It has been long established that the dog can provide many health benefits to mankind, in guide work, assistance and therapy work, even education. With our world becoming ever-more stressful and mental health more understandable and common place, we are now beginning to talk about and discuss those things that only a generation ago were seen as ‘best kept quiet’

How can we now train and allow our canine partner to help us assist those who suffer mental health issues?  As a retired police dog trainer of over twenty five years, and now an assistance dog trainer, I wish to take you on a personal journey that highlights the amalgamation of two very different training disciplines - A brief description of how scent work can be used to combat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

• Identify the advantages of the human/dog dyad as an aid to wellbeing
• Understand the methodology of anxiety alert 
• Apply the value of scent dog training within the assistance dog world 
• Realize the importance of ‘multi-agency’ methods of training
• Know the ‘golden-thread’ of therapy/assistance dog training dog training

Robert Hewings is a highly experienced, qualified Canine Trainer and Management Consultant with a solid background in the design, development and delivery of bespoke programs for pet and service dog training institutions. He is also a qualified pet dog behavioral consultant. Rob is a part-time lecturer at Bishop Burton College (Hull University) U.K., where he specializes in Canine Training and Behavior, and Bergin University California USA, where his subjects include scent training for the Assistance Dog.

Following on from an exemplary career as a dog handler and dog trainer with the Metropolitan Police spanning a 30-year period, he has now taken the decision to follow his passion, and channel his experience into ‘Training and coaching dogs, to help their people!’

To realize this ambition, alongside his varied experience as a Police Dog Instructor, Rob began a learning journey that was to become life changing, not only for himself but for others. His academic career started with a BSc in Canine Behaviour and Training, then an MA in Professional Practice Police Dog Training, and he is now engaged in a Doctorate of Professional Practice Service Dog Training, where two leading projects within the doctorate have been:

• Ambient scent can affect the emotional learning and memory of the dog,  how  this be used to benefit the successful placement of the assistance dog?
• Human anxiety attacks, nightmares and night terrors. Is there a scent cue for the assistance dog?
  

Rob has designed and developed a training program where the scent cue is a unique step forward in the training of the Assistance Dog for Anxiety attacks, and in providing comfort and support when the handler is suffering nightmare or night terrors.

Rob is the education consultant with the International Working Dog Association, a board member of Southern Diabetic Retrievers Louisiana USA, where his training programs and course design are being used in diabetic alert. He is currently engaged in the design, development and instruction of an epileptic seizure alert training program working in partnership with a local authority. The methodology for this canine training is based upon his knowledge and experience within search and assistance dog training.

Presented by Robert Hewings

CEUs: PPAB 1.5, CCPDT 1.5

Canine-scent work is becoming more popular by the day.

“How do we start? Where can we get the equipment from? What scent should we use? How do we introduce a new scent? What are the progressive steps? How do we problem solve?”

These are just a few questions that are asked time and time again, encouraging Rob to share his knowledge and bring in coaching techniques that can help you and your clients.

Learning Objectives:

1. A few mnemonics for scent-work

2. How we can start with Classical or Operant Conditioning

3. How we can apply conceptual learning to our training for development and problem-solving

4. How we can ‘think outside the box’ to help with student development

5. How adult learning can be developed by coaching techniques

Your Presenter

Rob Hewings is a highly experienced Canine Trainer, who retired from the Metropolitan Police after his 30 years’ service, 25 of which was as a Police Dog Handler. The final ten years as a full-time trainer with the Metropolitan Police Dog Training Establishment. He has enhanced this experience with a BSc (Canine Training and Behaviour) MA (Professional Practice Police Dog Training) and is presently engaged Doctorate of Professional Practice (PhD) Canine Scent Detection. Rob has instructed all police canine disciplines from puppy training through to specialist search (explosives and narcotics), from training the General-Purpose Police Dog onto firearms support (SWAT support dogs).

Rob is the head trainer at the newly established UK College of Scent Detection, and has lectured at Bishop Burton College, (Canine Training and Behaviour). Rob is also involved in research programmes for ‘ambient scent’, enhancing canine learning, and continuing research into scent alert for nightmares and night terrors, particularly within PTSD. He is a board member for Southern Diabetic Retrievers Louisiana USA, where his training programmes and course design are being used for Diabetic Alert Assistance Dogs.

As a qualified Canine Behaviourist Rob knows the importance of a positive training schedule with the dogs he trains and the people he coaches. He wishes to share his love and experience of search training with people and their dogs. Witnessing the enjoyment, enthusiasm and excitement the dogs get from being engaged in the natural process of ‘nose-work’ has been his guilty pleasure for the last 25 years, long may this continue!!

The UK College of Scent Dogs 

 Scent Instructor Workshop

presented by Dr. Robert Hewings and Karen Hewings 

CEUs: Pending

Who is this program for?

Dog Training and Behavior Instructors that teach in a pet dog environment including, group classes, specialist workshops, private training and behavioral modification programs.

• This 5 day course is limited to 14 working spot attendees to ensure maximum attention and practical opportunities. 
• There are also 14 Auditor spots available for those who want to attend and  learn without their dog. Auditors do have a path to accreditation - see below
• Each day is split 50/50 theory/practical and is presented at a high level for dog training Instructors.
  
• Once booked, attendees will be contacted 3 weeks prior to the course to discuss target odors for the dogs to be trained on throughout the five days.
• The final day of the course includes prep and assessment to confirm knowledge gained and practical handling skills are of a standard to receive accreditation.
  
• Successful attendees, those with dogs, will receive certification signed off by The UK College Of Scent Dogs entitles ‘UKCSD Scent Instructor’

Author of the recently published ‘Introduction to Canine Scent-Work’ and head of learning and development for the UK College of Scent Detection, Dr Robert Hewings is a highly experienced Canine Trainer. He retired from the Metropolitan Police after 30 years’ exemplary service, twenty-five of which was as a Police Dog Handler, and the final nine years as a full-time trainer with the Metropolitan Police Dog Training Establishment. He has enhanced this experience with a BSc (Canine Training and Behaviour), MA (Professional Practice Police Dog Training) and a Doctorate of Professional Practice (PhD) Canine Scent Detection. Rob has instructed all police canine-search disciplines including explosive search and narcotics, supporting this with practical experience gained in London, UK where he has supported many large events, including the 2012 Olympics, Wimbledon Tennis and protecting the Royal Family.

During his time at the prestigious Metropolitan Police Dog Training Establishment (2007-2016) Rob headed the training for SWAT dogs, and was active in the instruction and development of all aspects of Police Dog and Handler Training. He played an active role in the instruction and development of the ‘Canine Training Instructor’, authoring two training manuals, and designing coaching programs that have enhanced the effective performance of operational dog handlers.

After his retirement in 2016, Rob took on new challenges to complete his desire to learn, including lecturing at university (BSc Canine Behaviour and Training) where he specialized in ‘Assistance Dog Training’ and practical assistance dog training using scent-work within epilepsy-alert, diabetes-alert and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder alert. Along with writing his recently published book, Rob also attended Bergin University of Canine Studies where he gained a valuable insight into assistance dog training, particularly for PTSD sufferers.

Rob is now head of learning and development with the UK College of Scent Detection and has been invited to share his knowledge world-wide, lecturing in USA, Australia and Europe. He is presently engaged in writing two academic papers for enhancing scent detection and emotional learning in our dogs.

Rob truly understands the importance of a positive training schedule with the dogs he trains and the people he coaches. He wishes to share his love and experience of search training with you and your dog. Witnessing the enjoyment, enthusiasm and excitement the dogs get from being engaged in the natural process of ‘nose-work’ has been his guilty pleasure for the last 25 years. Long may this continue!

Workshop Location

This event is sponsored and hosted at the DogSmith Training Center & DogNostics Career Center. The facility is a 2000 square foot fully air-conditioned indoor training room on 24 acres, with Kings Lake as a backdrop. RVs are welcome but there is no water or power hookup. The confirmation email gives local accommodation details and directions to the facility.

9122 Kenton Road, Wesley Chapel. FL 33545

Please note our event refund policy. You can find it here 

Learn How to Train Dogs to Detect 

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Nightmares
Presented by Dr. Robert Hewings from the UK College of Scent Dogs

• What is required of a PTSD Assistance Dog?
  
• PTSD Case Studies
  
• How to Train For Pheremone Discrimination
  
• Training The Dog to Support Through Night Terrors
  
• Realistic Training Versus 'Pretend' Training
  
• Training Techniques, Skills and Methodologies
  
• Live Training Demonstrations
  
• Training The Dog To Support Through Daily Anxiety Attacks
  
• Using Scent Alerts For Early 'Warnings'
  

Your Workshop Instructor - Dr. Robert Hewings BSc MA

Author of the recently published ‘Introduction to Canine Scent-Work’ and head of learning and development for the UK College of Scent Detection, Dr Robert Hewings is a highly experienced Canine Trainer. He retired from the Metropolitan Police after 30 years’ exemplary service, twenty-five of which was as a Police Dog Handler, and the final nine years as a full-time trainer with the Metropolitan Police Dog Training Establishment. He has enhanced this experience with a BSc (Canine Training and Behaviour), MA (Professional Practice Police Dog Training) and a Doctorate of Professional Practice (PhD) Canine Scent Detection. Rob has instructed all police canine-search disciplines including explosive search and narcotics, supporting this with practical experience gained in London, UK where he has supported many large events, including the 2012 Olympics, Wimbledon Tennis and protecting the Royal Family.

During his time at the prestigious Metropolitan Police Dog Training Establishment (2007-2016) Rob headed the training for SWAT dogs, and was active in the instruction and development of all aspects of Police Dog and Handler Training. He played an active role in the instruction and development of the ‘Canine Training Instructor’, authoring two training manuals, and designing coaching programs that have enhanced the effective performance of operational dog handlers.

After his retirement in 2016, Rob took on new challenges to complete his desire to learn, including lecturing at university (BSc Canine Behaviour and Training) where he specialized in ‘Assistance Dog Training’ and practical assistance dog training using scent-work within epilepsy-alert, diabetes-alert and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder alert. Along with writing his recently published book, Rob also attended Bergin University of Canine Studies where he gained a valuable insight into assistance dog training, particularly for PTSD sufferers.

Rob is now head of learning and development with the UK College of Scent Detection and has been invited to share his knowledge world-wide, lecturing in USA, Australia and Europe. He is presently engaged in writing two academic papers for enhancing scent detection and emotional learning in our dogs.

Rob truly understands the importance of a positive training schedule with the dogs he trains and the people he coaches. He wishes to share his love and experience of search training with you and your dog. Witnessing the enjoyment, enthusiasm and excitement the dogs get from being engaged in the natural process of ‘nose-work’ has been his guilty pleasure for the last 25 years. Long may this continue!!

Workshop Location

This event is sponsored and hosted at the DogSmith Training Center & DogNostics Career Center. The facility is a 2000 square foot fully air-conditioned indoor training room on 24 acres, with Kings Lake as a backdrop. RVs are welcome but there is no water or power hookup. The confirmation email gives local accommodation details and directions to the facility.

9122 Kenton Road, Wesley Chapel. FL 33545