Mantrailing

dog training walks Briston Edgefield Holt Alysham Worstead Swanton Abbott North Norfolk

A scent-work sport for all abilities

There’s nothing quite like getting out in the wild to build a bond with your canine companion. Mantrailing is a scent-work sport that offers a brilliant way to have fun with your dog and build a great sense of unity and achievement together as a team.

Our Mantrailing workshops and training sessions introduce you to this sport, guiding you through the game of finding a specific missing person using your dogs amazing sense of smell. And the great news is, our tailored sessions cater to all abilities and are suitable for any dog, of any age or breed, whether they’re reactive, nervous, or just full of beans!

Using your dog’s most powerful sense (their sense of smell), this addictive pet dog sport gives your dog an outlet for all their energy, and you’ll both have a great time in the process.

Taught by qualified Mantrailing Global instructors Lucy Ward and Kylie Quattrucci, we offer Introduction Workshops and training sessions in Wiltshire.

Lucy is also a Mantrailing Global assessor, qualified to run all levels of assessments for her own clients, and can be hosted by other instructors for assessment sessions.

Mantrailing in Marlborough, Pewsey, Hungerford, Swindon, Devizes, Tidworth, Market Lavington and Warminster.

Starting with a Workshop – £65

Your journey into Mantrailing starts with an Introduction Workshop, spanning three hours you and your dog will embark (one pair at a time) on three separate scent trails, each gradually increasing in length and difficulty.

Throughout the introductory session you and your dog will learn:

  • What the game of Mantrailing is all about
  • What scent work is and how to safely handle a long line for mantrailling
  • How to read your dogs body language and what to look out for
  • How to progress your dog

Please note, in order to attend a workshop or training session you will need a harness for your dog and a long line (8-10m).

Please also be aware that your dog will need to rest in your car between each trail whilst you hide for another team. If your dog is not happy being on their own, please bring someone along to sit with them.

Sniffing out your nearest Session

Whether you want to teach your dog a new skill, give them an outlet for their boundless energy, or you simply want to spend a little quality time with your four-legged friend and some like-minded dog people, Mantrailing is the sport for you.

Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest news on available workshops and sessions near you or find a list of Mantrailing dates and locations below to book now.

How it works

Essentially one big game of hide-and-seek for your dog, our inclusive workshops and sessions offer low-impact, highly addictive exercise.

All humans have a unique smell made up of sweat, skin rafts and hormones. Using your dog’s amazingly powerful nose, and your unique aroma, Mantrailing teaches your dog to identify the unique smell using a scent article and follow the trail to earn their reward.

Once you and your dog have completed the Introduction Workshop, you can sign up for regular training sessions which take place across several locations in Wiltshire.

If you want your pooch to become a Grade A Mantrailing student, you can work towards Mantrailing levels 1, 2, 3 and 4, giving you and your dog a nose-to-the-ground sense of focus and achievement.

Or you can simply enjoy dipping into training sessions as and when you like, taking things at your own pace.

Book Now!

Frequently Asked Questions

How old does my dog need to be to start mantrailing?
There is no lower upper or lower age limit, puppies to golden oldies are welcome.

A dog of any age can come mantrailing! It’s a low-impact but highly mentally stimulating sport, suitable for a dog of any age. However, as it involves your dog waiting in your vehicle between goes, it may not be suitable for very young puppies if they don’t have someone to sit with them.

My dog can't be left alone in the car, will this be a problem?
In principle no, not at all. You can sit with your dog between goes. However, you will miss out on some learning as watching other dogs work and hiding for another dog to come and find you gives you just as much information as working with your own dog.

But it’s not a problem if you’d like to sit with your dog when it’s not their turn.

I have multiple dogs that I'd like to start mantrailing with. Do I need to do an introduction workshop with both of them.
Here at Lucy Ward Dog Training, we’d say no. The introduction workshop is as much about your learning as is it your dogs. Once you’ve completed an intro with one dog, you can then book your other dog on to a training session of your choice and we can easily accommodate.

However, you’re very welcome to do an intro with both of your dogs if you wish. Please note that other instructors may have a different policy for people with multiple dogs.

My dog never wears a harness, do they really need to have one/wear one just to give mantrailing a go?
In short, yes. Mantrailing is a sport that involves your dog being out in front of you and pulling. It’s not safe or appropriate for your dog to pull into a collar.

We have a large size range of spare harnesses that you can borrow for the introduction workshop if you wish. Then, if you decide you’d like to carry on with the sport you can purchase your own harness.

I can't run, will this be a problem in mantrailing?
No. Running when mantrialing is a big no no, and not required.

We walk behind our dogs when they’re searching. It’s safer; we’d never be able to keep up if we had to run behind them (no matter how fit you are) and as running induces panting in our dogs, they’d be unable to sniff as well and therefore make the search for their missing person much harder

My dog has no recall, will this be a problem?
Absolutely not, no recall is needed for mantrailing. Dogs stay on a long line at all times; at no point in a dog’s progression in the sport do we take the dogs off the lead.

We may start a very very young puppy off by having them off lead or trailing the long line behind them, but this is quickly progressed into you holding the long line.

My dog is nervous of people/other dogs, can we still do mantrailing?
For the majority of dogs, absolutely. The sport is a fantastic way to build a dogs confidence.

However, mantrailing isn’t a magic wand that can suddenly create a social dog, it takes time and patience like any training and it may be that you need to muzzle train your dog for them to safely do the sport. Or, we can work on tracking first (no person to find) to build their understanding and your confidence as a team.

If you’re concerned or have further questions, please get in touch with Lucy before booking. The safety of the other participants is hugely important as they’re the ones hiding for your dog.

Can I come to your training sessions if I've done an introduction workshop, or trailed with another instructor?
Yes of course. Learning broadly from multiple instructors to give yourself a rounded learning experience is something we advocate and encourage. If you’re unsure about the style of training you’ve done so far, you can always get in touch with Lucy before booking.
My dog has no training, can they do mantrailing?
Absolutley! No prior training or learning is required to start mantrailing. Naughty dogs are very welcome!
I do another sports with my dog (agility, tracking, working trials, scent detection, obedience etc) are we ok to start mantrailing?
Yes! Doing multiple sports or types of training with your dog is no problem at all.

Tracking is a huge help when it comes to mantrailing, scent detection adds a lot to a dog’s skill set and helps build their independence when searching, agility can aid body confidence, and obedience can help with building motivation for rewards.

My dog is deaf/blind/has a disability, can they do mantrailing?
For the majority of dogs, yes. As long as they’re comfortable to move, walk, and wear a harness then they can do mantrailing.

We’ve had dogs trail with us that are deaf, blind or missing a limb and are amazing mantrailing dogs. It’s a great sport due to it being low impact, perfect for dogs that have had to retire from more active sports, such as agility, due to age related problems or mobility issues.

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1-2-1 Dog Training

1-2-1 training is perfect for anyone wanting personalised help to work through any aspect of training with a dedicated plan. 

Online Dog Training

Our comprehensive online dog training course gives you and your dog the ability to learn at your own pace, with practical guidance and tactics for training success.

1-2-1 Puppy Training

1-2-1 puppy training supports you and your new pup through those precious first few weeks and beyond. Helping with all aspects of training both in your home and outside.

Mantrailing

Come and discover your dog’s superpower: their sense of smell. Whether your dog is reactive, fearful, or fearless, all are welcome to join in the fun that is Mantrailing!

Ready to book?

If you are interested in our services but are not quite sure if we are the right fit for you and your dog or need something a little more unique, please do get in touch, we would be happy to hear from you and try to fulfil your needs.