About
Top Gunn Canine is run by Sooz Foster, a dog trainer based in North Devon with a specialist focus on scent detection.
I work with people who want to do something genuinely rewarding with their dog. Not just to keep them busy, but to give them an outlet that builds confidence, focus and a strong working relationship between dog and handler.
My own journey into this work began with one of my dogs, Toro, who struggled with reactivity. What I saw through detection training was not a quick fix, but a powerful shift. Having a clear, purposeful job to do helped him engage with the world in a different way. Just as importantly, it changed how I worked with him. I learned to slow down, observe more, and trust the process.
That experience shaped the direction of my training.
This type of training works because it meets dogs where they are. Using their nose is natural, motivating and deeply satisfying. It encourages dogs to problem-solve and work independently, while still staying connected to their handler. Over time, it builds confidence, resilience and focus in a way that many dogs do not get from more traditional activities.
I also compete in detection sports with my own dogs, which helps keep my training grounded and honest. My dog Goose recently achieved Reserve UK Champion in Detection Dog Trials at just 15 months old, something I’m incredibly proud of. Competing gives valuable insight into foundations, handling, progression and pressure, all of which feeds back into how I train and support others.
For the people who train here, it is just as much about learning. Learning how to read your dog, recognise good work, and support them without micromanaging. Many start out looking for meaningful mental stimulation for their pet dog and quickly discover how absorbing and rewarding the process can be.
My training style is structured, thoughtful and dog-centred, with a strong emphasis on foundations, progression and maintaining standards. I complete regular continuing professional development (CPD) to ensure my training remains current, ethical and effective, and that ongoing learning directly informs how sessions are planned and delivered.
Training at Top Gunn Canine is not about rushing or ticking boxes. It is about doing things well, enjoying the detail, and developing dogs that understand their job and handlers who feel quietly capable.
The name Top Gunn Canine reflects the specialist nature of the work, a nod to the local Gunn area, and a personal influence from my own detection dog, Goose. It felt fitting for a place where focus, teamwork and quality matter.
If this approach to training sounds like the right fit for you and your dog, you will be very welcome here.
Explore scent detection classes and workshops.