Seattle Advanced Truffle Field Classes

Instructor: Erica Wells (CPDT-KA, CNWI) & Alana McGee (CPDT-KA) 

Class sizes are limited. The Advanced class series consists of 4 sessions total (including a “hunt with us” wherein you’ll see what it’s like with experienced dogs hunting with the instructor’s dogs and members of the team, and then 3 training sessions in the field). You also can join us on our month (or bi-monthly) Fireside chats for advanced students and alumni.

Each dog works individually in class- one at a time. If your dog is reactive, please message us at time of enrollment, or sign up for private lessons.

This class covers our Advanced material getting you out in the field and experiencing more complex environments and fine-tuning skills needed to excel at truffle hunting in the wild, seeing and visiting actual truffle-producing locations so you can learn more about habitat. 

This is an advanced-level- fieldwork level class that consists of 3 different field “classes” and one day where you’ll hunt with us. If you have not taken classes or lessons with us previously, instructor approval is required and/or a mandatory evaluation of your team before enrolling.

After the series, you will have the opportunity to continue private lessons in the field or attend field days/ Beyond Advanced Guided sessions in truffle-producing locations, and single advanced class sessions.

Location: Locations will vary. Travel is required in and around the Seattle- metro area. If you have concerns about timing/ or distance to locations/ please contact us about setting up a Private Field Lesson. Locations can vary widely. Many are north of seattle, a couple to the east, and this year we are hoping to add a few to the south. We may not know the exact location until a couple of weeks before the lesson to ensure we’re taking you to the best spot Available. If location is known already, it is listed in the date listings.

We are committed to helping you, our students, have a safe and successful time out truffle hunting in the woods.

During this class you’ll learn about habitat, how to find truffles, fine-tune your truffle hunting and handling skills, improve communication with your dog, practice precision alerting, troubleshooting actual situations that come up in the field, and practice finding truffles in real truffle patches.

This class consists of 3 separate lessons in the field with your dog and Fireside Chats for our advanced and alumni group and 1 lesson in the field with Instructors’ dogs.   This is your chance to see how experienced teams operate in the field. We’ll teach you about the forest, truffles themselves, what happens when your dog finds a truffle, and much more. It’ll be a lot of fun. When Possible we recommend attending the “Hunt With Us” session PRIOR to your class lesson.

There are a max 2-3 teams per class, and each dog works individually, but each class session will last 1 to 1.5 hrs. You are welcome to stay the whole day and observe other sessions if you like.

Generally, class time starts in the morning (9 or 10 am).

 

FIRESIDE CHATS

Monday, Jan 12th 5:30 pm

Thursday Feb 5th 5pm-6pm

Tuesday Feb 17th 5-6:30 pm

 

CLASS DATES

*At time of sign up please let us know which  3 DATES you’d like to attend + 1 HUNT WITH US. Any dates not scheduled this season will be rolled over into the first outings next season.

Currently planned dates for Greater Seattle area through March. Additonal April dates will be added.

You will Select 1 “Hunt with Us Date” and 3 Class dates from the following. The instructor is noted next to the date, and location, if known.

 

HUNT WITH US (* more Hunt with us dates coming)

12/27/25  Stanwood

1/2 Stanwood/ Arlington

1/31 Chehalis

 

CLASS DATES

12/18 (Erica)

12/27 (Alana & Erica) Morning–Stanwood

12/28 (Alana)- Chehalis

1/2 (Erica)- Standwood/Arlington

1/8 (Erica)

1/11 (Erica)- Chehalis

1/22 (Erica)

1/29 (Erica)

2/8 (Alana, TBD)- Have a back up date as this is not 100%

2/12 (Erica)

2/16 (Erica)

2/19 (Erica)

2/22 (Alana)- TBD Penninsula location

2/26 (Erica)

2/28 (Erica)- Chehalis

3/5 (Erica)

3/13 (Erica)

3/21 (Erica/Alana)- Chehalis

3/22 (Alana)

3/28 (Alana) Chehalis

3/29 (Alana) TBD Penninsula location

*April dates (and other additional dates) will be posted soon

 

Please allow at least 1.5 hrs for each in-person class. 

**As part of the class you’ll be provided real truffles to use in training! We will teach you how to use all of these and how to store your truffles and more.

Classes will teach you the skills you need to further build your relationship and teamwork with your dog and hone skills that are critical to successfully truffle hunting in the wild. 

Online forums and Zoom fireside chats will reinforce the skills you learn in face-to-face classes in addition to teaching you about the science of truffles and scent detection, truffle habitat, truffle care and more. Links for Zoom and class resources will be provided after registration.

We are excited for you to join us!

Fine Print:

*all dogs must be current on vaccinations. If you have any questions on if this class is right for you, please contact us directly, we are happy to chat.

*This class can be appropriate for reactive dogs- but please let us know during registration.

*If your dog will be in heat- please advise us BEFORE coming out into the field.

*If you have not taken a class with us previously or are unsure if you are ready for this class, please contact us directly or any of our instructors and we can chat with you if this is the correct option for you. To enroll in this class you must have instructor approval.

*Please read our Covid and Cancelation/ Weather Policy