Helping Dogs and Owners Connect through Scentwork

I'm Melissa. I started Scent and Sniff Dogs Cornwall because I believe every dog deserves the opportunity to use their natural abilities, build confidence, and experience the joy of doing what they were born to do – using their nose.

I am passionate about helping dogs of all ages, breeds, and temperaments discover the benefits of scentwork. Whether you have a reactive dog who struggles in busy environments, a nervous dog who needs confidence building, an older dog looking for gentle mental stimulation, or simply a dog who loves having a job to do, scentwork provides a rewarding and pressure-free outlet.

Making Dogs Happy

Unlike many dog activities, scentwork allows dogs to work at their own pace. There is no pressure to perform, no physical demands, and no competition. Dogs learn to make choices, solve problems, and succeed through their incredible sense of smell, building confidence with every search.

But scentwork is about more than finding hidden scents. It creates opportunities for owners and dogs to work together as a team. Time and again, I see owners discover new ways to understand their dogs, read their body language, and develop a deeper connection built on trust and communication.

Nothing makes me happier than watching a dog light up with excitement when they realise they can succeed, and seeing the pride on an owner's face as they celebrate those achievements together.

My learning and experience

I am a certified UK Sniffer Dogs Gold Level Instructor and a CIDBT Advanced Level Training Instructor, and I am also a member of the Guild of Dog Trainers. Recently, I had the privilege of working with my dog Morse to give a presentation at the Networking Day with CIDBT and the Guild of Dog Trainers at the Royal Kennel Club, which was a fantastic opportunity to share my passion for scentwork and continue learning alongside others in the field.

As a committed scentwork instructor, I continue to invest in my own education and development. I am currently furthering my training under the guidance of Louise Wilson at Conservation K9 Consultancy. Louise is a highly experienced scentwork trainer and mentor whose knowledge and expertise are helping me deepen my understanding of canine scent detection, learning, and behaviour. This ongoing learning allows me to better support every dog and owner who joins me on their scentwork journey.

My aim is simple: to help dogs feel fulfilled, confident, and happy while helping owners build stronger, more rewarding relationships with their dogs.