INTBI Mantrailing 2-Day Sport Seminar with Kevin Pirtle
Spectator place €99
Location
TBC - Cork or Wexford
Dates
September 2025. Start time each day 10am, finish each day approx. 6pm
This workshop is geared towards those training a Mantrailing Dog for sport. All levels are welcome. Mix of urban and rural training locations!
Payment
Important: If for any reason you cancel your attendance, please note the balance will only be refunded if you find someone else to take your place.
Details
Participants must be over the age of 18
Kevin Pirtle is an INBTI (International Bloodhound Training Institute) Mantrailing Instructor and assessor). Kevin is an active operational Mantrailing Dog Handler with his local Search and Rescue team as well as a professional firefighter and paramedic.
Kevin is set to return for his third Sports Mantrailing Seminar in Ireland after his hugely successful 2023 & 2024 Sports Seminar. This is a great opportunity to get to know The Kocher Method first hand! The Kocher Method is used internationally for Mantrailing SAR dogs.
What is Sport Mantrailing
Sports mantrailing is primarily a recreational or competitive activity. It is a hobby or sport, similar to activities like dog agility or obedience trials. The primary goal is to enjoy the process of training and working with your dog to follow a specific scent trail and locate a hidden person.
In the Sports Mantrailing Seminar, the emphasis is on training dogs and handlers to work effectively together in a controlled and safe environment. The training may include scent discrimination exercises and the development of search techniques, but will be less intense and specialized compared to SAR Mantrailing Seminar.
The main objective of the Sports Mantrailing Seminar is to have fun, strengthen the bond between the dog and handler, and up the skills of handler and dog. It is not used for or will prepare you for search and rescue missions.
Handlers should be available the evening before the seminar start day for a 'meet and greet' with Kevin and Rosali. This will be a great opportunity for you to tell Kevin about your dog and what you would like to achieve over the two days. The two days of the seminar focus on practical skills, so it is important to meet Kevin the evening before to ask questions and for him to get to know you and any specific goals you have.
Note: this seminar will be active and physically demanding. You do not need to be super fit but this is an outdoor activity. You will be pushed outside your comfort zone over the two days.