The Truffle Forager Podcast

What separates a dog that nails every target in training from one that actually finds truffles in the wild? In this episode I'm joined by Paul Bunker, founder of Chiron K9 and one of the most experienced scent detection trainers in the world, with over 40 years working dogs across the military, research and conservation.Paul served 22 years in the British Army's Royal Army Veterinary Corps, led specialist detection programmes internationally, and now pioneers detection work on everything from buried explosives and oil spills to endangered species and invasive plants. We get deep into the science and the art of training dogs to find buried targets, and exactly where most truffle dog handlers go wrong.What we cover:- Why your dog finds everything in training but freezes in real woodland- The coffee cup principle: why surface area, not quantity, drives odour- "The ground is productive": venting, footprints and buried odour- The passive response vs the dig, and how to get the best of both- Liberal vs pedantic dogs, and what yours is- Why truffle hunting being an "odour-messy" sport is doing your dog a disservice- The all-clear: rewarding your dog for finding nothing- Reading subtle changes of behaviour instead of chasing the perfect sit and stare- Training on a neutral odour before you ever introduce truffleTimestamps:00:00 Intro and Paul's background02:10 From farm dogs to the Royal Army Veterinary Corps07:11 Old school: rope leads, leather collars and reading dogs09:56 The subtle signals most handlers miss12:51 Passive response vs the dig, and why nose-at-source matters16:40 The dream indication: paw scratch, passive, then dig on cue20:05 Cracking buried odour (the Balkans, 1999)22:55 Training buried targets: jars, solutions and soil pucks24:38 Venting vs footprint: why the ground is productive27:54 Liberal dogs vs pedantic dogs30:38 Why your dog finds it at home but not in the woods33:27 The coffee cup: surface area, not quantity37:22 The transition phase: just three real-life exposures40:07 Why "click on the sniff" beats the trained final response43:23 "Don't trust your dog, trust your training"46:34 "It's not the dog, it's your training plan"48:45 Is truffle hunting really an "odour-messy" sport?53:38 The all-clear: rewarding the "nothing here" choice1:00:05 Mistakes are learning, not punishment1:01:44 The criteria before you try the real thing1:04:28 Paul's parting advice: enjoy your dog1:09:35 What Paul trains now, and starting on a neutral odour1:16:25 Where to find PaulFind Paul Bunker at Chiron K9: https://chiron-k9.comI'm Ben Sweet, founder of Truffle Forager. I help dog owners train their dogs to hunt truffles using the BSH Truffle Dog Training System.www.truffleforager.com

🎙️ In This Episode
We speak with Professor Paul Thomas, founder of Mycorrhizal Systems and one of the leading figures in modern truffle cultivation.
We explore how homegrown truffle hedges can thrive in the UK, the impact of climate change on yields and quality, and how dog–handler dynamics can shape successful harvests.
Paul shares insights from the largest truffle hunting dataset ever collected and offers a glimpse into the future of truffle growing, research, and innovation.

Subscribe to the Truffle Forager email newsletter for more great content, updates and more. 👉 https://truffleforager.com----------------------------------------------------👋 FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA 👋📸 INSTAGRAM: @TruffleForager🐦 TWITTER: @TruffleForager⏰ TIKTOK: @TruffleForager💧 FACEBOOK: @TheTruffleForager ----------------------------------------------------LEARN MORE @ www.truffelforager.com

Host Ben Sweet recounts a whirlwind trip to central France to advise what may become one of the world’s largest truffle orchards, where a small team and six trained dogs are racing against time to increase their hunting efficiency to keep pace with booming truffle production.

In this episode, we tackle the question: Does traditional scent detection or nose work negatively impact truffle dog training? Learn about the benefits and potential challenges of mixing scent disciplines, how to ensure clarity for your dog, and why context and consistency are key to successful training.

If you’re passionate about truffle hunting and want to connect with like-minded enthusiasts, join the Truffle Dog Club at truffleforager.com for training, meetups, and a supportive community!

Join the Truffle Dog Club 🇬🇧 👉 https://truffleforager.com

In this episode of the Truffle Forager podcast, host Ben Sweet interviews Chris Bate, owner of Black Diamond Truffle Trees. They discuss Chris's move to Perigord, France, and his truffle business. Topics include the discovery of a wild tuber melanosporum truffle in the UK (WOW!), truffle dog training, truffle tree cultivation, and different truffle species. Chris explains the symbiotic relationship between truffles and trees and how animals spread truffle spores. They also cover the rarity, value, and varieties of truffles, the French truffle scene, and fake truffle products. Chris concludes with stories about training his truffle-hunting dog, Dougie, highlighting the dog's sense of smell, genetics, and the role of truffle flies in locating truffles.

Visit Chris's website here: https://www.blackdiamondtruffletrees.com/

For any purchases on Chris's site, use 20% Discount Coupon: "SWEETTRUFFLES20"

TAKEAWAYS:

Truffles can be found in the UK, including the highly prized tuber melanosporum.

The cultivation of truffle trees involves creating a symbiotic relationship between the tree roots and truffle mycelium.

Truffle dogs play a crucial role in locating truffles by sniffing out their distinct aroma.

Wild truffles can be found in unexpected locations, and animals contribute to the spread of truffle spores. Truffles are highly valued due to their rarity, not necessarily their quality.

The truffle scene in France is characterized by a strong obsession with truffles and a belief in the superiority of the peregrine truffle.

Fake truffle products, such as truffle oil, are common and can be deceptive.

Truffle dogs are trained from a young age using various methods, including conditioning with truffle scents.

Early training and conditioning are crucial for the success of truffle dogs. Training a truffle-hunting dog involves teaching them the action and then introducing the word to associate with the action.

Dogs have an incredible sense of smell and can locate truffles underground.

The truffle fly can indicate the presence of truffles and is used by truffle hunters to find them.

Genetics and instinct play a significant role in a dog's ability to find truffles.

Truffle hunting is a fascinating and rewarding activity that combines nature, science, and culinary delights.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 - Introduction to Truffles and Chris Bates

01:54 - The Exciting Discovery of a Wild Tuber Melanosporum Truffle in the UK

03:48 - Chris's Journey into Truffle Cultivation

08:29 - The Process of Growing Truffle Trees

10:56 - The Natural Occurrence of Truffles on Chris's Land

33:35 - Confirmation of the Wild Tuber Melanosporum Truffle

41:20 - The Importance of Aroma in Truffles

42:19 - The Rarity and Value of Truffles

46:20 - The Truffle Scene in France

53:22 - The Issue of Fake Truffle Products

59:33 - The Importance of Protected Status for Truffles

01:13:18 - Training Truffle Dogs: Early Conditioning

01:25:30 - Training a Truffle-Hunting Dog

01:28:09 - The Incredible Sense of Smell in Dogs

01:43:56 - The Role of the Truffle Fly

01:46:18 - Genetics and Instinct in Truffle Hunting

01:59:18 - The Fascinating World of Truffle Hunting