What is Mantrailing?
Mantrailing is one of the fastest-growing dog activities in the UK and is an exciting way to work together as a team while tapping into your dog’s incredible natural ability to use their nose.
Unlike obedience training, your dog is encouraged to take the lead. Using a specific scent article, such as a glove, hat or other personal item, your dog follows the unique scent left behind by a volunteer “missing person” and works out where they have gone. Every trail is different, making each search a new adventure.
At K-9 Enrichment, our Mantrailing sessions are designed for pet dogs and their handlers. This is not operational search and rescue training or a competition sport. It is a fun, rewarding and mentally stimulating activity that builds confidence, strengthens your partnership and allows your dog to do what they do best.
Our progressive training takes place in a variety of environments, including parks, woodlands, villages, urban areas and other suitable locations. As you and your dog develop, you’ll learn new techniques and tackle more challenging trails at a pace that suits you both.
Why choose Mantrailing?
Builds confidence in nervous or anxious dogs.
Provides outstanding mental enrichment and appropriate physical exercise.
Strengthens the bond between dog and handler.
Encourages problem-solving and independent thinking.
Gives high-energy dogs a productive outlet.
Suitable for most breeds, ages and abilities.
No previous experience is required.
Is my dog suitable?
Most dogs can enjoy Mantrailing. Whether you have a Labrador, Spaniel, Terrier, Crossbreed, rescue dog or senior dog, we adapt the training to suit the individual. We work with each dog as an individual and ensure sessions are enjoyable, safe and rewarding.
Dogs work one at a time, so reactive or nervous dogs are often able to participate successfully in a calm, controlled environment.
What will I learn?
During your journey you’ll discover:
How scent works and how dogs process human odour.
How to read your dog’s body language.
Effective line-handling techniques.
How weather and the environment influence scent.
How to build successful trails while having fun together.
More than just finding people
Mantrailing is about far more than locating a hidden person. It develops trust, communication and teamwork between you and your dog while giving them the opportunity to use the sense they rely on most—their nose.
Watching your dog solve a scent puzzle and confidently locate their missing person is an experience unlike any other.
Come and discover why so many dogs (and their humans!) become completely hooked on Mantrailing.