Kemble's Field
Scentwork for Beginners Evening Course with Sam Negus
Scentwork for Beginners Evening Course with Sam Negus
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Build your dog’s scentwork skills from the ground up in a fun, supportive environment
If you’ve ever been curious about scentwork, whether you're looking to enrich your dog’s life or lay the groundwork for future scentwork progression, this course will give you everything you need to get started in the most positive, engaging way.
Our Beginners Scentwork evening course, led by Sam Negus, will be held on Thursday evenings at Kemble's Field in Charlton, near Evesham, Worcestershire.
Open to dogs of all breeds, all ages and all abilities, the course has been carefully designed to help you build a strong foundation in scent detection using kind, reward-based methods that create confidence and enthusiasm in your dog.
Over six in-person sessions, plus a handler-only introduction, you’ll explore how dogs use their incredible noses and how to set them up for scenting success, whether you're training for fun or future progression.
Using a series of fun, force-free, reward-based games and exercises, the Beginners Scentwork course will show you how to train behaviours such as…
- Creating a positive emotional connection to the scent – so your dog is excited and motivated to search.
- Understanding how your dog uses scent – and how you can support them as a handler.
- Introducing your dog to their odour kit – in a calm, confidence-building way using ACE Free Work.
- Teaching your dog a structured search pattern – with linear searching to build focus and reliability.
- Reading your dog’s body language – so you can understand when they’ve found the scent.
- Building scenting confidence around new objects and environments – helping your dog to become more independent and consistent.
- Exploring more complex search scenarios – including obstacles, scent stamina and realistic setups.
- Finishing with a relaxed, no-pressure scenario search – a chance to celebrate your progress with no test, just fun.
What's included in the Scentwork Beginners Evening Course:
- There will be 7 weeks in total, comprising 6 x dog training sessions and 1 x handler-only theory session.
- Each session lasts 2 hours, and you will be in a small group of up to 6 handlers and dogs to allow for more personalised feedback (early booking is strongly recommended).
- There will be ongoing support in between classes via a dedicated WhatsApp group for the duration of the course.
- All students will receive a Prep Kit before the course, which will include two bowls, Napier Gun Oil, cotton pads and a dropper bottle.
Not sure if this course is right for you and your dog? Please email hello@kemblesfield.co.uk
FAQs
What shall I bring for my dog?
Please ensure you bring with you suitable training gear for your dog, such as a harness and 6ft lead for searching. A flat collar will be ok, but please no slip leads to ensure your dog is not restricted when searching.
Please bring with you your dog's favourite toy / ball, and a large quantity of high value treats. You might want to choose something that your dog would not normally have as a meal, e.g. cheese, sausage, cooked heart, liver, dried fish, garlic sausage, or chicken. Please chop a portion quite big that will easily be found and avoid anything crumbly to keep the search areas clean and free from food distractions.
You will also need a clicker, as well as all the usual dog stuff such as poo bags, water bowl etc.
In the summer there is limited shade so you will need to bring something to cover the car, although the dogs will not be expected to spend long periods in there.
What will I need for me / other handlers?
You will need comfortable clothes and shoes. Please keep the weather in mind and bring layers if you think you might get cold, or if it is raining.
Refreshments will be provided throughout the day, but you will need to bring your own lunch if it’s an all day event. You will be able to use our kitchen facilities including a microwave, toaster and fridge.
I can no longer attend, what shall I do?
Please email hello@kemblesfield.co.uk as soon as you are aware you will be unable to make it. If you are cancelling on the day, please contact your instructor Sam as well as emailing on 07546 531986
Please familiarise yourself with our cancellation policies before booking they can be found here: Terms of service
How do I get there?
Directions to Kemble's Field, Charlton, Worcestershire, WR10 3LQ.
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The postcode does not take you right to the door so please read the directions before setting off.
Follow Ryden Lane from the village of Charlton, drive past Whitehouse Farm on the left, through the national speed limit sign on the right-hand side, and then take the first track on the left. You will see a sign for Clicker Gundog. Drive down this track to the end and the entrance to the field is on the right-hand side. If you missed the track and reached the purple house you have gone too far, turn round and retrace your steps until you reach a track on the right-hand side, turn right here.
If you arrive early, the gate might still be locked. Please wait in the lane for your instructor to arrive.
Otherwise, please drive through the gates (and if they are closed, please close them again behind you) and park in the car park outside the building on the right.
Toilet facilities are in the building and will be open on arrival.
What do I do when I arrive?
After you have parked your vehicle, please come into the barn initially without your dog.
If it is a warm day, please cover your car first and open any doors / windows to ensure your dog is both secure but has ventilation. Dogs will not be expected to stay / wait in cars if it is hot and dangerous for them to do so.
If you have had a long journey, you are welcome to toilet your dog before coming into the barn. Please keep them on a lead as other training sessions might be in progress and keep to the edges of the field.
You MUST pick up all of your dog’s poo please, which must be bagged and put into the bins provided. Please supply your own poo bags and do not put any unbagged poo directly in the bin.
About Sam Negus
Your instructor Sam has worked with dogs in various roles since 2004, previously working at rescue and boarding kennels and as a Guide Dog Puppy Raiser.
In 2020, when the pandemic force the temporary closure of her independent cinema, Sam decided to retrain as a dog trainer and start her own dog training business.
Sam is a qualified animal training instructor with the ABTC and also an accredited gundog training instructor with the Gundog Trainer's Academy. Sam is currently enrolled on the City & Guilds-assured Scent Detection Dog Handler & Instructor course with the College of Scent Dogs.
She now teaches puppies, basic obedience, fun pet gundog classes and scentwork.