Page 30 - Spring Newsletter2024

Mantrailing

By Ann Downs

Watching scent dogs work has always Mantrailing is suitable for any dog
fascinated me, the idea that a trained breed and is particularly beneficial for
dog can use their nose to find a nervous or reactive dogs –
person, object, drugs, explosives information provided by Lis Stirling
and sniff out things like cancer is from Pawzability Mantrailing.
simply amazing. These dogs
always seem to enjoy looking
for the item they have been
trained for and do so with lots
of enthusiasm with wide
sweeping wagging tails as they
search, then happily looking at
their owner for their reward
when they find the prize. I
think most people if asked
what breed of dog uses scent
to find things, they would say
Spaniel or Bloodhound not a
fluffy bum Keeshond, so I was
intrigued when I heard that
any dog can have fun using
their nose to find stuff. I’m
sure we all know that a dog’s sense Steve ready for the off.
of smell is much more superior to Those of you who know me, are
ours, but I hadn’t realised that all aware that as well as Steve (Liefkees
dogs can get the same level of Assisi) thoroughly enjoying strutting
pleasure using their noses to search.
his stuff in the show ring, he also
So what is Mantrailing? It’s a fun enjoys a lot of other dog type
canine game of hide and seek. It activities. We do things like; Kennel
provides mental stimulation, builds Club Good Citizen Scheme, Hoopers,
confidence and enhances a dog’s Fun Agility, Dog Parkour, Obedience
natural abilities. It develops a strong and Mantrailing. Most of these things
bond between the handler and the involve me teaching him what to do,
dog. It increases obedience and sometimes successfully but often with
fulfils their instinctual need to use lots of hilarity as he tries to pick up
their sense of smell, additionally it my cues. He has jumped on top and
offers a productive outlet for energy, balanced on a narrow topped barrel
making it beneficial for physical at Hoopers, like a mountain goat,
exercise and over all well-being. with a look on his face saying ‘Is this
what you want me to do?’ All the

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