A Little More About Us
With a wealth of experience, and the highest academic qualifications, we offer an unmatched level of expertise in our field.
Our team! Revolutionising scent detection - where passion meets expertise and ordinary dogs become extraordinary!
Dr Robert Hewings BSc. MA. D/Prof
With 30 years of elite service at the London Metropolitan Police and a Doctorate in Professional Practice, Dr. Hewings isn't just teaching scent detection – he's revolutionising it. As the driving force behind The College of Scent Dogs, he combines real-world expertise with cutting-edge academic insights to create the next generation of scent detection specialists.
A two-time bestselling author and passionate educator, Dr. Hewings transforms complex scent work into engaging, practical learning experiences. His unique approach blends hands-on training with reflective practice, empowering both handlers and their four-legged partners to reach their full potential.
Whether you're starting your journey in scent detection or advancing your skills, Dr. Hewings' dynamic teaching style and unparalleled expertise make him the go-to authority in canine scent detection training.
Karen Caton-Hewings
Karen has extensive proven operational experience as a search dog handler. She served the London Metropolitan Police for 30 years and specialised in working and training explosive search dogs. Karen has firsthand experience in dealing with the aftermath of terror attacks, protecting the Royal Family, and government property, and ensuring high-level security requirements in and around London.
Karen has unequivocally established herself as an exceptional scent-detection dog trainer during her tenure at The College of Scent Dogs. She has earned the well-deserved reputation of being the "Best kept secret in the pet dog scent detection training community." As the head of our training team, we are thrilled to have her on board and confident that her comprehensive expertise will be advantageous to all our students.
Ben Poole BA.
Ben brings dynamic energy and expertise to his role as an instructor at the College of Scent Dogs, where he specialises in scent detection and Mantrailing. With over a decade of hands-on experience training pet dogs and their families and engaging in behavioural consultations, Ben seamlessly combines practical knowledge with academic understanding to make dog training accessible and effective. His credentials include accreditation from the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers (IMDT) and certification as an Easy Peasy Puppy Instructor.
What sets Ben apart is his distinctive "punk rock vibe" and sharp humour, which create an engaging and welcoming learning environment for both humans and their canine companions. His person-centred approach, coupled with a commitment to contemporary and ethical training methods, ensures that every client feels empowered and supported. Ben's profound empathy and dedication to inclusive training make him a standout instructor who delivers results while keeping the experience enjoyable for all involved.
Hollie McAuley-Jones BSc. MSc.
Hollie is a dedicated instructor at the College of Scent Dogs, specialising in scentwork, tracking, and mantrailing. With a strong educational background in Zoology and a Master's in Wildlife Management and Conservation, Hollie brings a unique combination of scientific knowledge and practical experience to her teaching. Her expertise in animal behaviour, gained from working with big cats, adds a fascinating dimension to her instruction, particularly when explaining tracking behaviours and animal movement patterns. As a member of the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers, Hollie maintains the highest standards of professional practice.
Hollie's enthusiasm for sharing knowledge and developing the potential in every dog and handler team makes her an invaluable member of our teaching staff. Her classes are known for their positive atmosphere and thorough approach to developing reliable scent detection skills. With a perfect blend of scientific knowledge and practical experience, Hollie creates an engaging and effective learning environment that unlocks the potential in every dog and guardian.
Jenny Dyer.
Jenny brings over 25 years of dedicated expertise in pet dog scentwork training to the College of Scent Dogs, where her infectious enthusiasm and deep understanding of canine olfactory capabilities have helped countless teams flourish. As an accomplished scent detection competitor and judge, she has developed a keen eye for the subtle nuances that make the difference between good and exceptional performance, allowing her to guide her students with precision and insight.
A proud member of the Pet Professional Guild and specialist scentwork trainer, Jenny's commitment to positive training methods creates an environment where both dogs and handlers can thrive with confidence. Her greatest joy comes from witnessing the transformation of her teams as they progress from tentative beginners to accomplished searchers, working in harmony and achieving excellent standards. Jenny's practical experience, combined with her warm and encouraging teaching style, ensures that every team receives the individual attention and support they need to reach their full potential in the fascinating world of scent detection.