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Truffle hunting: what if your dog guided you to nature's treasures?

Par Vanessa Pelletier 15/12/2025 3 min de lecture
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Truffle hunting: what if your dog guided you to nature's treasures?

There are simple yet unforgettable moments. Like when your dog, focused, nose twitching, gently scratches the earth… and offers you a treasure: his first truffle. This gesture, as natural as it is magical, reveals the full potential of truffle hunting, a meaningful activity accessible to all dogs, and one that strengthens the bond with humans.

Truffle hunting, a tradition rooted in the land
The word "truffle hunting" comes from the Provençal verb "cavar," meaning to dig. Once practiced with pigs, dogs have now become the preferred partners of truffle growers. Easier to train, more precise, and above all, more in tune with humans, our dogs have everything it takes to become true seekers of natural treasures.

But beyond the practical aspect, truffle hunting is a sensory and emotional experience, as much for the dog as for its owner. It's an adventure for two, where each learns to listen, observe, and trust the other.

Tuber Aestivum: the summer truffle, ideal for beginners
Tuber aestivum, also called the summer truffle, grows from May to August in the calcareous and sunny soils of our beautiful Verdon region. Less intense than the black winter truffle (Tuber melanosporum), it offers subtle, nutty, and woody aromas, highly prized in cooking.

But above all, it's ideal for learning truffle hunting: easier to spot and more resilient, it allows the dog to progress without frustration, and the human to savor their first truffle discoveries.



Why will your dog love truffle hunting?

Because truffle hunting offers everything your dog needs:

An activity that stimulates their sense of smell (their most developed sense)

An independent and rewarding activity

A rich and calming mental activity

And above all: shared enjoyment with you

Regardless of age, breed, or experience level, any dog ​​can learn to truffle, provided their pace and personality are respected.

My method: kind, personalized, and positive
Trained in canine behavior since 2018 and specializing in truffle hunting for the past six years, I am passionate about sharing this love of truffles with complete respect for the animal. Every dog ​​is unique, every pair is different. That's why I offer individualized training based on:

Gradual learning of olfactory skills

Positive reinforcement and play

Listening to the dog and its body language

Real-life, hands-on experience in a truffle orchard.

Before even talking about truffles, we train the nose, we build motivation, concentration, the desire to search without pressure, without constraint, in joy.



 

An immersive day: truffle hunting workshop – June 8, 2025
On Sunday, June 8th, I invite you to spend a full day in the heart of the Verdon region, discovering truffle hunting in an exceptional natural setting.

Program: 🐾 Morning: Introduction to truffle hunting using gentle methods, suitable for all sociable dogs. Lunch: Bring your own picnic lunch and relaxation for the dogs by Lake Sainte-Croix. 🌳 Afternoon: Truffle hunting in a real-life setting in our truffle orchard.

🎁 Bonus: Take home the first truffle found by your dog! ✨ Certificate presentation and tasting of homemade tapenade and other surprises…

Practical information:
Price: €157

Time: 9:30 am – 4:00 pm

Location: Aiguines – Verdon Gorges

Spaces: Maximum 4 dog-dog pairs for quality instruction.


📞 07 61 44 57 51

📩 1vie2chiens@gmail.com

🌐 www.1vie2chiens.com

📍 Gorges du Verdon – Lac de Sainte-Croix


À propos de l'auteur

VP

Vanessa Pelletier

Éducatrice canine comportementaliste