Scent Quest

Hello, I'm Zita, a certified scent detection instructor located in North Somerset.

My passion lies in all things nosework, particularly in its ability to forge stronger connections between people and their dogs.

14/02/2025

Before I started Scent Quest, I spent over a decade dedicated to improving the welfare of kenneled dogs. I earned a degree in animal welfare, researched kenneling conditions across the country, and worked hands-on as a shelter behaviourist. I saw firsthand how much some of these dogs struggle—how the stress of confinement, the lack of mental stimulation, and the uncertainty of their future can take a toll.

I also saw the incredible difference that enrichment can make. A moment of joy. A sense of purpose. A chance to be a dog again.

When I stepped away from working in shelters, it wasn’t because I stopped caring. If anything, it was the opposite. I just needed to find a way to help without burning myself out. That’s why I’ve started offering free enrichment sessions for shelter dogs at my venue. This is exactly the kind of setup I always wished I could provide in rescues, but shelters never had the time or resources to make it happen. Now, I finally can—but I need your help to keep it going.

Donations to the Rescue Scenter Fund make these sessions possible. They help cover the costs to give a shelter dog the chance to sniff, explore, and just be a dog, even if only for a little while. They give us a glimpse of who they really are beyond the walls of a kennel.

If you'd like to support this work, you can read more and donate here: scentquest.co.uk/donate
Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference.

And please, follow along on our page to see the happy faces and waggy tails of the dogs who have benefited.

Thanks for reading, and for believing in a better life for dogs in need.

Zita

P.S. Enrichment isn’t just for shelter dogs—it’s something every dog can benefit from. If you’d like to book a session for your own dog, you can find more info here: https://scentquest.co.uk/dog-enrichment-sessions

12/02/2025

Meet Buddy! 🐾

Mr. Buddy is a distinguished golden retriever gentleman who’s returning to the world of scentwork. He dabbled in nosework training a few years ago with cloves, and now he’s back to sharpen his skills—this time with gun oil.

In his very first session, we introduced him to the new odour, and he picked it up instantly. ✨ By the end of the session, he was already searching for it with confidence and giving beautiful indications. 🎯 Such a clever boy! Excited to see where his scentwork journey takes him next. 😊

10/02/2025

Yesterday we held two groups of workshops at Goblin Combe Lodge, with eight fantastic handlers working with eight different breeds! 🐕🐩🦮🐕‍🦺🐾

We had some brilliant searches in unique spaces—including a yurt, a maze of bunkbed-filled rooms, and one particularly tricky hide involving a vented door… or rather, two vented doors on opposite sides of the building! Watching the dogs problem-solve and work both sides to pinpoint the source was a real eye-opener.

A fantastic day of learning, teamwork, scentwork fun, and even a bit of cake! 🎂
Thanks everyone for coming, keep an eye out for more dates coming soon! 😊

05/02/2025

Congratulations to Sprout for passing his Foundation Level ORT this evening! 🥳🥳 He is hopefully the first of many Scent Quest dogs to start their journey with The National Nosework Association

If you're hoping to do your ORT or just generally get involved with the wonderful sport of scentwork, don't hesitate to get in touch!

We still two spots left on our NNA mock trial/workshop on February 23rd (https://ScentQuest.as.me/mocktrial) to prepare for our very first Foundation Level NNA Trial on March 9th! (https://ScentQuest.as.me/?appointmentType=73702458)

31/01/2025

🚨 Mock NNA Trial & Workshop – Sunday, Feb 23rd!

Want to test your dog’s scentwork skills in a new environment? Thinking about trying NNA scentwork competitions but not sure where to start? This is the perfect opportunity!

📍 Location: Goblin Combe Lodge (BS40 5PP)
🗓 Date: Sunday, February 23rd
🔎 Odour: Gun oil

Join us for a workshop & mock NNA trial where you’ll:
✅ Practice searches in a brand-new environment
✅ Learn how NNA competitions work
✅ Try out trial-style searches with no pressure
✅ Have the chance to complete your Odour Recognition Test (ORT)
✅ Get ready for our first official trial on March 9th!

Whether you're preparing for your first competition or just want to challenge your dog in a fun, supportive setting, this event is for you!

📩 Spaces are limited— booking link here: https://ScentQuest.as.me/mocktrial

Learn more about the The National Nosework Association here: https://thenationalnoseworkassociation.co.uk/trials/

28/01/2025

Training can be hard work, even for dedicated pups like Sirius! 🐾 That’s why it’s so important to schedule time for decompression and pure fun.

Sirius recently visited the “museum for dogs” for an enrichment session, and he loved exploring all the different scents and activities. From investigating new objects to following his nose wherever it led, this session was all about letting him unwind and just enjoy being a dog.

Sniffing isn’t just fun—it’s also a great way to reduce stress and provide mental stimulation.

And make sure you swipe to the last photo for a bonus look at Sirius post-session… completely zonked and falling out of his bed! 💤😂

Have you planned a decompression day for your dog lately? 💭🐶

08/01/2025

Happy gotcha/birthday week to my gorgeous girl! It’s been 8 years since I brought you home and you changed our lives forever ❤️ Looking forward to even more sniffy adventures with you as you now have 9 years worth of dog wisdom to share x

04/01/2025

🐾 Meet Luna! 🐾

Say hello to Luna, an energetic black lab who’s the latest addition to our scentwork training program! 🐶✨

Luna has lots of experience in high-impact dog sports like agility, but she’s now ready to put her amazing energy and intelligence into working her brain in a new way. Scent detection is the perfect challenge for this clever girl, and she’s already off to a fantastic start! 🌟

We’re excited to watch Luna excel in her nosework training. ☺️

30/12/2024

🐾 Meet Conker! 🐾

We’re excited to introduce Conker, a lovely cocker spaniel who recently joined our scentwork training at Scent Quest. ❤️

Conker can be a bit anxious at times, but she’s already showing great promise in her nosework sessions. By engaging in scent detection, Conker is building her confidence and finding a positive outlet for her energy. 🌟

We’re thrilled to have Conker with us and can’t wait to see her progress.

07/12/2024

Zeke is a stunning black lab bred from working lines. His strong retrieval instinct has been evident from the start of his scentwork training, where he was really motivated to bring back the hide whenever he found it, even if it meant trying to drag a whole pillar with it! Instead of curbing this natural drive, we harnessed it. Zeke has now learned that his lovely passive sit indication earns him fun retrieving games with his toys. Such a clever boy!

09/11/2024

Extra, extra, read all about it! 🗞️🗞️

I’m so thankful to be featured with Asha in today’s Western Daily Press as part of 😊

Thank you to for the lovely article and of course .reed.photography for the photos ❤️

I’m always grateful to be able to share Asha’s story and I hope it inspires people to get involved in nosework and scent enrichment with their own dogs 🐶🐾

01/11/2024

What a happy face 😄 Cassie the corgi had her intro to scentwork session this week and was such a joy to watch! One of the best parts about teaching nosework is getting to see such a variety of dogs enjoying the sport ☺️🐾

26/10/2024

Marty has joined us recently in scent club and has been smashing it 😄 I’m sure always being prepared with his bag of Very Important Things has helped! 🐶

14/10/2024

We’re back 😊

Thank you to everyone’s kind words and support while I took a bit of time off after my father-in-law’s passing ❤️

Classes have been back on for over a week now, but I’m only just getting around to posting some updates. There’s a lot to catch up on!

First up of course is the marvelous Meg, who at nearly 13 years old has been showing all the younger dogs how it’s done! It may be a retirement activity for her, but she still gives it her all 🥰

14/09/2024

Due to the sudden passing of my father-in-law, there will be no sessions for the next week. I have contacted all those who were already booked in, so if you haven't received anything, please check your spam/junk folders. For anyone sending enquiries about intro sessions etc, I will get back to you as soon as I can. Thank you all for your patience and support.

31/08/2024

Had the pleasure of meeting the delightful Zuki for her introduction to scentwork session recently. She's such a clever dog and I can't wait to see how she will progress. If her first session is any indication, she's going to be an amazing nosework dog! 🤩 🐾 🐶

30/08/2024

Last weekend we held another great Nosework Games (level 1) competition with six dogs taking part. We got lucky with the weather again after a very wet and windy morning. Thanks to everyone who came along, results are below:

Go To Source:
🥇 1st Ray & Turbo
🥈 2nd Rosie & Tide
🥉 3rd Nikki & Henry

No Going Back:
🥇 1st Rosie & Tide
🥈 2nd Nikki & Henry
🥉 3rd Elly & Otis

Needle in a Haystack:
🥇 1st Rosie & Tide
🥈 2nd Nikki & Henry
🥉 3rd Judy & Finn

Overall:
🥇 1st Rosie & Tide
🥈 2nd Nikki & Henry
🥉 3rd Ray & Turbo
🏅4th Elly & Otis

Good job, everyone! 😊

(Next one is September 14th - available on the booking page 😉)

03/08/2024

Did you know dogs sleep best under a wall of rosettes? 😴🐶🥇

Start earning your own, so you can see for yourself 😉

We’re hosting Level 1 Nosework Games on August 24th and September 14th - both available for booking now. There’s 12 rosettes up for grabs in each! 🐶🐶

Come give it a go! Your dog will thank you 🐶

👉book here: https://scentquest.as.me/schedule.php

Address

Congresbury
BS495JP

Telephone

+447354735886

Website

http://scentquest.co.uk/

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Videos

Pause, breathe, and let the sound of sniffing ground you 🧘😌🐶 #MindfulMoments #DogSniffing #Scentwork #DogsBeingDogs #Mindfulness #SniffAndRelax #ASMR #dogASMR #mindfulness #grounding #spaniel #labrador #dacshund #scentwall

Zeus had the best time at his enrichment session! From striking a perfect downward dog to snacking on healthy treats, he made the most of every moment. Playful, cuddly, and full of curiosity, he’s a wonderful dog still waiting for his forever home. These sessions are only possible thanks to generous donations, giving shelter dogs like Zeus a chance to explore, build confidence, and have fun. If you’d like to sponsor a session for a rescue dog, please consider donating through the link in the comments. And if Zeus sounds like your perfect match, check out his profile at Holly Hedge Animal Sanctuary ! ❤️ #RescueDog #adoptme #ShelterDog #HollyHedge #CanineEnrichment #dogenrichment #EnrichmentSessions #donate

Check out some of the amazing scentwork training sessions we've been hosting at our new venue recently. 🐶🔎 From beginner sniffers to advanced scent detection pros, we've been having a blast helping dogs hone their natural abilities.Scent detection training is not only fun but also incredibly beneficial for your dog's mental and physical well-being. It keeps their minds sharp and their bodies active, reducing stress and increasing happiness.Thank you for your continued support. We can't wait to see you and your pups in our new home! 🌟#ScentQuest #NewVenue #DogTraining #CanineEnrichment #ScentDetection #SniffingFun

🎉 New Year, New Adventures! 🎉 January is the perfect time to try something new at Scent Quest’s Museum for Dogs! 🐾 For this month only, enjoy 20% off our enrichment sessions. Let your dog dive into their world of smell, with over 100 different scents to discover, not to mention delicious treats too! 🐕 Start the year by giving your dog the gift of exploration, mental stimulation, and pure joy. Whether your dog is young, old, or needs a bit of extra care, they’ll benefit from the enriching environment we’ve created. 📅 Book now with code “NEWYEARTREAT” for 20% off! Booking link in the comments 😄 #NewYearNewAdventures #DogTraining #ScentQuest #MuseumForDogs #DogWellBeing #dogenrichment #EnrichmentSessions #CanineEnrichment #DogLovers

Look at that head swing back as soon as Turbo hits the odour 😍 and the beautiful indication as well! And a great speed from both dog and handler! What a team 🥹 Lovely to see a sighthound enjoying scentwork 🐾

Happy Halloween! The dogs certainly earned their treats from our spoooooky searches this week 🎃👻🕷️🕸️🦇🐁🧙‍♀️

Last week we had some lovely teams from Nosework Dogs come down to our neck of the woods to help me test out a new venue for workshops and trials. They were such fun to work with and we had some great searches! 🐶 🐾 Can't wait to run more events at this cool place (details still under wraps for now 🤫), so keep an eye out! 👀 #nosework #scentwork #dogsofinstagram #scenttraining #dogsports #DogTraining #dogenrichment #scentworkforeverydog #detectiondogs #NorthSomerset #dogshavingfun #dogsdoingthings #noseworkdog #sh*tzu #staffordshirebullterrier

Some great progress from all the dogs over July! Love seeing how much everyone is improving with each session 😄🐶🐾☺️ #nosework #dogsofinstagram #scentwork #scentworkforeverydog #dogsports #DogTraining #NorthSomerset #scenttraining #clevedon #spaniel #dogenrichment #detectiondogs #recap #dogshavingfun

Asha’s journey through physiotherapy has been a long one. Four years ago, she faced her first major lumbosacral episode, unable to walk or stand properly. For the past three years, Chapel Farm has been our go-to for physio and hydrotherapy, guiding us through her recovery. With their expertise, we’ve seen significant improvement in her back pain and even recovery from a cruciate injury. Sadly, Chapel Farm is closing their doors for good later this week, and we’ll have our final hydrotherapy session on their last day. A heartfelt thank you to all the wonderful staff who’ve cared for Asha, teaching us exercises to do at home. Their support has enabled us to continue our scentwork adventures and return to competing. Asha’s physical rehabilitation and scentwork progression have gone hand in hand over the years, and in fact has been part of the reason that I started Scent Quest - to share the power of nosework for dogs that may be struggling with physical restrictions and the frustrations that can come with them. Thank you to everyone dedicated to improving the lives of these amazing dogs. ❤️

Our vibe is sniffing out a good time for your dogs 😎 Come and join us if you think scentwork is awesome. Club sessions Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings, 121s and introductory sessions by appointment. Message me for more info 😄 #scentworkforeverydog #scentwork #nosework #dogtraining #clevedon #scenttraining #dogsports #NorthSomerset #dogsdoingthings

How amazing is Eddie?! This was such a nice email to receive the other day 😊 Just goes to show how scent training can be used in the “real world” not just in class. Has your dog ever sniffed out a lost item?