Trail Hunt International

I am now able to bring to you Trail Hunt International which is a brand new scent work sport - it’s a blend of tracking and trailing and accessible to all dogs.

The best bit is you can practice on your own in-between sessions. But don’t worry there will still be progression/club sessions to come to as well.

Instead of following human scent we teach the dogs to follow an aniseed odour trail to find their pod. Just as with mantrailing, the dogs are permitted to follow odour drifts and do not have to be as regimented as tracking. Don’t worry if you already have a mantrailing dog, Trail hunting will not affect their mantrailing ability. If anything it will only enhance it, giving them extra opportunity to practice their trailing super skills.

The dogs are taught to do the sport through a series of progressive exercises during an introduction course. This is 2 full days worth of teaching (with an hour lunch break each day). The foundations course costs £100 per dog. This also includes a number of introductory bonuses.

Goodie bag - including dog treats and food voucher, pin badge and pen.

Trail Pod starter kit (worth £16)

Dog registration with ID card (worth £30)

Log book

Certificate of completion

The foundations course is taught in small groups. Space can be allowed for reactive dogs.

After the foundations course you can join ad hoc club sessions (like mantrailing progression sessions) where you can meet up with other Trail Hunters and I will coach you on your trails, practicing what you learnt on the foundations course. Club sessions will be £20 per dog (same as my mantrailing sessions).

After the 1st foundations course, when you are ready, there is another full day foundations plus course. Here you will learn even more exercises to practice. These are concentrating on eliminating Human scent. On completing this course you will receive a 2nd certificate and rosette. At this point you will then be able to go onto complete achievement tests.

Once your dog is registered with Trail Hunt International you can work towards achievement tests and from later in 2025 grade tests will also be available.

There is also a dedicated facebook group for registered members with weekly tips and podcasts from the founder of Trail Hunt International, Alex Butler. And of course a community of supportive fellow trail hunters.

Don’t forget during this introductory period I am giving you your dog registration as part of your foundations course fee.