The Sport of Search & Rescue for pet dogs

Training dogs to find people by using their nose.

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Mantrailing is a sport of tracking and air scenting in order to find a missing person. Instead of searching for someone who’s actually missing, we use this skill as an engaging and enjoyable activity for both dogs and their owners.

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Every person gives off their own unique scent. As we go about our day, tiny particles - like skin cells, hormones, bacteria and sweat  - constantly fall from our bodies. These scent particles drift through the air, move with the wind, and eventually settle onto the environment around us.

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In mantrailing, we start by giving the dog a scent article that belongs to the person they’ll be searching for. Once the dog has taken in that scent, they use the trail left behind to track and locate the specific individual.

Although scent tracking is a vital skill used by search and rescue teams, police, and military forces, it’s also incredibly accessible as a hobby. Mantrailing offers a brilliant way to give dogs mental stimulation, build confidence, and strengthen the bond between dog and handler.