1.30 pm | Trailing/Tracking

Service Description

This is a mixed level session. If you're new to trailing, please select the introduction add-on at checkout and arrive 30 minutes early. 📍 The location - Irchester Country Park: A chance to work both woodland and open spaces, navigate between on and off piste, and through quite a rich scent picture - lots of distracting smells! Note this may not be suitable for very reactive dogs, as the chance of off lead dogs is high. Location subject to change. 🐾 What is trailing? Trailing is where dogs follow a trail of human scent - a chance for your dog to use their nose and brain the way they were built to. It combines mantrailing (finding a person) and tracking (finding items). Read more in the Activities section of the website. 🐾 How the sessions work Each dog get 2-3 trails, depending on length of trail. Often newer dogs gets 3 shorter trails and more experienced dogs get 2 longer trails. Dogs are worked one at a time; when not working, they rest safely in their vehicle (never left unattended) and usually settle easily. This surprises many, but your dog will be tired from working and will benefit from the rest between goes. You're welcome to bring someone to sit with your dog if that'd help, or get in touch beforehand with any concerns. You'll be asked to help lay trails or hide for other dogs too. 🐾 Benefits of trailing · Builds confidence through independent problem-solving and decision-making · Taps into your dog's natural drive to hunt and use their nose · Confidence gains carry beyond the trail - dogs given a job to do often navigate difficult situations more confidently too · Gives your dog a job to do - and you a shared purpose 🐾 Suitable for nervous or reactive dogs? Yes. It's a group session but dogs are worked one at a time. With tracking, we can remove the person element by not having a trail layer at the end. Some locations suit reactive dogs better than others - get in touch (woof@talkbark.co) if in doubt. 🐾 Equipment needed · A harness your dog can pull in without affecting movement (preferably Y-shaped). I don't recommend buying a new harness before your first session, as I can give guidance on a suitable fit for trailing. · A long line between 8-10 metres (I have spares to borrow) · Lots of high value treats (I recommend JR Pate) · Two small plastic containers/pots · A toy, if your dog likes toys · Something to use as a scent article - could be a glove, hat, scarf etc. It may get dog slobber on it!