Scentventure is a lifestyle approach to dog training and behaviour. The Scent, Exploration and Environment Compass Points all feed into Partnership to create a supercharged bond that can withstand even the toughest of distractions. By spending fun, calm, quality time together, providing safety and opportunities for scent and exploration, Partnership is boosted automatically.
Often by adopting this lifestyle approach, the specific training and behavioural issues that you started with decrease. Your dog is no longer stressed, reactive or overaroused because their species-specific needs are being fulfilled. They’re having more fun, feeling more confident and your bond has improved because there’s trust.
This foundation course not only gives you the essential training skills you need for relaxing walks, but it will give you a deeper understanding of how your dog’s mind works so you know how to keep them calm and focused in any situation.
The recommended duration of this course is 8 weeks. We’ve given you the suggested time frame below. If it takes you longer, that’s absolutely fine – everyone works at their own pace.
Module 1
Suggested duration: 2 weeks
First we look at your dog’s overall stress levels and how to lower them. This may mean day to day lifestyle adjustments, or tweaks to the environment.
The first thing we have to do if we want to fix pulling, barking or lunging (whether it’s excitement or aggression) is reduce general stress. This is the key to calm behaviour.
Module 2
Suggested duration: 2 weeks
Stress reduction is ongoing throughout the Roadmap, but by now you should have made some headway so we’re moving on to the essential skills that every reactive or distracted dog needs to be able to do.
We begin with Practical techniques in the house – because if your dog is pulling, barking or lunging on walks, we need to start with what they’re getting up to at home.
Working on isolated training exercises is unlikely to result in those relaxed, stress free walks you deserve. A lifestyle approach is infinitely more efficient and effective in tackling training and behavioural problems.
Scentventure is exponentially greater than the sum of the parts. Apply any one of the activities and you will gain from it, but the real results come when they are applied in their entirety. In this stage you will learn and practice activities from each of the Compass Points.
Module 3
Suggested duration: 2 weeks
Another set of foundational tools – this time for walks.
Module 4
Suggested duration: 2 weeks
With the essential foundations in place, the Scentventure Guides will advise you what to work on next – this will be unique to each of you. Whether that’s reactivity, recall, or pulling on the lead – to name but a few common problems, a Scentventure Guide will direct you to the most useful course, courses or modules to do next. We spend 2 weeks at this stage to make sure you know exactly where to go from here.
So that’s your 8 week journey ahead. And remember, we’re with you every step of the way. If you ever feel stuck – reach out for support. We don’t know you’re struggling unless you tell us.
Ready? Let’s begin!