Truffle Dog
Discovery Days
A full day out for you and your dog. Train, eat fresh truffles and learn how truffle hunting really works. Hosted personally by Ben Sweet.
- Beginner truffle dog training with real truffle scent
- A multi-course lunch made with fresh truffles
- Talks, stories and a fun have-a-go challenge
- Capped at 10 dogs, so every dog gets real attention
Step into the world of truffle hunting.
Truffles are rare, delicious and worth a lot of money. They grow underground, and dogs can be taught to find them by smell. On a Discovery Day, you learn how it all works.
You'll spend the day outdoors with Ben Sweet and the Truffle Forager team. Your dog learns the first steps of truffle training. You eat a lunch full of fresh truffles. And you hear the stories, science and secrets of British truffle hunting. Groups are small, so there's plenty of time for your questions. No dog? Come along anyway to taste, watch and learn.
See Upcoming Days →
Sustainable, ethical truffle foraging.
One thing matters to us above all: doing this the right way. We're advocates for sustainable, ethical truffle foraging, harvesting in a way that protects our wild native habitats and keeps truffles thriving for generations to come. You'll learn what that actually means, and how to do it yourself, on the day.
Where a Discovery Day fits.
Two great ways in, a full training system behind them, and a goal worth working towards.
Truffle Dog Starter Day
A short, simple taster session. Just you, your dog and the very first steps of truffle training. Perfect if you want to dip a toe in before committing to a full day.
See Starter Days →Truffle Dog Discovery Day
The full day out. It follows on nicely from a Starter Day, or it's the perfect first step if you want more than just training: beginner truffle dog training, plus eating fresh truffles and diving deeper into the knowledge, theory and world of truffles.
Book a Discovery Day →Truffle Dog Shadow Day
The final milestone of the whole system: a real truffle hunt with Ben, for dogs already well into their advanced training. Shadow Days are reserved exclusively for Truffle Forager students, and your journey to one starts at a Discovery Day.
Learn about Shadow Days →The BSH Truffle Dog Training System
A Discovery Day is the start, not the whole journey. Between your first steps and a Shadow Day sits the real training: the BSH Truffle Dog Training System, taught step by step. Most owners follow it through the VIP Truffle Dog Club, with masterclasses and coaching that take you from first sniff to working truffle dog. Prefer more support? There's online coaching, private one-to-one training, our 90-Day Training Programme, and standalone Foundations and Intermediate workshops.
Whether you have a dog or not, this day is for you.
An intimate, small-group day, deliberately mixed: handlers, foodies, foragers and the just-curious. No experience required.
Dog owners & trainers
Got a dog with lots of energy and a busy nose? Truffle training gives them a job they love. This day is the perfect place to start.
Food lovers
Taste fresh, wild truffles in dishes cooked on the day. Once you've tried the real thing, truffle oil from a jar never tastes the same.
Foraging enthusiasts
Learn where British truffles grow, why they grow there and how to forage them without harming the woodland.
Curious adventurers
Love a proper day out in nature? You don't need a dog and you don't need to know anything about truffles. Just come and enjoy it.
No experience needed. Just bring your enthusiasm.
A day of discovery, learning and remarkable flavours.
Six simple parts, all in one brilliant day out.
Intro to truffle dog training
Fun scent games and simple exercises that teach your dog to find the smell of truffle. Built for complete beginners. Dog and handler attendees take real training truffles home.
Truffle dog have-a-go
Put your dog's brand new skills to the test in a fun, friendly challenge. It feels like the real thing, without the pressure.
Gourmet truffle feast
A multi-course lunch made with fresh, real truffles, not oil from a bottle. Served in a relaxed, shared setting in the countryside.
Expert truffle conversations
Sit down with real truffle hunters and hear how it's actually done: where truffles grow, how dogs find them, and how we harvest sustainably and ethically so wild habitats, and the truffles in them, thrive for generations to come.
Real truffle woodland visit
Take what you've learned into a real working truffle woodland and try it for yourself. Available on selected Discovery Days only. Check the booking page for details.
Your kit & next steps
Real training truffles for handlers, a clear plan for training at home, and something bigger: as a Truffle Forager student you start the path towards a future Truffle Dog Shadow Day, a real hunt reserved exclusively for our students once their dog's training is ready.
It isn't just a workshop. It's a day out for all your senses.
More than a training day, a full truffle dining experience.
Lunch is a big part of the day. You'll eat a multi-course meal made with lots of fresh truffles, cooked on-site. This is your chance to indulge in the real thing and taste why people treasure it.
- Several freshly cooked courses, each one featuring seasonal truffles
- A relaxed, shared meal in the countryside
- Vegetarian options available, just let us know when booking
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.
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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
Meet your trainer.
Ben Sweet, founder of Truffle Forager and one of the UK's most experienced truffle dog teachers.
Ben Sweet
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.
Everything you need to know.
Dog & Handler ticket
Includes hands-on dog training, your gourmet truffle lunch, real training truffles to take home and full event participation.
Book now →Spectator ticket
Includes full event access, expert talks and the truffle lunch, perfect if you don't have a dog or want to come along to taste, watch and learn.
Book now →Limited spaces, these small-group days fill up quickly. Prices may vary on the booking page.
Other ways to spend a day in the woods.
Starter Days, Experience Days, Shadow Days and the UK Truffle Festival. There's a day for every stage of the journey.
Starter Days
A short taster of truffle dog training.
A simple, low-key session for you and your dog. Learn the very first steps of truffle training and see if you both catch the bug.
See dates →
Experience Days
Hunt real truffles with trained dogs.
Join Ben and his trained truffle dogs on a guided hunt in a real truffle woodland. No dog needed, just come and experience the find.
Learn more →
Students Only
Shadow Days
Shadow a working truffle hunter.
Come out with Ben and Buddy on a real foraging day, part of a dog's advanced training. Reserved exclusively for Truffle Forager students.
Learn more →
UK Truffle Festival
A day celebrating British truffles.
The UK's only festival dedicated to truffles: talks, tastings and the wider Truffle Forager community, all in one place.
Learn more →Frequently asked questions.
- 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)
Spend a day in the woods. Go home a truffle hunter.
Hands-on, small-group and built around the dog. Just 10 dogs per day, and spaces tend to sell out fast.
Book Your Spot →Hunt together. Bond forever.