A trailing dog works by following the scent path of a live human.  The dog should work with it's nose on the ground most of the time, following the scent path of the subject.  A trailing dog works in a harness and with a 20-30 foot lead.  The handler learns the dog's tells (body language, head and tail carriage, speed) to interpret the correct path of the subject.

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Trailing dogs are often used to establish the subject's initial direction of travel from the point last known. They learn the scent of the subject from the scent article (item or clothing that the subject has used or worn) that is presented to them.  First responders may ask family or friends of the the missing subject to assist in obtaining a scent article from their home, car, work.  Through proper techniques, a scent article can also be obtained by retrieving scent from objects such as door knobs or handles, steering wheels, or vehicle seats.

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Another tool for trailing teams that has become available in recent years is a Scent Preservation Kit.  These are properly collected and stored glass jars with a scented gauze pad.  These kits are easy to make at home after viewing this instructional video, or you can buy a kit ready to prepare from Scent Evidence K9.  Having them made for high risk persons such as young children and family members with dementia have been a key tool to several success stories, just in the last year alone. The scent collected can last several years when collected and stored properly. You can store them in your home, office, vehicle, and take them with you when you travel away from home.

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