Does Mantrailing Ruin Loose-Lead Walking?

Mantrailing with the finder dog, leading out front on a long line.

In mantrailing we provide our dogs with the opportunity to lead... to be out front and leading us to the hidden person. That's only right since they are the ones with the incredible nose, and our job as handlers is to interpret their actions, understand when they are on or off trail, as well as keep them safe.

Our dogs have a connection on our line, and it's not unusual that some will pull quite actively.

For those new to mantrailing, being behind the dog and not walking alongside in 'heel' and on a loose lead can seem unnatural or even undesirable. This, of course, depends on your perspective. For me, walking my dog is about giving him the freedom to explore and keeping him safe whilst doing so. I don't mind if he is in front, by my side or behind me... so long as he is safe! I'll manage him to one side if we need to pass another dog, but generally, he likes to be out front and leading to explore what he regards as 'his' territory.

Seeing a dog pulling out on a line whilst mantrailing sometimes gives rise to the question, will mantrailing ruin my heel or loose-lead walking?

The answer is a simple, no!

We use specific cues whilst mantrailing, and as with any training, dogs understand the difference between one cue and another. If you want a heel or loose lead walk, you simply use a cue appropriate to that trained behaviour. I don't, however, here's a video of my trailing dog, who pulls very actively on trail, loose-lead walking to prove it!

Samson, my trail dog, is showing that he can loose-lead walk too!