Canine Behaviour Coaching and ManTrailing

31/05/2026

🐾🐾MANTRAILING SESSIONS 🐾🐾
Upcoming dates for June; 5th&6th, 12th&13th, 26th&27th.
Locations Scottish borders and Dumfries & Galloway.

Aberdeenshire on the 19th, 20th & 21st.

All levels welcome, from complete beginner to advanced teams.

Call or WhatsApp 07813072510 for details or to Book a place.

16/04/2026

The best approach? None.
None at all.

I want a dog to feel safe.
Secure.
To understand, clearly, that I am no threat.

And the quickest way to do that?
Take the pressure right off.

No reaching. No leaning in and no stepping into their space.

Because the moment you move toward them, or bend down in an attempt to connect with them, you’ve already changed how it feels for them.

Dogs don’t need us to prove we’re friendly.
They need us to be non-threatening.

There’s a big difference.

And this isn’t just about them.
It’s about you too.

You may know nothing about this dog. That matters.

If you crouch down right in front of them, you’ve just put yourself in a compromised position.

Your centre of gravity is now off.
Your movement will then be slower.
Your ability to step away quickly is reduced.

If this dog reacts?
You’ve lost those crucial seconds and your face is right there directly in front of theirs.

So, try this instead

Turn your body.
Stay upright.
Give lots of space.

Let them decide if they want to come closer.

Because the clearest and best message you can send a dog is this:
I’m not here to pressure you.

12/04/2026

The importance of choice.

How much choice do our dogs have in their lives?

We dictate most of our dogs lives, when they eat, when and where and for how long they exercise, who they get to interact with, whether they want to or not! Even when they can go to the toilet.

For safety and our need to work and earn dog food tokens, we are forced into our routines and time constraints, but for their well-being dogs also need some agency in their lives, giving our dogs more choices is a gift, respecting their need to participate actively in their own well-being (and ours) will improve their confidence, quality of life and their trust and connection with us.

It might just be as simple as allowing your dog time to sniff on a walk, or choose the direction of the walk.

It's one of the reasons I love Mantrailing, it's a great activity where your dog can take charge of directions and show you how amazing their scenting ability really is!

11/04/2026

I've been reminded this week about the importance of allowing a dog time to feel comfortable and safe in a new environment, before you try to teach anything.
It doesn't matter what your schedule is, if a dog doesn't feel safe it can't learn!
Less hast, more speed.

22/03/2026

Last minute workshop on Sunday
11-1
Contacts and weaves … any stage of training

Look forwards to seeing you there 💜

https://bookwhen.com/soagility/e/ev-sog2l-20260315110000

22/03/2026

🐾 Mantrailing sessions – beginners and experienced teams welcome

I’m running mantrailing sessions suitable for both novice and more advanced dog/handler teams.

If you’re new, you’ll be guided through the foundations so your dog can learn to follow a specific human scent trail with confidence. For those with experience, trails can be adapted to add distance, age, and environmental challenges.

Mantrailing is suitable for all breeds, and it works particularly well for dogs who need mental stimulation or prefer working one-to-one rather than in busy group settings.

📍 Small group sessions
🐕 Dogs work individually
🧭 Trails adapted to each team’s level

📩 Message the page for upcoming dates or to book a space, or Whatsapp 07813072510.

22/03/2026

21/03/2026

Bee working her first tracking over water exercise 🙂

13/01/2026

🐾🐾Tony Briggs at Canine Behaviour Coaching 🐾🐾

Alongside first class puppy and general obedience training, Canine Behaviour Coaching offers regular Mantrailing sessions, Gundog training and Area search dog training, in Dumfries & Galloway and also Aberdeenshire. Call or WhatsApp on 07813 072510

Training with a professional with over 30 years of hands-on practical experience,
Expert guidance for all Dog-Handler teams, from beginners trough to advanced, with strong focus on quality handling and creating confident dogs set up for success in real world situations.
Whether you are training for enrichment, sport, operational deployment or for personal development, you will benefit from the positive and supportive atmosphere, along with decades of knowledge and a passion for developing and bringing out the best in every dog-handler team.

11/01/2026