More Than Truffles: Deepening Your Bond with Your Dog in the Off-Season
- premiertruffles9
- Jul 11
- 3 min read
The truffle season may be on pause, but that doesn’t mean your work as a team is. In fact, the quiet months between harvests are often the most powerful ones—not for finding truffles, but for building trust, confidence, and connection between you and your dog.
At Premier Truffles, we believe that a great truffle dog isn’t just trained—it’s connected to you. And the off-season is the perfect time to deepen that bond.
1.
Teamwork Starts at Home
Truffo: “You know, Vita, people think we only work during truffle season.”
Vita: “Pfft. Amateurs. Bonding is year-round, my friend.”
Truffo: “Especially when it involves snacks. And cuddles. And more snacks.”
You don’t need a forest or truffle patch to grow as a team. Some of the best truffle work happens in the daily moments—when you take a walk together, when you pause and play, when your dog leans into your hand because they know you’ve got them. The better your bond, the better your communication in the field.
2.
Turn Scent work into Play
Vita: “Hide-and-seek with truffle oil is my summer cardio.”
Truffo: “I call it sniff and splash. Bonus points if there’s a kiddie pool involved.”
Keep your dog’s nose active by making scent games fun and low-pressure. A few ideas:
Hide truffle oil-scented cotton balls around the house or yard
Use puzzle toys to introduce scent association
Bury a favorite toy in a sandbox or sniff box
Let your dog “find it” with treats under flowerpots or logs
These activities keep scent skills sharp while also reinforcing your partnership—your dog is working with you, not just for a reward.
3.
Watch, Listen, Connect
Use this slower season to tune into your dog’s natural rhythms. Are they most playful in the morning? Do they love water or prefer shade?
Truffo: “I prefer mornings. That’s when the squirrels are sleepy and slow.”
Vita: “I prefer evenings. That’s when the humans magically produce grilled chicken.”
Learning your dog’s preferences makes your fieldwork together smoother—and more fun. Connection starts when we slow down enough to really see our dogs.
4.
Set a Soft Goal
There’s no pressure in the off-season, so let your goal be simple: five minutes of intentional connection a day. That might be brushing their coat, playing a silly game, or just lying on the floor together.
Vita: “Five minutes of belly rubs counts, right?”
Truffo: “Only if you don’t fall asleep and snore like last time.”
Vita: “That was meditative bonding, thank you very much.”
It doesn’t have to be fancy—it just has to be you and your dog, being present.
5.
Let Us Help Strengthen Your Bond
Premier Truffles offers seasonal scent work classes, personalized board-and-train programs, and private coaching designed to help you and your dog become a stronger team. Whether you’re prepping for the next season or just keeping things fun and active, we’re here for you.
Final Thoughts from Truffo & Vita:
Truffo: “You know what my favorite part of the off-season is?”
Vita: “Not getting muddy?”
Truffo: “Nope. Snuggle sessions and cheese rewards. In that order.”
Vita: “Same. But I still roll in the mud. Gotta keeps ’em guessing.”
Ready to reconnect with your truffle dog this summer?
Send us a photo of you and your dog bonding this summer—whether you’re training, hiking, cuddling, or just having fun—and we’ll send you a $50 off coupon to use at Premier Truffles!
(Classes, training, truffle products—you choose!
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