In early June, I had the honour of travelling to Riga, Latvia, to take part in a three-day INBTI seminar—a truly international gathering of Mantrailing handlers, instructors, and spectators.
The seminar was a brilliant example of what makes the INBTI and the Kocher Method so powerful: unity through diversity. Teams from all over Europe—Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Hungary, and Ireland—came together to train, learn, and grow. We didn’t all speak the same language, but when it came to working dogs, we were completely in sync.
If you’ve ever wondered what the Kocher Method really looks like in practice—or what it’s like to train with top instructors—you’ll have the opportunity to see it first-hand this July in Ireland.
Observer spots are now open for the INBTI seminar I’m hosting with Monica Díaz (Spain) & Horst Konrad (Austria) and trust me: it’s a front-row seat to some serious dog magic.
The Power of the Kocher Method—Across Borders and Breeds
One of the most inspiring things about Riga was seeing the Kocher Method in action across such a variety of teams. From high drive working dogs to sport trailers just starting out, every team was able to apply the method in real time, in varied conditions, and in totally different environments.
What really stood out was how each INBTI instructor brought a different perspective—same foundation, but with unique insights that sparked breakthroughs for teams. Whether it was refining leash handling, improving motivation, or troubleshooting tricky scent pools, there was always something new to learn.
As a spectator, this is where the gold lies. You see the full picture—different dogs, different handlers, and how instructors’ problem-solve in real time. It’s like a masterclass in dog behaviour and training thinking.
Kevin Kocher & The Chair in the Photo
In every INBTI seminar group photo, you’ll notice a chair with a copy of How to Train a Police Bloodhound resting on it. That book, written by Kevin Kocher, represents far more than a training manual — it symbolises the legacy of the man who founded INBTI and developed the method we follow today. Kevin always described himself humbly as "a simple dog handler," but to those who trained with him, he was a mentor of extraordinary dedication. After being diagnosed with MS, Kevin made it his mission to travel the world, sharing his knowledge so others could carry on the work of finding missing persons through mantrailing. As his illness progressed, his continued commitment to training and mentoring left a deep impression on all who met him. Kevin Kocher passed away in 2017, but his influence lives on. The chair in every photo is a quiet tribute — a reminder that Kevin is still part of every seminar, every trail, and every handler’s journey.
In this photo from Left to right : Asta Ambrazeviciene - Lituania (Assistant Instructor), Roberta Vaiciuliene - Lithuania (Assistant Instructor), Oleg Potaptsuk - Instructor (Estonia), Jurij Aleksandrov - Lithuania (Instructor), Monica Diaz - Spain (Instructor), Irina Brunina - Latvia (instructor), Éadaoin O’Gorman - Ireland (Assistant Instructor)
A Seminar Organised with Heart: Thank You, Bezvests.lv
The hosting team in Riga was Bezvests.lv, Latvia’s only volunteer-based search and rescue organisation. Founded in 2009, they’ve completed over 2,000 missions and located at least 142 missing people. Their team of 180+ volunteers includes everything from drone pilots and divers to thermal imaging specialists and a highly skilled dog team.
Their certified SAR dogs—handled by professional cynologists (the formal name for dog handlers)—play a vital role in their operations. It was both inspiring and humbling to train alongside such a dedicated and experienced group.
Riga Reflections: A City That Lives Well
On a personal note, I fell in love with Riga. It’s a city built with people (and dogs!) in mind—clean, green, and full of energy. Every neighbourhood had a park, play areas, and sports facilities. The food was amazing, the people were warm, and the beaches? Genuinely stunning.
The seminar itself was beautifully run—opening and closing ceremonies, a community BBQ, 20 different training sites, and seamless support from translators and group coordinators. A real example of how good dog training events should be done.
An INBTI Assistant Instructor (Officially!)
Many of you already know that I was recently nominated and confirmed as an Assistant Instructor with INBTI. Riga was a check, to see if I was ready for this new role. In the INBTI, just fulfilling the requirements isn’t enough to become an Assistant Instructor. The requirements check that you understand the theory of the method. To become an Assistant Instructor, you need to show that you can apply the theory in a flexible way to each individual dog, in the context of the environment that you are working in. It was a fantastic experience to step into the next chapter of my Mantrailing journey with such a brilliant group with Bernard Stummer as instructor.
Your Invitation: Observer Spots for July Seminar Now Open
So—here’s where you come in.
This July, I’ll be hosting Monica Díaz Trias & Horst Konrad here in Ireland at University College Cork for a 2-day INBTI seminar, and a limited number of observer (spectator) places are now open.
💡 Why attend as a spectator?
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Learn how the Kocher Method is applied across different dogs and scenarios
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Watch real-time problem solving and coaching from an international instructor
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Get insights into Mantrailing, scent theory, leash handling, and motivation techniques
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Connect with a supportive community of handlers and trainers
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Attend the online call to meet the instructors ahead of the seminar where we will talk about the Kocher Method, goals of the handlers and any questions you have.
You don’t need to be an experienced handler to attend. Whether you’re new to Mantrailing, want to understand what makes this method so effective, or you’re just a training nerd like me—you’ll get huge value from watching.
Spectator Spot 2 days - 5th and 6th of July
Spectator Spot 1 day - 5th of July
Spectator Spot 1 day - 6th of July
🎯 Spaces are limited, and once they’re gone, that’s it. If you’d like to attend, book your spot now.
Thanks for reading—and I hope to see you in July!
– Éadaoin
Assistant Instructor, INBTI | Founder of Hounds and Helis