Follow Your Nose: Mantrailing Adventures & Scent Games for Your Dog

Aug 7

2 min read

Memphis & I Hit the Trails!

Memphis and I have just returned from a few fantastic days in Port Macquarie where we attended a Mantrailing Deep Dive. As always, we had an absolute blast!

We spent our time learning from two Senior Mantrailing Instructors (one from Ireland), picking up lots of new ideas and polishing our skills. One of my favourite exercises was split trails. Imagine two people heading off in completely different directions, with your dog having to work out which person matches the scent article. No guessing allowed—only that amazing nose!

The instructors certainly kept things interesting. Some dogs had to find their trail layer on a paddle board, while others tracked down people hiding inside giant inflatable animals. Safe to say there were plenty of laughs along the way!

The focus wasn't just on the dogs. We also spent time fine-tuning our own handling skills and learning how to better read and support our dogs while they're working.

I'm always passionate about continuing my own education, and I came home with lots of fresh ideas, fun exercises, and little training tips that I can't wait to share with my Mantrailing clients.If you've been wondering whether Mantrailing is for your dog, the answer is yes!

Mantrailing isn't just for working dogs or dogs competing in sports—it's designed for everyday family pet dogs too. It's one of the best ways to spend quality time together, allowing your dog to use their incredible nose to do what they naturally love.

There are no obedience skills required, no pressure to be perfect, and every trail is an adventure you share as a team.

Did you know that dogs who do scent work are more optimistic?

Here are a few easy Scent Searches you can do at home.Scatter Feeding

A simple way to introduce your dog to scent games while making mealtimes more enriching.

How to play:

Scatter a handful of kibble or treats on the grass or floor.
Say "Find it!"
Let your dog sniff out each piece at their own pace.
Benefits:

Slows down fast eaters.
Encourages natural foraging.
Provides mental stimulation.
Great for beginners.

Snuffle Mats

A snuffle mat encourages your dog to use their nose to search for hidden food.

How to play:

Hide kibble or treats amongst the fabric strips.
Place the mat on the floor.
Let your dog sniff and search until they've found everything.

Benefits:

Encourages natural sniffing.
Great for rainy days.
Suitable for puppies through to senior dogs.
Helps tire the brain without lots of physical exercise.

Towel Roll-Ups

An easy enrichment game using a towel you already have at home.

How to play:

Sprinkle treats along a towel.
Roll the towel up.
Encourage your dog to sniff and unroll it to find the treats.
Make it harder by tying a loose knot or rolling it tighter.

Benefits:

Builds problem-solving skills.
Encourages scent work.
Provides fun mental enrichment.
Easy to adjust for different skill levels.

Remember to always separate dogs for enrichment activities. Children can be encouraged to set up activities for dogs in advance but should avoid any interactions while the dogs are foraging/eating.