Mantrailing Session Information

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INTRO SESSIONS

DETAILS

Introduction to Mantrailing, which lasts 3 hours. 

In this session, we will have a maximum of four dogs, and you will learn: 

- Safety when Mantrailing

- Line handling 

- Teaching the dog to take the scent

- How to start trailing, teaching the dog the game. You'll do 2-3 short trails during this session. 

If you feel your dog would be happier doing this on a one-to-one basis, with no other dogs around, please email or call and speak to Rachael to arrange a one-to-one Introductory session. 

Please note - dogs MUST be happy wearing a harness, and should be OK to be left in the car for short periods.

PROGRESSIONS SESSIONS

Mantrailing Progression – 3 hours

In this session we will have 4-6 dogs, and we will do progression trails to suit each dog. Among other things, we will look at different starts, misper positions, different surfaces and types of trails. 

Please bring your progression books or Level 1 books with you for signing if you are working towards progression badges or towards your Level 1. 

ATTENDEE INSTRUCTIONS FOR ALL SESSIONS: 

 Please bring: 

- Suitable clothing for the weather and sturdy shoes such as walking boots or wellies. 

-A long-line (I have spares if you do not have one) 

-A harness, with a Y-shaped neck. Harnesses should NOT be of the 'no-pull' variety. Dogs must be happy wearing their harness. 

-3 tubs containing extremely high value treats e.g. a spoon full of tuna, sardines, wet food - this should be something your dog will go mad for, and will be super motivated by! 

- A scent article in a freezer bag. This should be something like a snood, scarf, hat, t-shirt. 

- Ordinary dog treats

- Poo bags, your usual lead, water for your dog.

SESSION STRUCTURE

There will be a whiteboard with a running order - at any one time there will be one person dog handling, one person being a misper and one person who remains with the cars.  Anyone who isn't doing any of these jobs will be free to follow the trails, get a coffee, take their dog to the toilet etc. 

Between trails, dogs will be resting in cars in order to help latent learning and prevent them becoming over-stimulated. 

Trailing sessions will be 2-3 hours long and each dog will be able to do approximately three trails - part of the fun of this sport is being a misper and watching the dogs trail, as well as trailing your own dogs so please do get involved!