What a fabulous day at the LMA mantrailing day with One Track Mind. Dog Training, Tracking & Trailing for our first ever session! The event took place at the stunning and picturesque Cannock Chase, which served as the perfect backdrop for our day of learning, bonding, and adventure.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to all members who attended—whether you were trying mantrailing for the first time or building on your existing experience. Your enthusiasm and commitment contributed to the positive, supportive atmosphere that made the day so special.
The training sessions were led with professionalism and insight, giving both handlers and dogs valuable hands-on experience in tracking and trailing techniques. It was truly rewarding to see our dogs so engaged and our members so eager to learn.
Urban mantrailing in South Wales (June 2024) – Ceri Simpson
Members and non- members of the Large Munsterlander Association (proposed) gathered in Wales for an exciting Urban Mantrailing Day in collaboration with Discovery Dogs. The event was designed to introduce both dogs and handlers to the fundamentals of mantrailing in an urban environment, with a strong emphasis on using scentwork to develop teamwork, focus, and confidence.
The Large Munsterlanders impressed with their natural aptitude for tracking and determination in challenging urban settings.
Handlers received expert guidance from certified instructors, learning how to read their dog’s cues and interpret changes in scent behaviour.
This hands-on experience not only highlighted the breed’s excellent scenting abilities but also provided a fun and mentally enriching activity for both dogs and their owners. The day concluded with a short debrief, where participants shared their progress and celebrated the successes of their trail runs.
We thank Discovery Dogs for hosting such a well-organised and engaging session and look forward to more opportunities that allow our Munsterlanders to thrive and showcase their working abilities
Scent and trailing sessions – Stephanie Phillips
This event was organised by Stephanie Phillips with Aidy from Scent to Success and provided an introduction to scent trailing. Aidy is a qualified instructor and has a passion for working with dogs. The event took place in a public park in Stockport.
Scent trailing is suitable for all breeds of dog of all ages and as the dogs work individually accommodates nervous, shy and reactive dogs. On the day we had Large Munsterlanders and a couple of field spaniels.
The day was split into 3 sessions with 4 teams in each session. Aidy outlined what would happen and how the trail would be set. When the dogs are not working, they stay in their vehicles. Only the dog which is working is out and this is why it is so good for shy, nervous or reactive dogs. One person always stays with the cars and the dogs who are not working on that trail. Another person is the “lost” person and Aidy would take them away to lay the trail and leave them in the lost place, behind a hedge, sat on a park bench, behind a building, etc and that person would have a treat ready for the dog when he/she was found. Anyone else who is there can then follow the tracking dog, at a reasonable distance, to observe what is happening.
The scent article which is used to provide the dog with the scent could be a stick the lost person has held, or simply a handprint on a post or tree. The scent can be put down in a number of ways depending upon the dog’s ability and experience, ie whether they have trailed before or are first timers. The lost person can be asked to place their hands at intervals on the ground as they walking or, if the dog is experienced, they just walk and the footprints are the scent. The trails can be easy and relatively short or longer with loops and track backs. The more experienced dogs can have two people hide, but just one is the lost person or the lost person can be moving and not hiding in one place.
The team, the dog and handler, would then track the trail and find the person. The dogs wear a harness and the handler has them on a long line. The dog is presented with the scent article and asked to “sniff and trail”. The dog is then left to work matters out for him/herself.
All the dogs picked up the idea straight away and were off nose to the ground to find the lost person. Watching the dogs use their natural ability to follow a trail and find a missing person is wonderful and everyone present on the day was amazed at their dog’s natural ability to pick out an individual scent and track it across parkland to the lost person. Each dog worked in their own way. Some were slow and methodical and others were quick and knew straight away where to go.
The day was a great success with everyone eager to do another session and asking if one would be arranged. The individuals who attended also enjoyed meeting up with other Large Munsterlander owners, sharing stories and experiences.