Mantrailing

Confidence. Connection. Adventure.

Follow your dog’s incredible nose as they search for a hidden person through parks, woodlands and urban environments across West Yorkshire. Whether you’re looking to build confidence, strengthen your partnership or simply have fun together, every trail is an adventure.

Book Your First Session

Learn How It Works

What is Mantrailing?

Mantrailing is a fun, scent-based activity where your dog follows the unique scent of a hidden person.

Using their incredible nose, they’ll work their way through parks, woodland and urban environments to locate their trail layer, making decisions and solving problems along the way.

Every trail is different, every dog works in their own way, and watching them use their natural abilities is incredibly rewarding.

Whether your dog is full of confidence or needs a little encouragement, mantrailing is suitable for dogs of all breeds, ages and experience levels.

No previous experience needed!

Why try Mantrailing?

Mantrailing gives your dog the chance to use their incredible sense of smell to do something they were born to do. It’s mentally enriching, builds confidence and gives you a whole new way to work together.

Uses their natural abilities

Mantrailing gives your dog the freedom to use their nose, make their own decisions and solve problems independently.

Builds confidence

Working things out for themselves and succeeding on the trail can help dogs become more confident in their own abilities.

Provides mental enrichment

Following a trail is a workout for the brain, giving your dog a purposeful and rewarding way to use their nose and problem-solving skills.

Strengthens your connection

You learn to read your dog, trust their decisions and work together as a team, building confidence at both ends of the lead.

Who is Mantrailing for?

Pretty much any dog! Mantrailing can be adapted to suit the individual dog in front of us, whatever their breed, age, size or experience.

From confident dogs looking for a new adventure to dogs who need a little more space or support, trails can be tailored to help each dog enjoy the activity in their own way.

Your dog doesn’t need to fit a mould

Big or small, young or old, confident or cautious, Mantrailing gives dogs the opportunity to work in a way that suits them. There’s no pressure to keep up with anyone else and no expectation that every dog should work in the same way.

We celebrate the dog in front of us, whether they charge down the trail at full speed or prefer to take their time and carefully work things out.

Your first Mantrailing session

Your first session is all about introducing you and your dog to the game. You don’t need any previous experience, and there’s no expectation that you’ll arrive knowing what to do. You’ll get to see Mantrailing in action before having a go yourself, with support every step of the way.

Get settled in

We’ll start with a quick kit check and briefing so you know how everything works. Then everyone introduces themselves and their dog, including anything the group needs to know, such as whether they need extra space or prefer not to be approached.

Watch and learn

You won’t be thrown straight in! Typically one of our more experienced teams will trail first, giving you the chance to follow along, see how everything works and ask questions before it’s your turn!

Have your first go

When it’s your turn, we’ll introduce your dog to the game and get you started on your first trail. I’ll guide you both through it every step of the way, so there’s no pressure to get everything right.

Relax and enjoy it!

Sessions are friendly, relaxed and supportive, and everyone wants to see you and your dog succeed. You’ll have plenty of help while your dog gets to show you exactly what they’re capable of!

Mantrailing FAQs

Got questions before you book? Here are a few of the things we’re asked most often about getting started with Mantrailing.

That’s absolutely fine. Your dog doesn’t need to be comfortable with strangers to enjoy mantrailing. We can adapt how the trail layer behaves, how close they are and how your dog’s reward is delivered to help them feel comfortable and successful.

There’s no pressure for your dog to interact with or be touched by anyone. We’ll work at their pace and give them the space they need while they learn that finding their trail layer can be a really rewarding experience.

Absolutely! Mantrailing can be a brilliant activity for reactive dogs, and we regularly welcome dogs who need extra space. Sessions are run with this in mind, and we’ll make sure the rest of the group knows what your dog needs. Dogs work one at a time, so they don’t need to interact with other dogs to take part.

Not at all! Your dog doesn’t need perfect recall, loose lead walking or any special training to start Mantrailing. We’ll teach you everything you need to know during your introduction, and your dog will learn the game as we go. All they really need is a nose and something they find rewarding?

You’ll need a well-fitting Y-shaped harness, an 8-10m long line (not a retractable lead) and plenty of high-value food rewards in small, pocket-sized tubs. You’ll also need to bring a small scented article in a sealed sandwich bag for the other dogs to trail from

Don’t worry if you haven’t got everything yet! I generally have spare equipment available, and we’ll check your kit at the start of your session and make sure you’re happy with how to use it.

That’s completely fine! Every dog learns the game differently, and there’s no pressure for them to get it right straight away. We’ll adapt the trail to suit your dog and help them understand the game at their own pace.

Your dog’s first trails are designed to set them up for success, and I’ll be there to guide you both throughout. Sometimes the dogs we’re least sure about are the ones who surprise us the most!

Our Mantrailing sessions take place at a variety of locations across West Yorkshire, including Huddersfield, Wakefield, Leeds and the surrounding areas.

We use lots of different environments, from parks and woodland to town centres and more urban locations. Changing locations keeps things interesting and gives you and your dog the chance to develop your skills in different environments as you progress.

You’ll receive the exact meeting location and details before your session, so you’ll know exactly where to find us!

Once you’ve completed your introduction, you can join any of our regular Mantrailing progression sessions, with no ongoing commitment. You simply book sessions whenever they suit you and your dog.

Some of our teams come every week (the die-hards sometimes twice a week! 😂), some come fortnightly or monthly, and others pop back every few months. There’s no right or wrong way to do it.

As you gain experience, we’ll continue to build on your skills with different environments, longer and more challenging trails, different types of hides and new problems for your dog to solve. Sessions are tailored to the individual teams attending, so you’ll always progress at a pace that suits you and your dog.

And don’t worry about taking a break. Once your dog understands the game, they don’t forget how to trail!

What our Mantrailing teams say

Don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what some of our Underdog teams have to say about their Mantrailing adventures!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Trailing with Amy has made a huge difference to my nervous and reactive dog… when she first started trailing, she was scared of the world but now loves trailing with The Underdog Project and can’t wait to get out on the trail. Definitely recommend!

Hannah B.
Owner of Noodle

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

We love our trailing sessions with The Underdog Project! While it’s great for my dog, I also love the social aspect, I’ve met some really lovely like-minded people and sessions are always so much fun. Amy is brilliant, very knowledgeable and always makes you feel at ease. I always really look forward to our sessions!

Ellie L.
Owner of Stevie

Ready to start trailing?

Whether you’re looking for a new adventure, a confidence boost or simply a fun way to spend time with your dog, your Mantrailing journey starts here.

Book Your First Session