Truffle Dog Discovery Day | Train, Taste & Forage with Truffle Forager
South Downs · Summer 2026

Truffle Dog
Discovery Days

An immersive day for dog owners, food lovers and the truffle-curious — hosted by Ben Sweet.

  • Hands-on truffle dog training with real scent
  • A multi-course gourmet truffle lunch
  • Expert talks and a real woodland have-a-go challenge
★★★★★ 4.8 average across 18 Google reviews
A Truffle Dog Discovery Day in the South Downs
★★★★★ 4.8 average across 18 Google reviews · Hosted by Ben Sweet, certified truffle dog trainer · Real wild truffles, not synthetic oil
Train · Taste · Explore

Step into the world of truffle hunting.

This is your chance to discover what truffle hunting actually feels like — where to find them, how to train your dog to sniff them out, and the small details that separate a fun walk from a real find.

You'll spend the day in a stunning woodland setting alongside Ben Sweet and the Truffle Forager team. Whether you bring your dog or come along to taste, learn and watch — you'll go home with insider knowledge and a brand new appreciation for the British truffle.

See Upcoming Days →
A truffle dog sniffing a training tin during a Discovery Day
Who it's for

Whether you have a dog or not — this day is for you.

A small-group day, deliberately mixed: handlers, foodies, foragers and the just-curious. No experience required.

A group on a Truffle Dog Discovery Day in the South Downs

Dog owners & trainers

If your dog has boundless energy, an inquisitive nose or a need to be challenged — this is the perfect introduction to fun, rewarding scentwork.

Food lovers

Taste fresh, wild truffles in gourmet dishes prepared on-site, and discover what makes the real thing so different from anything in a jar.

Foraging enthusiasts

Explore sustainable truffle foraging, forest ecology and the conditions that make the British woodland one of Europe's hidden truffle frontiers.

Curious adventurers

Love finding hidden gems in nature? This is a unique, unforgettable day out — you don't need a dog and you don't need any prior knowledge.

No previous experience required — just bring your enthusiasm.

What to Expect

A day of discovery, learning and incredible flavours.

Five carefully built moments, all in one inspiring day in the South Downs.

01 · Workshop

Intro to truffle dog training

A hands-on introduction with fun scent games and guided exercises, perfect for beginners. Dog & handler attendees go home with real training truffles.

02 · Challenge

Truffle dog have-a-go

Put your dog's brand new skills to the test in a fun, friendly challenge — designed to feel like the real thing without the pressure.

03 · Lunch

Gourmet truffle feast

A multi-course lunch built around fresh, real truffles — not synthetic oil — served in a relaxed, communal setting in the countryside.

04 · Talks

Expert truffle conversations

Sit down with seasoned hunters for honest, behind-the-scenes insights into foraging, training and the future of UK truffle conservation.

05 · Woodland

Real truffle woodland visit

Take what you've learned out into a real working truffle woodland — putting theory, technique and your dog's new skills into practice. Available on selected Discovery Days only — check the booking page for details.

06 · Take Home

Your kit & next steps

Real training truffles for handlers, a clear path for what to do next at home, and an invitation to the wider Truffle Forager community.

It isn't just a workshop — it's an experience designed to engage all your senses.

A Feast of Truffles

More than a training day — a full truffle dining experience.

Enjoy a multi-course lunch with lots of fresh truffles. Expect beautifully crafted plates that celebrate the depth, aroma and luxury of real truffle — served fresh and made on-site.

  • Multiple freshly cooked courses, each one featuring seasonal truffles
  • A relaxed, communal dining experience in the countryside
  • Vegetarian options available — please let us know when booking
Come for the training. Stay for the feast.
A plated truffle dish from a Discovery Day lunch
From the woodland

Watch a Discovery Day, in two minutes.

Hear from people who've already been — and see exactly what a day in the South Downs actually looks like.

What past attendees say

Honest words from previous Discovery Days.

★★★★★

"A great day of learning the basics of truffle dog training, accompanied by some lovely food and a like-minded group of people. I thoroughly recommend doing this course."

— Justin Prichard
★★★★★

"My dog and I had a great session together, learning about truffle hunting and how to train my dog to find it fun to help me search. Ben and the gang are so genuine in their passion to share the lost art of truffle hunting here in the UK. Definitely worth attending."

— Lesley Provan
★★★★★

"Such a fun day learning to hunt truffles with Ben and his team. My little dog Leonard was totally engaged and hopefully we'll be mastering the hunt before too long. Ben is super knowledgeable, the people were all lovely and the lunch was delicious and very truffly."

— Emma Collins
★★★★★

"Ben is not just passionate and knowledgeable, he is very calm and caring. Ben truly understands dogs. His delivery of training is clear, constructive and positive."

— The National Dog Training Academy
Your Host

Meet your trainer.

Ben Sweet — founder of Truffle Forager and one of the UK's most experienced truffle dog teachers.

Ben Sweet, founder of Truffle Forager

Ben Sweet

IMDT OCN-certified dog trainer · Founder, Truffle Forager

Ben is the founder of Truffle Forager and co-founder of both the UK Truffle Festival and the UK Truffle Dog Championships. He specialises in helping dog owners train their dogs to hunt truffles using his proven BSH Truffle Dog Training System, and runs the Truffle Dog Club — a growing community where truffle hunters connect, share and accelerate their journey into the wild truffle world.

Practical Info & Booking

Everything you need to know.

Very limited spaces We only run a couple of Truffle Dog Discovery Days each year, and Dog & Handler tickets are capped at just 8 places per day. First come, first served — they tend to sell out fast.
Available Dates Summer 2026
Location West Sussex (exact location shared after purchase)
Group Size Capped at 8 dog & handler pairs
Book Your Spot →

Limited spaces — these small-group days fill up quickly. Prices may vary on the booking page.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions.

Yes. If you don't have a dog or aren't able to bring yours, you can attend as a Spectator. You'll observe the training workshops, enjoy the food, sit in on the talks and experience the day fully.
Not at all. We welcome complete beginners — this Discovery Day is designed primarily for novice dogs and handlers.
For dogs and handlers, we recommend bringing water for you and your dog, a long line (non-retractable), and some tasty treats your dog loves. Ideally a treat pouch or jacket with easy-access pockets too — quick access to rewards keeps the training flowing. Zip-lock plastic bags tend to slow the process down.
  • Hands-on truffle dog training — introducing your dog to real truffle scent
  • The truffle dog have-a-go challenge
  • A multi-course gourmet lunch built around fresh truffles
  • Expert truffle talks from seasoned hunters
  • Insight into our truffle re-wilding work
  • Real training truffles to take home (handlers only)
Your host is Ben Sweet — founder of Truffle Forager, co-founder of the UK Truffle Festival and the UK Truffle Dog Championships, and a certified truffle dog trainer with years of hands-on experience leading days in the field.
Yes. We schedule rest periods throughout the day, and water bowls and shaded areas are always available.
You can — but you'd be missing out on our incredible fresh truffle dishes, which are a big part of why people come.
Refunds are available up to 14 days after purchase, or you can defer your ticket to a future date instead. Outside of this window, refunds are offered on a discretionary basis.
Reserve your spot

Spend a day in the woods. Go home a truffle hunter.

Small-group, hands-on and built around the dog. Spaces are limited and tend to sell out fast.

Book Your Spot →

Hunt together. Bond forever.

JOIN TODAY!

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