What Is Trailing?
Man Trailing, Pet Trailing and Why Canine Professionals Should Care
If you’re a dog trainer or canine professional, you may have heard people talking about Mantrailing and Pet Trailing and wondered what all the fuss is about. Put simply, trailing teaches dogs to use their incredible sense of smell to follow the scent trail of a specific individual.
In Mantrailing, that individual is a person.
In Pet Trailing, it’s an animal, usually a dog.
But trailing is about much more than simply getting a dog to follow a scent. It’s about watching dogs problem-solve, make decisions and use an ability that comes incredibly naturally to them.
And that’s exactly why we think canine professionals should be paying attention.
What is Man Trailing and Pet Trailing?
Man trailing involves a dog following the scent trail of a specific person. The dog is given a scent article and then works out where that person has travelled.
Pet Trailing uses the same incredible scenting ability but focuses on following the scent trail of a specific animal.
Both are fascinating activities in their own right and both give dogs an opportunity to use their noses in a way that is mentally stimulating, challenging and rewarding. For a canine professional, they also offer the opportunity to add something completely different to your existing dog training services.
Why is trailing so good for dogs?
Dogs are built to use their noses and trailing gives them a reason to do exactly that. Rather than simply following instructions, the dog has to process scent information, work things out and make decisions.
That can provide:
- Mental stimulation
- Enrichment
- Problem-solving opportunities
- Confidence-building
- A sense of purpose
- A fantastic way to work together with their handler
And one of the things we love most about trailing is how adaptable it can be.
Different breeds, ages, personalities and abilities can enjoy it. We’ve seen dogs who aren’t particularly interested in traditional training absolutely come alive when they’re given a job that makes sense to them.
You don’t need a particular type of dog. You just need a dog with a nose.
And what about the people?
The dog isn’t the only one having fun. One of the biggest things people discover through Man Trailing and Pet Trailing is just how much they can learn about their own dog.
Handlers learn to watch rather than constantly direct. They learn to recognise changes in behaviour, trust their dog’s decisions and understand how their dog works.
And then there’s the social side.
Trailing creates communities. People come back because they enjoy seeing their own dog progress, but they also become invested in the other teams around them. It becomes a shared activity, a challenge and often a real passion.
For a dog trainer or canine professional, that’s worth thinking about.
Because when people enjoy what they’re doing with their dogs, they have a reason to keep coming back.
Could trailing be good for your business?
This is where it gets particularly interesting for canine professionals. Adding Pet Trailing or Man Trailing to your dog training business gives you another service to offer your clients and another way to work with dogs.
You could run regular trailing sessions, workshops, progression sessions or events. You can work with beginners and help teams develop as their skills grow.
And because trailing is so adaptable, it can fit alongside other dog training services rather than requiring you to completely change what you already do. Often instructors find that people who come for trailing, stay for training and vice versa creating a powerful business loop.
Once qualified and affiliated with The Canine School of Trailing, instructors can also run official assessments without the need for further courses or qualifications. This is just one of the many benefits included in the comprehensive affiliation package.
We’re not going to promise that becoming a Trailing Instructor will make you fully booked. No honest course provider can guarantee that. But we can give you the knowledge and support to build your own trailing business and decide where you want to take it.
Why train with The Canine School of Trailing?
There are lots of ways to learn about trailing, so choosing the right Trailing Instructor Course matters.
Our £950 Distance Learning Trailing Instructor Course is designed to give you a comprehensive route into becoming a Trailing Instructor. You learn both Pet Trailing and Man Trailing, including how to teach teams through different levels. The course includes six hours of mentor support, plus access to our Online Line Handling Course.
And importantly, one course is all you need.
You don’t need to keep buying additional instructor courses or different levels as you progress. Once qualified, you can teach across all the levels covered by your training. If you choose to affiliate with us, you can also run official assessments and access ongoing mentoring, CPD, Business Builder support and our wider instructor community.
So although the course is distance learning, you’re not simply buying a login and being left to figure it out. You’re joining a community of people who are passionate about trailing, dogs and helping other canine professionals build something of their own.
Could trailing be your next step?
Whether you’re already a dog trainer looking for something new to offer your clients, or you’re considering a completely new direction within the canine industry, trailing is worth exploring. It gives dogs an opportunity to use their natural abilities, gives owners a fantastic activity to share with their dogs and gives canine professionals another potential service and business opportunity.
If you’re curious about becoming a Trailing Instructor, start by downloading our prospectus or booking a discovery call. We’ll happily talk you through the course, what’s included and whether it’s the right fit for you.
One course. One qualification. One clear path.