The first step in your mantrailing journey is attending an introduction course. This course is around three hours long. You will be sent some on line theory information when you book, but you will also get told the theory behind mantrailing on the course, start with your first trails for you and your dog, and also learn the basics of being a trail layer for other dogs on your course.Being a trail layer ( or misper) is great fun, as well as being such an important part of mantrailing.

The dogs get rewarded when they find their mister by the tastiest food they like ( you’ll be asked to bring some , plus little containers) , or a toy, and of course the joy of their handler.

On these workshops, each dog is worked individually , and in between their turns, they need to remain in the car.This gives them a chance to rest ( sniffing is hard work!), and also means that each dog isn’t distracted by others when they’re learning a new sport of mantrailing. If your dog isn’t used to staying in the car, you will need to bring another person to stay with them during the session.

Mantrailing is perfect for dogs who react to other dogs, as each dog is worked individually.Similarly dogs who are nervous of new people can be catered for. This may include bringing someone with you thatthe dog is familiar for their very first trails . It is important that when you fill your booking form in, you give as much information as possible so I can modify anything needed for individual dogs.

The cost for this introductory session is £55.

After you have done this, you can attend any progression session, with Catterick K9 Mantrailing, or with any other Mantrailing UK instructor anywhere in the country.

Progression sessions cost £30 for a 3 hour session where you will complete 3 sets of trails, with one of these likely to be concentrating on a specific skill.

These sessions are where you really start to become a team with your dog, and be in awe of the skills your dog shows using his nose. Much cake is also eaten !