Hounds Haven
Trailing
Harness your dogs incredible sense of smell to find ‘lost’ people and pets in a fun activity you can do together. Sessions available in Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Derbyshire.
trailing
What is It?
Trailing involves a dog having to find a person (mantrailing) or a dog (pettrailing) by following a trail of their scent using an item that they have touched. When the dog finds the ‘lost’ person or dog they get their reward – usually this is a really tasty high value treat preferably smelly and lickable.
Trailing can build your dog’s confidence and focus, strengthen your bond as a team and give your dog a great mental workout all while using their natural superpower – their sense of smell.
Equipment
What will I need?
You will need your dog, a long line (between 5- 10 m) a suitable harness and a very high value tasty reward. See FAQ for more details of what to bring.
Trailing
What to expect
Sessions are suitable for beginners and for dogs that have trailed before. Each session is for 4 dogs and will last for around 2 hours. Dogs trail individually so your dog will need to rest in your car between trails.
As well as trailing your own dog you can get involved in hiding for other dogs, keeping an eye on the dogs in cars or following a trail watching other teams.
Progress
Trailing for success
We use positive reward based methods to ensure that you and your dog have successful trails and love trailing. Every dog and handler team is different and we help you progress at your pace and work on things that are important to you whilst still having fun enjoyable sessions.
Should I Try…
Why do it?
Dogs have a very strong sense of smell. They can smell the equivalent of 1 drop of liquid in 20 Olympic size swimming pool – that’s 1 part per trillion. Trailing taps into this natural dog superpower. Sniffing also uses about ten times as much air as normal breathing — this, and the mental workout used when processing smells explains why trailing is so tiring for dogs.
When trailing, you and your dog are connected by a long line and have to work as a team to find the lost person or dog. This allows you as the handler to receive information from the dog and importantly, the dog knows that you are working with them. The dog is out front but don’t worry about breaking any rules about heel or loose lead walking – dogs adapt to the role they are in, and when trailing, they learn to lead their handler to the lost person or dog.
Dogs usually pick up the ‘game’ of hide and seek very quickly. It’s inclusive and low impact too – nervous or reactive dogs and deaf or blind dogs have all been trailed successfully and dogs of any age or with health needs can trail.
Trailing can build a great relationship with your dog and increase their confidence and you both get to spend time adventuring outdoors and having fun.
Can any dog do it?
Absolutely – trailing is one of the most inclusive dog sports and is suitable for any type of dog of any age. Young puppies just need to have had their vaccinations and be able to go outside
Where are sessions held?
One of the great things about trailing is that it can be done in lots of different outdoor spaces and at different times of the day.
My sessions will take place in various locations across Manchester, Derbyshire and Cheshire so check the website booking page for more details.
