Starting Mantrailing
What is Mantrailing?
Mantrailing is when a dog uses their nose to find a specific person, by following their scent. This may be scent on the ground, or in the air, or a mixture of both.
Each one of us creates a unique scent, as unique to a dog, equivalent to a genetic fingerprint. Scent is made up of debris falling off our bodies as we move around. It is made of a mixture of skin cells, sweat, hormones and bacteria. It isn’t yet known which part of this mixture that is more important to the dogs than the other parts.40-50,000 scent particles fall off use each minute, and billow around us, falling to the ground and being blown by the wind. Only the dog knows where the scent lies.
The difference between mantrailing dogs and mountain search and rescue dogs, is that mountain rescue dogs are trained to find any human and hence person, whereas a mantrailing dog follows one individual scent.
Mantrailing dogs have been used by police and military forces, and search and rescue around the world.
More recently, mantrailing has been introduced to the pet and sports dog community, as a great activity to utilize mind, body and their natural instincts. Lisa Gorenflo started Mantrailing Global after mantrailing in Germany, and wanting to continue whilst living in the UK. Over the past few years, mantrailing has been introduced to many parts of the UK and beyond.
How dogs see with their noses
Alexandra Horowitz has done a great TED talk to show how dogs use scent. Here is the link. It’s just over four minutes long, and the animation will make you smile !
The above just shows how awesome dogs noses are, compared to our own. The dog is the only one in the partnership that can “see’ where the scent is – so in mantrailing we need to be confident that the dog understands their job, and knows how to process scent.
How to start
The first task is to find the right reward that suits your dog. Generally, we use food rewards in hand held pots, (no bigger than a butter container). It needs to be of high value, ideally a reward that is only used for mantrailing. Some liquidy content is useful, as the dog can then lick the container clean as well as eating the food. This prolongs the reward time. Examples may include cocktail sausages, tinned fish, squeezy cheese, or cat food.
The tubs need to be of a size that can be hidden in peoples pockets.
Even though some dogs may prefer toys, one often finds that they prefer food in mantrailing. There may be a couple of reasons for this: firstly, food may mimic the eating part of the predatory process; secondly, the reward is delivered by the trail layer If the dog is nervous of people, this process can be broken down. Toy play is a very individual reward, and often dogs don’t like to play with a stranger.
If you do have a dog that loves to play (my collie would prefer toys to food), then it’s a good idea for the handler to also take a toy with them, hidden in a pocket. You can then play with your dog when coming back to the cars, which is a great way of prolonging the fabulous time your dog is having.
If your dog is nervous of new people, then the reward can be delivered in a way that is suitable for that dog. This may include using a person they know and are familiar with for their first sessions, rolling the reward to them in a lotus clam food ball, or putting the pot down and walking away. Generally, dogs become less nervous over sessions, as they realise there is no compunction for them to interact with the trail layer.
Equipment
Dog
For an introductory session, so long as it is a no-pull harness, then any will do. However, if you think you are going to continue to mantrail your dog, then it may be best to purchase one perhaps more suited to the sport. Y shaped harnesses are best, as they don’t create pressure over the shoulder when the dog pulls.
If you already use a harness, but you never allow the dog to pull, whilst having the lead clipped to the back, it may be best to use a different one for mantrailing, just so there is one more signal to the dog that a different behavior is wanted/allowed in this harness.
A long line is also needed. 10 m is a good starting point. Any line will do initially, and if you carry on, you will find your favourite. Grippy rubber, biothane. And leather are all options.
One of the exercises we’ll do on the day is line handling. This is important for safety, to ensure the line doesn’t get wrapped around fingers.
Human
Gloves are helpful, particularly with strong pullers. Wear a stout pair of trainers/ light walking boots, or anything with a good grip. Be prepared for all weathers.
Aim :
To begin to get your dog to love the game of finding someone with their favourite reward
Here’s how we’’ll start you and your dog’s mantrailing journey,
1. Give your treat pots to your trail layer, and ensure they know how to reward your dog (we will discuss this each individual dog as a group as well at the beginning of the day)
2. Get your dog from the car, on lead (no harness on, unless there is difficulty getting the harness on or off) and allow to have a quick wee if needed.
3. Place harness, and untangled, coiled long line on floor at starting point, approx. 5 m away from the scent article (or person holding the scent article)
4. With the dog on the outside, walk around the trail layer holding the scent article, (do not allow dog to sniff it, ideally at least 5 m). This is not an obedience exercise (I tend to hold my arm holding the lead out to the side- something I don’t do in any other circumstance, though may not be possible with a very strong dog). Allow the dog to sniff if they want. This allows the dog to create a scent inventory of all the scents in the area, and as time progresses will enable the dog to check all the junctions where the misper may have gone.
5. Place the harness on the dog, clip the leadline on, unclip the lead, and put in pocket. Sort the line on in loops, so it does not get tangled when you let it out.
6. The trail layer will now get the dog excited by showing him the pot of food, calling their name. The misper will drop the scent article to the ground, and run away, calling the dog once by name. It is important you restrain your dog (it’s ok if he is pulling into the harness, and getting excited). When told, walk the dog to the scent article on a short line, point to the article and ask them to sniff, and then give the trail cue. Remain by the scent article, and allow the line to extend to at least 4-6 metres, before you follow your dog. This allows the dog to choose the direction of travel, and not be influenced by the handler.
7. Follow your dog, at a walk only, trying to keep an even tension on the line, till he finds his trail layer. As he’s eating his reward, join in and praise your dog. At the same time, sort your line out, so it is back in loops in your hand.
8. When the dog has finished his reward, we now do an intensity trail. This is a second little trail, which is easy for the dog, but long enough to ensure they use their nose. The trail layer will run away again, calling the dog once. As the dog knows the game more, it’s important he doesn’t see where the misper runs to, so you may have to turn him around/cover his eyes. Then give the command Trail, and allow the dog, as before, to find his trail layer.
9. After finding the trail layer again, the dog will have his reward. Take the harness and long line off, put lead back on the collar, and Party – however your dog likes to do. For some, playing with a toy with you may float the boat, for others scratches and cuddles are the best.
10. As you put the dog back in the car, ensure they have clean water available.
NOTE
Many dogs will not sniff the scent article when given the cue, as it’s not a cue they know (If you do scent work, or use this for something else then use another word).. Don’t worry about it, and only give the cue once. There are target sniffing exercises which can be done to learn this part of the game.
If your dog doesn’t move off after the trail layer, don’t worry, I’ll tell you what to do. Some dogs take a little longer than others to understand.
We will rotate, and your dog will get to do 3 sets of trails, each needing 2 -3 food pots each.
How to be a trail layer
As well as handling your dog, you’ll also be acting as a trail layer . This is a vital role, as well as being great fun, but there are some rules to follow:
1. If it is your turn, to trail lay, ensure you have your scent article, and the handler’s pots. Ensure you know how the dog wants to be rewarded. DO not pet the dog when they reach you unless expressly told to by the handler. Your main job is to be a hidden food delivery mechanism!!
2. Follow instructions. If you are told to hide somewhere, don’t think you’ll test the dog and hide elsewhere.
3. Always hide your food pots (otherwise the dog will look for a person with food pots) and don’t get them out/interact with the dog until the dog comes right up to you (or when told by the instructor)
4. Keep still. Movement seem to catch dog’s attention the most, and we want them to ideally sniff you out!
5. Enjoy the stillness, and the countryside. And being found by a dog is just fab!
Example of Torrin trail (scent inventory not included). ( I should have ensure that the line remain off the ground at the beginning!)
Scent inventory (scent article present but not person)
WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING FOR THE SESSION
A well-fitting, Y shaped harness for your dog
A long line - 10m in length is ideal, I can let you borrow one on the day if you don't already have this
Some high value rewards for your dog - this could be anything your dog loves but doesn't have very often (something extra special!). It is also beneficial to use a food your dog can lick, if they value this type of reward, examples of high value rewards could be chopped cocktail sausage mixed with cream cheese, sardines, tuna, wet cat food. Just small quantities of high value food rewards are required, approx. 6 x teaspoons for a small dog and 6 x tablespoons for a large dog. ( one tablespoon for each small container)
If your dog loves a toy, bring that as well as food.
At least 2 small plastic containers to hold the treats. These need to be easy for your dog to lick out of, and with lids that won't easily leak. You will be doing 3 sets of trails, needing 2 pots for each trail.So either bring 6 pots, or one container to refill the 2 from.
Plenty of water and a dog bowl - sniffing is thirsty work
A scent article for yourself, this could be any item of clothing you have touched or worn for a short period of time, such as a small scarf or a hat etc. Please pop the scent article in a clean sandwich bag or similar, this is to protect the scent from the elements and to prevent cross contamination of scent. Also for the introductory session , can you bring a larger item , such as a t shirt which you have worn, or a pillowcase, or a jacket ( though remember dogs will be sniffing it and it will be on the ground)Other dogs on the session will use your scent article so don't bring anything of high value to you as some dogs may pick the scent article up .
Refreshments for yourself
Sensible footwear and waterproof clothing in case of bad weather. Gloves if you feel your dog may be strong/would like to wear them.
Dogs are required to rest in the cars between goes - there will always be people around the cars for safety. If your dog is not used to resting in the car you may want to bring a Kong or something similar to help them settle
If your dog has any reactivity to humans or dogs, then this is something I need to know , ideally before booking a session. Sometimes , trailing with a member of the family hiding initially can be helpful for human reactive dogs. And some venues are better ( and more private)( than other for dog reactive dogs.
So feel free to text me ( 07980 861757) and we can arrange a chat. Alternatively email ck9mantrailing@gmail.com
The booking link for sessions is below.
Everyone must do an introductory session with Mantrailing Global and this costs £55. Progression sessions are £30. Once one has done an intro session one can trail with any Mantrailing Global instructor on their progression sessions,
During the session, one is either hiding, trailing their dog, staying with the cars ( there is always one person at the cars for security), and then also watching the other dogs trail ) a great way of learning too).
Catterick K9 Mantrailing bookwhen