Kernow Mantrailing

Kernow Mantrailing is a scentwork training business based in Cornwall, focused on helping people build stronger partnerships with their dogs.

The business teaches mantrailing, a structured activity where dogs follow the scent trail of a hidden person. Sessions are designed to be clear, supportive and enjoyable, using training methods grounded in behavioural understanding, trust and partnership.

Kernow Mantrailing welcomes dogs of all types, ages and experience levels. Whether you are looking to add purpose to your walks, deepen your connection with your dog, try something completely new, or give your dog a positive outlet for their natural instincts, mantrailing can be a brilliant way to train, bond and challenge yourselves together.

The business is run by Tracy Simpson and Annie Page, who have been mantrailing since 2017. Both are qualified through the British Mantrailing Academy and are operational dog handlers with Cornwall Search Dogs, bringing real-world trailing experience into every session.

As operational dog handlers, Tracy and Annie understand how to trail in different circumstances, including rural and urban locations. Their practical search experience helps them bring real-world knowledge, calm guidance and clear training methods to their clients.

Kernow Mantrailing was created to help dogs do what they naturally do best, while giving owners a fun, confidence-building activity they can enjoy together. Their values are simple: trust your dog, train with purpose, and build the partnership.

What is mantrailing?

Mantrailing is a team activity where a dog follows the scent trail of a hidden person. Working on a harness and long line, the dog is encouraged to use their nose, make decisions and lead the way.

It is one of the few dog activities where the handler hands over control to the dog and trusts them to show where to go. This can be a powerful way to build confidence, focus and communication between dog and handler.

Mantrailing can be suitable for many different dogs, including happy-go-lucky dogs, nervous dogs, reactive dogs, high-energy dogs and dogs who are simply nosey and love to investigate the world around them.

Services

• One-to-one mantrailing sessions
• Group mantrailing sessions
• Mantrailing for Wellbeing events
• Spring and Autumn TrailFest weekends
• 10-week online theory courses for beginners and intermediate handlers
• Yearly membership
• Your Mantrailing Journal

Why choose Kernow Mantrailing?

• Run by Tracy Simpson and Annie Page, who have been mantrailing since 2017
• Qualified through the British Mantrailing Academy
• Both qualified with Skills for Justice through the British Mantrailing Academy to search for missing people in rural and urban locations
• Operational dog handlers with Cornwall Search Dogs
• Real-world trailing experience brought into every session
• Supportive, fear-free and force-free training approach
• Suitable for many different dogs, including nervous, reactive, high-energy and confident dogs
• Training designed to build confidence, trust and teamwork

Qualifications and experience

Annie is an Expert Mantrailing Instructor with the British Mantrailing Academy. She also holds a Mantrailing Scent Dogs Lead Trainer Certificate at Level 4 and an IQ Level 3 Award in Education and Training.

Tracy is a Mantrailing Sports Instructor with the British Mantrailing Academy. She holds Mantrailing Scent Dogs Level 3 Certification, a Skills for Justice qualification for people search work with her dog Holly, and a Canine Behaviour Training Diploma with Distinction from the Centre of Excellence.

Both Tracy and Annie understand the bond that can develop between dog and handler when they work together as a team. As members of Cornwall Search Dogs, they have seen first-hand how dogs can use their natural abilities to follow a trail, solve problems and work in partnership with their handler.

What makes Kernow Mantrailing different?

Kernow Mantrailing combines qualified instruction with real operational search experience. Tracy and Annie know how to trail in different environments and situations, and they use that experience to help clients understand how their own dogs work.

Everything they do is fear-free and force-free, using dogs’ natural scenting abilities to create a positive and rewarding experience for both dog and handler.

Mantrailing gives dogs a chance to do something they naturally enjoy, while helping people see the world differently through their dog’s nose. It can help build confidence, deepen the bond between dog and owner, and give dogs a purposeful outlet that gets everyone outside and moving.

Good to know

• Established: 2024
• Based in: Lostwithiel, Cornwall
• Areas covered: Cornwall
• Animals worked with: Dogs
• Sessions: Thursday to Sunday each week
• Gift vouchers: Available
• Reviews: Google and Facebook reviews available

Mantrailing is a fun and rewarding activity that can change the way you see the world with your dog. It gives dogs a chance to use their natural scenting ability, while helping owners build a deeper level of trust, confidence and connection.