Mantrailing Introduction - Hensol Woods

Contact Details: Thomas Falder – TF Canine Academy – 07886374450 (Contact on the day – Please let me know if you are going to be late or cannot attend)

Mantrailing is a sport for all dogs. We welcome all breeds, temperaments and ages. By the end of the session you and your dog will learn:
What Mantrailing is
The fun of the game
What equipment suits you and your dog
How to read your dog while trailing
How to progress your dog on after mantrailing

What to Bring/Expect:
The trailing session is up to three hours long depending on how many dogs we have and how long it takes, we don’t rush the dogs getting into the game. There is a max of 6 dogs per session along with their handlers, as well as spectators.

Please bring all weather gear for you and your dog. Please wear sensible footwear for the ground we are working on, it can be uneven and muddy. So boots, wellies or good trainers are sensible. People turning up in slip on shoes or flip flops will be turned away as this is a safety hazard. Warm clothes and extra water may be needed, so please plan ahead.
You dog needs to arrive on a flat collar or normal walking gear. Ideally you would make sure the dog is not already in harness on arrival as the harness is a key part of the mantrailing ritual we use. If you normally walk on a harness or have a dog who is more comfortable in one then please bring a second harness, or we can use a bandana to cue the behaviour. I carry some Spare harnesses.

You will need a long line which is between 7m and 10m long, ideally bio thane or rubber gripped. Nylon or lunge line type lines are too heavy or abrasive for handling stronger dogs, but can be used in an intro. I have spare lines which we can use on the day to try with your dog, to trail what suits you best.

You will need enough food in tubs for six trails. Ideally small tupperwear pots that are pocket sized, bit big enough for you dog to put their nose in. These tubs can be refilled between trails with the food of choice. Ideally a nice wet food such as forthglade, sardines, cat food, cheese or liver cake. The food is an important part of the introduction and even if your dog isn’t normally foody please still bring some along. I find things the dogs don’t normally get like cheese or tuna tend to be the most exciting. If your dog isn’t normally a foody please bring a toy they play with along with you, such as a ball on a rope or tuggy toy to engage play.

Make sure you bring plenty of fresh water for the dogs as they work very hard when trailing and should have access to fresh water at all times. The dogs will need to wait in the vehicle between trails, if you have a dog who is anxious about this then please feel free to bring a member of family to sit with them between trails. If we are working in a public area there is always someone left with the vehicles at all times.

Please bring a scent article so the other dogs can trail you. A scent article is something you have worn recently, so it has a strong scent of you on it. We usually use socks, hats, neck warmers as they are on stronger smelling parts of the body. Please if you can put it in a plastic resealable bag in order to contain the smell and so it doesn’t get muddy when we use it as it will be placed on the floor.

DO NOT feed your dog breakfast/lunch before coming to the course – We want the dogs hungry in order to motivate them more on the day, if you need to feed breakfast then please only feed half, or a small portion. I know the dogs will protest but it does make life easier if they are hungry.

Please take your dog poo home with you. It is your responsibility to pick it up and bag it, and make sure your dogs worming is up to date.