Truffle Dog Training
I offer private one on one tuition either at your house or via video chat with three course levels; Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. I run each session over 4 weeks during the off season (September-April).
It works best when I visit the owner/dog team and can explain the course work and demonstrate in person. However, I can run the sessions online via video chats. With both in person and remote, I encourage the owner to send me through videos to assess, provide feedback and tips for further progress over the month.
I assess your dog to see what level they are at and recommend which course you would start at. I provide a week-by-week list of tasks to complete and require videos of the training to be sent through for me for reviewing and provide feedback. I then customize the training manual throughout the 4 weeks depending on how your dog is progressing through the course work.
There are multiple aspects to the costs of this course:
Assessment of dog skills, course work and truffle training equipment.
2 Hours: Private one on one assessment, general discussion about your dog, explanation of course work, practical demonstrations with my professional truffle dog and demonstrations of training with your dog.
1.5-2 hours: Video reviewing, detailed feedback and customization of the course depending on your dog’s progression over the 4 weeks.
As I watch the videos I time stamp at what second certain events occur during a search. This is so the owner can go back through the videos (sometimes in slow motion if the dog works fast) and notice a few extra things their dog did and their body language. I explain why these moments are important to see and understand in real truffle hunting.
If the owner prefers, the 1.5-2 hours of video reviewing can be put towards multiple short in person practical. There are travel costs associated with this however, so if the location is too far from Melbourne this may not be a feasible option.
The truffle training oil is imported from France and is specially developed truffle oil for training dogs. It's not the edible type of truffle oil. Every dog I have trained, including both of my own, has transitioned from this truffle training oil to real truffle instantly. Therefore, this is the only truffle training oil I use, as I trust it. If the owner has access to real truffle or frozen truffle then this can be used if preferred.
Course Breakdown:
Beginner: Introducing the Truffle Hunting Game: $700 (2025 rate)
Understanding Canine Olfaction (theory)
Understanding Canine Body Language (theory)
Learning to use their Nose
Pairing the Truffle Scent with Reward
Demonstrating pairing hides and handling odour
Troubleshooting: Difficulty knowing when your dog is on odour
2 hours in person/video call, 2 hours video footage reviewing detailed comments and course work = $700 + Travel (includes truffle hunting starter pack)
Additional Time Charged at $175/hour
Intermediate: Increasing the Difficulty for the Dog: $700 (2025 rate)
The Importance of Basic Obedience and Leadership (theory)
Searching with your dog to show me where you are at with current training and tips/feedback
Finding Truffle Without Paired Reward
Demonstrating unpaired hides and handling odour
Teaching “Show”
Increasing Focus with Distractions
Working on Marking Accuracy
2 hours in person/video call, 2 hours video footage reviewing detailed comments and course work = $700 + Travel
Additional Time Charged at $175/hour
Advanced: Increasing the Difficulty for Human/Canine Team: $700 (2025 rate)
Understanding Truffles: Growth, Rip Line, Reinoculation, How To Dig, Preserving) (theory)
Understanding Truffle odour and how it reacts with the environment (theory)
Searching with your dog to show me where you are at with current training and tips/feedback
Challenging the Trainer with Blind Hides
Observing a blind hide and handling of dog
Increasing Search Confidence in Variable Conditions
Maintaining Marking Accuracy and Focus with Distractions
Optional Party Trick
Common Issues
2 hours in person/video call, 2 hours video footage reviewing detailed comments and course work = $700 + Travel
Additional Time Charged at $175/hour
2-hour Refresher Sessions: $400 + Travel (Rate for 2025)
Truffle hunting starter pack: $65 (Includes postage within Australia). Doesn't include instructions on how to train dog. Please look at my truffle dog courses if interested in the course.
If you are interested in only some parts of the pack email me and I can send you a customized quote on price.
Email me if you are interest in purchasing Truffle hunting starter pack or part thereof.
Includes: Bum bag for quick access to treats/toys, plastic container, tins (2) and tubes (3) for truffle oil hides, plastic jars with lids (2) for real truffle hides, tweezers, cotton swabs, small vial of Educatruffe to use during the training period. Bum bag may differ slightly due to availability. Educatruffee is a dog training oil, it is not edible.
3D printed truffle (shown above) is not included in Truffle hunting starter pack. You can hide the truffle or scent of truffle and dig it into the ground to re-enact a truffle hunt. $26 + postage.
A full Educatruffe bottle 115mL: $45 + postage. I usually do a order of 3 or more bottles to reduced import shipping costs. It lasts for many years and you only use one drop at a time. Educatruffe is a dog training oil, it is not edible.
This is where I purchase it from:
