinary.

    Stop settling for homemade certificates that carry no weight. The College of Scent Dogs is the UK's ONLY City & Guilds Assured scent detection establishment, a distinction that instantly elevates your professional standing and opens doors others can only dream of.

    Globally Recognised. Nationally Respected. Exclusively Ours.

    Earn prestigious City & Guilds qualifications in Scent Detection, Tracking, or Mantrailing that employers, organisations, and clients actually recognise and value. Display your Digital Credentials with pride across every platform – LinkedIn, your website, social media – and watch as opportunities multiply.

    This isn't just another dog training course. This is your competitive advantage.

    While others wave their printed-at-home certificates, you'll stand tall with verified, industry-leading credentials that prove your expertise and commitment to excellence. Your CV will shine. Your credibility will soar. Your future will transform.

    Invest in our programmes and shout your achievements from the rooftops.

  • Benefit Focus: Exclusive Expertise & Evidence-Based Training Methods

    Unmatched Academic Excellence Meets Real-World Experience:

    Learn from an extraordinary team of experts who combine operational expertise with advanced academic qualifications:

    • Dr Robert Hewings – Doctorate in Professional Practice (Scent Detection), award-winning author, and pioneer of our exclusive Hydrotrailing™ methodology.

    • Karen (Head Trainer) – Currently completing her Master’s Degree in Professional Practice, underpinning extensive operational police experience with advanced academic rigour.

    • Ben – Studying his Master’s Degree in Adult Learning, ensuring our teaching methods are as exceptional as our scent work expertise.

    • Hollie – Master’s Degree in Conservation Management (awarded), bringing specialist knowledge to conservation detection work.

    Revolutionary Training You Won't Find Anywhere Else:

    Experience Hydrotrailing™, our groundbreaking, trademarked methodology developed through doctoral research and exclusive to The College of Scent Dogs. Combined with 60+ years of operational police experience, evidence-based practices, and force-free methods, we deliver training excellence that's simply unmatched in the UK.

    This isn't just dog training! It's world-class education from qualified professionals committed to lifelong learning and to setting the highest standards in scent detection.

  • Benefit Focus: Build your confidence & Dog Training Knowledge

    Whether you're enriching your dog's life or pursuing professional instructor certification, scent work offers incredible mental stimulation, builds confidence, and strengthens your bond. Our comprehensive programmes include in-person training, ongoing support, and no hidden monthly fees, just transparent value that delivers lifelong knowledge and skills for you and your dog.

City & Guilds logo with a red lion and the words "City & Guilds ASSURED".
  • A digital collage of promotional materials for The College of Scent Dogs. Features an emblem with a shield and crown, a note pinning the title "The Scent Detection Dog Trainer," and a logo with a lion and the text "City & Guilds ASSURED." The background has colorful abstract patterns.

    City & Guilds Assured Scent Detection

    Offering expertise in science, methodology, and experience to train any dog for reliable target odour detection, while also teaching handlers to read their dogs like a book.

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  • A digital collage of promotional materials for The College of Scent Dogs. Features an emblem with a shield and crown, a note pinning the title "The Tracking Dog Trainer," and a logo with a lion and the text "City & Guilds ASSURED."

    City & Guilds Assured Tracking

    We'll provide you with trusted techniques, practical scenarios, and the confidence to train any dog to follow that vital track. Whether it's for pet-dog enjoyment, lost dogs, or conservation, the choice is yours!

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  • A digital collage of promotional materials for The College of Scent Dogs. Features an emblem with a shield and crown, a note pinning the title "The Mantrailing Dog Trainer," and a logo with a lion and the text "City & Guilds ASSURED."

    City & Guilds Assured Mantrailing

    We'll teach you how to turn the greatest game of hide and seek into a professional skill! Training dogs to follow human scent and handlers to trust the trail, every time

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  • A large red bag containing multiple grey and white scent detection pipes two navy blue bags with a crest showing The College of Scent dogs

    The College Shop

    Shop scent detection equipment designed by experienced handlers with proven operational credibility. No gimmicks, just reliable gear that performs when it matters most. Still the original and the best.

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  • A stylized crest with a crown and scroll, featuring the text "TCSD" and "Ego Quaerere Et Invenire" with clouds of pink, purple, and blue smoke in the background, and the words "The College of Scent Dogs" at the bottom.

    Meet the Team

    Say hello to Dr. Rob and our expert team of superb professionals who bring decades of real-world operational experience, infectious enthusiasm with pet-dog training skills, and a genuine passion for teaching

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  • Dr Robert Hewings , speaking and gesturing with his hands in front of a projection screen, giving a lecture on behalf of The College of Scent Dogs

    Consultancy Services

    Utilise five decades of police operational expertise, and a Doctorate to enhance your training programme, address complex detection challenges, or craft bespoke scent work solutions for your organisation.

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  • Book titled "Scent Training for Every Dog" by Dr Robert Hewings with a close-up of a dog's nose on the cover.

    Online Learning

    Dive deeper than the book! Our online courses bring Dr. Rob's methods to life with video demonstrations, real-world scenarios, and expert guidance at your own pace.

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  • A dog with brown and white fur, long ears, and a harness, standing on a staircase with a white lattice railing, looking ahead with an alert expression.

    What Can We Do For You?

    Whether you're starting your scent work journey or building a professional career. We'll give you world-class training, proven methods, and the confidence to succeed at every level

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  • A dog with fluffy fur standing on a dark floor next to a person, illuminated by a small lantern on the ground. The person is wearing black shoes and a skirt with red and black lace details.

    Our Murder Mysteries

    Step into a thrilling whodunit where your dog is the lead investigator! Our Murder Mystery events combine real scent work skills with edge-of-your-seat storytelling.

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The College of Scent Dogs offers much more than our excellent City & Guilds Programmes. From exciting canine murder mysteries to the best training equipment and lively workshops across the country, we have everything you need. We are continually developing new courses to support your professional progress. Led by award-winning author Dr Robert Hewings, we will support you every step of your scent work journey.

Our comprehensive training sharpens your skills, accelerates your growth, and transforms your business with high-demand services. Add scent detection, mantrailing, and tracking to your expertise and become the specialist everyone seeks. This isn't just learning new techniques; it's unlocking your dog’s potential that will energise your passion and elevate your business to amazing new heights.

We are your scent work partners, offering you so much more.

sniffer dog with The College of Scent Dogs searching a steam train

Success stories from our training community

  • I've already completed the tracking course last year which was phenomenal, and was perfect for my rescue dog. This year I'm doing scent detection with my blind rescue and, yes, another phenomenal course...

    Lou.

  • Exceptional training- A huge boost for my business! Dr Rob and the team's increadible knowledge and expertise in scent detection are second to none, and the training methods have completely transformed my dogs abilities.

    Hanna (Happy Dog Mum!)

  • I cannot believe how much HydroTrailing has improved my mantrailing Classes, it makes such a difference. Thank you Karen ben and Hollie...

    Amanda B.

  • I highly recommend the College of Scent Dogs Mantrailing course. From the start, I felt I was in the right place. The venue is outstanding, blending real-world environments with structured training areas. The facilities maximise learning for dogs and humans. A major highlight was the new HydroTrailing method-WOW!

    Hollie.

  • We went back in time, for a brilliant, exceptional, the best Murder Mystery! Steampunk, steam trains, ghost trains and the greatest time shared with wonderful people. I'm back next year.... It was the best search experience ever, and I have been to quite a few competitions, but this! It's another level.

    Anna.

  • I've just finished my City & Guilds Scent Detection Dog Handler & Instructor course with Rob, Karen, Ben and Jenny. This course was amazing, I've done other trainer courses (Names removed) but these are the BEST! As The College of Scent Dogs have exceeded all expectations.

    Emma.