We responded to a call for projects from the Brussels Region at the end of 2023. One of these projects, entitled “Mantrailing and shelter dogs, a link to adoption” has been accepted!
Since this spring, our teams and dogs have been introduced to this activity under the supervision of mantrailing instructor Julie Sanchez.
The aim? To enable our dogs to have a constructive mental expenditure by implementing natural search and sniffing behaviors.
What is mantrailing?
Mantrailing, as we practice it here in a playful manner, is a discipline similar to tracking, where the dog follows the scent of a deliberately hidden person. This is done by the dog scenting an item belonging to the person they are searching for, such as a worn T-shirt or scarf, left at the start of the trail.
The dog is accompanied by a human handler, typically a caregiver in our shelter, who sets off to search for the hidden person. Both the dog and the handler usually do not know where the person is hiding, fostering a true collaboration between them. Mental stimulation and fatigue are guaranteed!
Why mantrailing for our shelter dogs?
Beyond the satisfaction the dog gets from tracking, mantrailing improves their well-being and bond with humans. It also provides olfactory stimulation, partially fulfilling their exploratory needs while working on their cognitive skills such as problem-solving, concentration, decision-making, and even perseverance. In our shelter, the “playful” mantrailing we practice as training exercises is also used to help dogs overcome certain challenges, such as reactivity or fear of their environment. This practice not only provides genuine enjoyment and mental stimulation but also potentially increases their chances of adoption.
Mantrailing, a discipline that is gaining popularity
With 300 million olfactory cells, dogs have a highly developed sense of smell, up to ten times better than humans! Each living being leaves a unique olfactory footprint in its environment, and the dog’s extraordinary nose is perfectly utilized in mantrailing.
Trained to ignore all other scents and focus solely on the individual they are tracking, the dog sniffs, analyzes, and memorizes, all while guided by their human handler, who acts as their anchor. It’s a teamwork between a dog analyzing scents and directing towards where they perceive a sufficient saturation of scents belonging to the missing person, and a human handler, observing and learning to interpret the dog’s cues.
How does it work?
During mantrailing, the human handler, called the “conductor,” is connected to the dog by a leash of 4 to 10 meters. They set off to search for a missing person, deliberately hidden, with the objective of finding them. Search exercises can be conducted in urban areas, forests, industrial zones, parks, etc. Each environment provides valuable learning opportunities for the dog.
Regardless of their size or age, all dogs, as long as they are healthy, are capable of searching for missing persons.
Want to learn more? Follow the training of our dogs and their caregivers on our social media channels.