Unlocking Your Dog’s Natural Superpower

What if your dog’s greatest superpower was already switched on… just waiting to be used?

For the fourth year running, The Scentwork Hub returns to Edition Dog Live, and each year it’s met with the same incredible sight, wagging tails, curious minds, and plenty of wet noses sniffing out the fun. It’s one of those spaces where something quietly powerful happens, dogs step into what they were always designed to do.

Mandy Rigby, scent work instructor and founder of Canine Scentwork Academy passion has always been to help people see their dogs differently. Not as “just pet dogs”, but as capable, thinking beings with extraordinary noses.

Scent work taps into the dog’s primary sense, their sense of smell. It’s how they interpret the world. Long before we ever asked dogs to sit, stay, or walk nicely on a lead, they were navigating life through scent. When we give that ability a job, something shifts. It becomes mentally enriching, deeply rewarding, and incredibly satisfying for the dog.

That’s exactly what you will experience at Scentwork Hub.

Across two full days this year, 17th and 18th October 2026, at NAEC Stoneleigh (Hall 2), Coventry, the Academy will be bringing even more opportunities for dogs and their handlers to get involved. Whether you are completely new or already training in scent work, everyone is welcome.

In the “Have a Go” area, you and your dog will be guided through a search experience by a member of the Canine Scentwork Academy team. This isn’t about getting it “right”, it’s about watching your dog think, problem-solve, and begin to understand the game. For many owners, it’s an opportunity to truly observe just how capable their dog is when given the space to work things out.

And if your dog is already trained on a scent, we haven’t forgotten you. There will be a dedicated area where you can work your dog on their specific target odour, allowing you to continue your training even within the buzz of a live event. It’s a chance to challenge your dog in a new environment, build resilience, and strengthen your partnership.

One of the greatest strengths of scent work is that it truly is for every dog. Young or old, pedigree or mixed breed, confident or cautious, they can all take part and succeed. There’s no requirement for speed, athleticism, or perfect obedience. This is about thinking, searching, and discovering.

As dogs search, they begin to build confidence in themselves. They learn to work through challenges, remain focused despite distractions, and make independent choices. Over time, many owners notice changes beyond the search itself, their dogs become more settled, more resilient, and more fulfilled in everyday life.

But the transformation does not just happen in the dog. Scent work strengthens the connection between dog and handler in a very unique way. It teaches us to slow down and observe, to notice the smallest shifts in body language, the subtle changes that tell us what our dog is experiencing. Trust grows both ways. The dog learns their human is part of the game, and the human learns to trust their dog’s nose.

And this year, with the event falling in October, there is an added extra layer of fun,  A Halloween-themed sniffy experience will bring a playful twist to the searches. As your dog follows the scent picture, will they uncover tricks… or treats? Whatever they find, the real reward lies in the experience itself, the thinking, the engagement, and the joy of doing what comes naturally.

Canine Scentwork Academy’s strongest message has always been that scentwork isn’t about perfection. It’s about partnership, purpose, and joy.

And the best part? It’s accessible to everyone. You do not need specialist equipment, and you do not need a highly trained dog to begin. It is something you can take home, build on, and weave into everyday life, turning simple moments into meaningful ones.

So, if you are visiting Edition Dog Live this year, come and find us at Scentwork Hub, step into the search space and watch your dog work. See what happens when you allow them to use their superpower. You may just leave seeing your dog in a completely different way.

Every dog is welcome. Every nose matters.

Mandy Rigby Founder and Head Instructor - Canine Scentwork Academy

www.scentworkacademy.co.uk

07745 419030