Getting started in Mantrailing is just for fun for many dog owners, but for some joining mantrailing means their dog can join in with something fun regardless of their physical or behavioural issues.
Mantrailing is an inclusive sport, it was designed to be fun for all dogs regardless of breed, age and temperament. This also means regardless of their disabilities both physically or behaviourally.
As its low impact it is suitable for dogs who are retired from other sports, and for dogs that may have a missing limb or spinal issues. Mantrailing is done at the dogs own pace, there is no points for speed when trailing. Its all about that dog finding their missing person using their nose in the way that suits them best.
Don’t just take our word for it, read the comments from our trailers about how mantrailing as helped their dogs with behavioural and physical issues:
S Hayton – When Wuby came to me she was scared of everything and everybody. Even after some one to one training sessions she remained reactive to dogs, but she clearly needed a “hobby”. From day one she’d ignore people and dogs around her as she tracked down her misper. We’ve searched high and low, far and wide for mispers and I’ve learned a lot more about her. She really is a little superstar who knows her job (far better than I do) and loves it!
J Johnston – Kip not only has Short Ulna Syndrome in both forelegs but now we’ve found out he has severe Hip Dysplasia in both hips, bit of a genetic car crash at only 3 years old. Despite all this he loves mantrailing, it tires him out mentally without having an adverse effect on his joints, it also satisfies part of his inbuilt breed skills for tracking a scent.
M Rose – Podrick & I a still quite new to mantrailing! We both have our share of issues – Podrick has bilateral shoulder OCD and is only 18 months old which means high impact stuff like agility or flyball was not for us, we looking to low impact activities and mantrailing is perfect. I was born with bilateral talipes equinovarus commonly known as clubbed feet, so being out, active and within my limits but including my best friend is so special to me!
S Rendall – Freyja is very dog reactive and normally any dog in sight will cause a big barking event. My proudest moment was when she was less than 8feet away from a dog whilst she was trailing and apart from a few swear words under her breath, kept working!!
K Price – I started it as I thought it’ll be nice to try something active with Zeus (2.5 year old Mini Schnauzer) while my partner has joined the marines reserves and was away most weekends. We live in an area I hadn’t really got out and met new people so mantrailing got us out on weekends, better than shopping. When we started we definitely had some hurdles. He was scared of peoples sudden movements, he wouldn’t go near or take food from the misper. He is also a bit of a scaredy cat in closed in areas or entrances. We had to keep gently pushing, finding the treat that motivated him to want tot o work for the treat, finally hotdogs became the trigger. With patience and consistency we made gains slowly but he came round, even now with closed in or tight space sometimes causes us a little slip but with praise and reassurance we get there. He knows when we are going trailing by just getting ready at home. Our bond has become all about our teamwork.
Starting mantrailing could be the best way to understand your dog better, allow them an outlet for natural behaviour and give them a way to have fun regardless of physical or behavioural issues. We want every dog to have fun while mantrailing, and we want every dog to be able to join in with the fun.
To find your nearest instructor check out our interactive map - https://www.mantrailinguk.com/find-an-instructor