Owning a reactive dog can definitely be tough. It’s hard to just enjoy a walk without constantly worrying about whether your dog is going to react—whether it’s barking, lunging, or any other behaviour you’d rather avoid.
So, what actually happens when your dog reacts? Many of us see the barking, lunging, or other unwanted behaviours as a problem, but to your dog, these actions are just natural reactions. When your dog reacts, their body releases chemicals like cortisol, adrenaline, endorphins, and norepinephrine. These hormones are being released all the time, but when your dog has a strong reaction, they get a big surge of these chemicals. This is why your dog can still feel on edge even after the trigger (like another person or dog) has passed. In fact, it can take up to 72 hours for these chemicals to return to normal levels—without any other reactions happening. And since many dogs experience multiple triggers on a walk, those chemicals just keep building up.
On top of that, we, as owners, also feel those same chemicals when we're faced with our dog’s triggers, which can lead us into a cycle of stress and reactions, making every walk feel like a challenge.
So, how can Mantrailing help with all this?
Mantrailing is a sport where your dog follows a specific person's scent to find them. They get a reward at the end—something tasty or fun—and get to use their nose for a task they naturally love. Dogs link experiences with scent and these associations can be either positive or negative. We want to create positive associations, and as a result, your dog will release endorphins and serotonin—the "feel-good" hormones that make them feel happy and calm. It’s similar to how you feel excited before a fun trip or when you're about to have your favourite treat.
However, these scent experiences need to be carefully managed. Negative experiences can have a lasting impact, which is why we focus on making sure every Mantrailing session is fun and positive, especially for nervous, fearful, or reactive dogs. Our instructors are trained to help ensure your dog has a great experience from the start.
Each dog works individually has has their trails set up accordingly to meet their needs. The goal is to build a strong positive association with the activity itself, so that over time, your dog begins to feel more relaxed. Many dogs who start Mantrailing eventually become able to walk past other dogs, horses, bikes, and cars—without reacting, in day-to-day life too. They learn that trailing is much more enjoyable and less stressful than reacting, which helps reduce their overall reactivity.
Dogs that are reactive to people can absolutely join in to. Our instructors are great at tailoring the experience to each dog's needs. Dogs who wear muzzles are 100% still welcome at our sessions and we’ll either have experienced trailers hide for the dog or ask people your dog already trusts to be their "Trail Layer." We’re very mindful of the setup, ensuring your dog still has fun and doesn’t feel restricted. If this sounds like your dog, we recommend getting in touch with your instructor ahead of time so they can make sure the setup is right for them.
Starting Mantrailing can do wonders for both your dog's confidence and your own. It can also help you feel more relaxed as an owner. We know that having a reactive dog can sometimes feel isolating and discouraging. It’s easy to feel like you’ll never get past your dog’s issues and that you’re in it alone. But one of the great things about Mantrailing is that while each dog works individually, it's still a group class, so you get to meet other like-minded owners. It's a huge boost to see your dog succeed at something, especially when you’ve often had to skip group classes due to anxiety or reactivity.
Mantrailing is for all dogs—no matter their age, breed, or behavioural issues.
How to get started?
It’s super simple! Just find your local Mantrailing Global Instructor and sign up for an introduction course.
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