About
Tracking is where dogs follow a trail of human scent, finding articles left behind along the way. A bit like how dogs are used to find crucial evidence and provide clues within the police force - only, this is just for fun, of course. The progress is deeply satisfying to watch - your dog's nose to the ground, working independently, growing in confidence with every trail they complete.
Tracking is great because you don't need other people (unlike mantrailing/trailing), meaning we have more flexibility with when and where sessions are held. It's also something you can practice at home.
Almost any dog can track, regardless of breed, age or background - and because sessions are 1-to-1, we can adapt entirely to your dog. See FAQs below for more info or get in touch.
Do you already mantrail with your dog?
Adding tracking can transform your mantrailing. It teaches dogs the value in ground scent (as opposed to head up, air-scenting), increases accuracy and can help slow dogs down. It's also something you can practice at home, in between sessions, unlike mantrailing.
Noses at work
Want to get started?
You can join a group Trailing/Tracking session (3 hours) or book a 1-to-1 session (30-60 minutes) at a time that suits you. 2-to-1s are also possible.
You can check out upcoming sessions here, or drop me a message if you have any questions.
FAQs
What is tracking?
Tracking is a scent-based activity where your dog follows a trail of human scent, finding items left along the trail. It teaches dogs the value of ground scenting - nose to the ground, following the trail closely - as opposed to air-scenting, where dogs scent with their head up. Ground scenting encourages greater accuracy and is a really valuable skill. Sessions can take place anywhere from rural to city centre.
What's the difference between mantrailing, tracking and trailing?
In all three, the dog follows a trail of human scent - the difference lies in what they find and when they are rewarded. In mantrailing, the dog finds a person at the end of the trail and is rewarded when they do. With tracking, the dog finds items left along the trail and is rewarded per find, with no person at the end. Trailing mixes elements of both, giving us the flexibility to tailor the activity to your dog's natural style and individual needs. There are also differences in how dogs work - tracking relies primarily on ground scent, whereas mantrailing tends to involve more air-scenting, with the dog's head up following the scent on the breeze.
What are the benefits of tracking?
Tracking gives your dog a clear job to do - following a trail independently, problem solving, and making decisions with minimal to no guidance. This builds confidence through success, one find at a time. Because tracking relies on ground scent, it also sharpens focus and encourages dogs to slow down and work methodically - particularly valuable for dogs who tend to rush or air-scent. The mental effort involved is significant, and most dogs are genuinely tired afterwards in a way that a walk alone rarely achieves. Like trailing, it can be taken into different environments - and once a dog has a job to focus on, it's remarkable how much more confidently they navigate situations they previously found difficult.
Is it suitable for nervous or reactive dogs?
Generally, yes. Sessions are 1-to-1 and held at a location that suits you and your dog, so the environment is much easier to manage from the start. We can begin somewhere quiet and introduce busier environments gradually - or not at all, if that's what suits your dog best. Tracking gives nervous and reactive dogs a job to focus on, which can make a real difference to how they cope in situations they previously found difficult.
Can dogs work in a muzzle?
While muzzled dogs are very welcome, tracking poses some challenges. If your dog wears a muzzle, trailing is actually the more straightforward option - rewards are given at the find rather than along the trail. Tracking is trickier, as rewards are usually dropped directly onto the scent articles on the ground, which isn't possible with a muzzle. There are ways to adapt, but it requires additional work and consistency from you at home. Get in touch before booking and we can work out the best approach for your dog.
What equipment do I need?
A y-shaped harness, a long line of approximately 8-10 metres (I have one you can borrow if needed) and plenty of high value treats such as pate.
I have physical limitations - can I still take part?
It depends - generally, as long as you are able to walk your dog and hold them whilst wearing a harness, you should be able to take part. We can adjust the activity accordingly and keep distances shorter if needed. Trails are usually fairly short when starting out, building to around 200-500 metres over time. Get in touch if you have any concerns.