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Dog carrying a toy back after finding their trail layer at a Mantrailing session.

Are You Overworking Your Mantrailing Dog?

When you're having a great Mantrailing session, it can be tempting to keep going. Your dog is keen, your trails have been a success, and your adrenaline and dopamine have well and truly kicked in. So you think: 'Just one more trail...' But knowing when to stop is an important part of Mantrailing too. Why Are Breaks between trails Important in Mantrailing? Breaks between trails aren't just simply about giving your dog a rest. They're important for both the dog and handler. Man

Sep 254 min read

Why A Double Blind In Mantrailing Is a Test, Not Training

Double Blinds are an incredibly useful exercise when integrated into a dog and handler’s training at the right time. But there’s an important difference between using a Double Blind Mantrailing trail to assess your handling skills and using a training set-up to help you develop those skills. So, let’s take a closer look at why Double Blinds are often best understood as a test rather than training, and how they can fit into your Mantrailing journey. What Is Double Blind In Man

Sep 194 min read

Passive Help in Mantrailing

In Mantrailing, one of the hardest skills to learn as a handler is knowing when to help your dog and when to stay out of the way. We want to support our dogs when they're struggling. After all, we don't want them to become frustrated, lose confidence or lose motivation. This is where passive help can be a valuable tool for your Mantrailing toolbox. Used correctly, it can support your dog through a difficult moment and help them recover the trail. But if you're using it too o

Aug 243 min read

Why Being a Good Trail Layer Matters in Mantrailing

When you think about Mantrailing, it's easy to focus on the dog and handler team. But there's another person playing a crucial role behind the scenes...The Trail Layer. The Trail Layer is the person responsible for laying the trail and hiding at the end for the dog to find, but their role involves far more than simply disappearing and waiting to be found. Their role has a direct impact on the training experience. In fact, a good Trail Layer can make a huge difference to a Man

Aug 175 min read

How To Teach Target Sniffing In Mantrailing

Before your dog can follow a trail, they first need to know exactly where to take scent from so they know which scent they are being tasked to follow. It sounds simple, but target sniffing is one of the most important foundation skills in Mantrailing. Without it, your dog can't confidently identify who they're looking for. After all... If there's no start, then there's no trail. What Is Target Sniffing? Target sniffing is the skill of teaching your dog to confidently place th

Jul 124 min read

Why motivation In Mantrailing Is important

If you've spent any time around Mantrailing Global, you've probably heard us say the phrase: 'No start, no trail.' It's a very simple concept: if your dog isn't motivated to find and start the trail, there is no trail. Before your dog can solve scent problems, work through contamination, navigate challenging environments or make confident decisions, they first need to actually want to do the job. We need to create motivation, right from the start. Why Motivation Is Important

Jun 153 min read

Handler Influence In Mantrailing

One of the biggest things handlers learn during Mantrailing is just how much influence they can accidentally have on their dog during a trail. Because while dogs are reading scent, they’re also constantly reading us. Dogs naturally pay attention to things such as line pressure, body language, movement, emotions, tension and positioning, and sometimes without even realising it, handlers start influencing the trail instead of allowing the dog to independently work the scent. H

May 252 min read

How To Become a better Line Handler in Mantrailing

This exercise can help you become a better line handler in Mantrailing because: Our line is a communication tool Keeping everyone safe during trailing No negative impact Step One: Attach the line to and object at the height of your dog. Step Two: Reel your line all the way out. Step Three: Put the lead down on the ground, and then naturally pick it up with both hands in the middle - this will help you decide you natural handling style without overthinking. Step Four: Move b

May 181 min read

Three Beginner Mistakes in Mantrailing

Three beginner mentoring mistakes almost everyone makes: 1. Rushing the start - Give your dog time to process the scent before moving. Quick fix: Slow down at the scent article to ensure they target sniff accurately & allow time for the dog to make a decision on a direct of travel before following them. 2. Talking too much - Constant cues can distract your dog from using their nose. Quick Fix: Stay quiet to allow the dog to focus better without distraction. 3. Not trusting

May 181 min read