Mantrailing, when dogs have a special sense of smell

It's not just those involved with law enforcement. There's also a sport that's very beneficial for dogs.

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When you think of a dog that sniffs and tracks someone, your first thought goes to judicial investigations that use this extraordinary resource of dogs to search for missing persons, or even for traces of a crime committed. Or you think of the dog we find at the airport when it's time to go through customs. In reality, the Mantrailing It is a true canine discipline, in which dogs exploit their olfactory abilities, following the trail of a single person, among many others, to find him.
 

How does the Mantrailing

The word comes from English the Commission (man) and trailing  (trace/(to chase), that is, to follow a person's path. It works like this, like a lot of gradualness:
  • a person (called a "person") moves away for a few meters
  • drop some “reinforcements” (like treats) along the way
  • the dog smells an object with its scent (for example a glove or a personal item of clothing)
  • then he leaves to look for her

At the beginning the tracks are short, fresh and simple, often in sight or almost. The difficulty gradually increases (longer distance, longer time, different environments).

The equipment

It doesn't take much, but a few things are essential:
  • pettorina (better than a collar, so the dog can work freely without discomfort)
  • lead wire (usually 5–10 meters)
  • awards (very tasty food or favorite game)
  • objects with the smell of the person to be searched for

Where it takes place

You can start in quiet and not too crowded places, such as:

  • uncrowded parks
  • quiet streets
  • open areas

The fundamental rules

  • the dog is always right: if he changes direction, slows down or seems undecided, don't fix it right away. It is processing olfactory information that you cannot perceive.
  • the dog must be free to decide
  • il Mantrailing It is very suitable for puppies
  • the lead is only for safety, not for "carrying" the dog
  • the dog must smell the target object well.

Dog breeds with a special sense of smell

All dogs have a highly developed sense of smell. But some breeds are particularly suited to tracking a person. These include:
  • Bloodhound
    It is considered the absolute best at tracking even very old human tracks. It has an incredibly keen sense of smell and great perseverance.
  •  Basset hound
    Slower, but extremely precise. He works with his nose down and great concentration.
  • German shepherd
    Widely used in operational settings (law enforcement, search). Excellent balance between smell, obedience, and endurance.
  • Labrador Retriever
    Excellent nose and great motivation. Often used to search for people and substances.
  • belgian malinois
    Extremely fast and responsive. Works well but requires expert management.
  • Beagle
    Extraordinary sense of smell, very determined. Can be a bit independent.
  • coonhound
    Specialized in following tracks over very long distances.

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