Trailing refers to a particular search method. While the terms “trailing” and “tracking” are sometimes used interchangably, they actually refer to two distinct disciplines. A trailing dog is following a scent trail left by a person; at times it may follow the subject’s footprints, but its job is to follow the scent. That scent may not be strongest in the footprints, in which case the dog will search elsewhere to determine the human’s path. A tracking dog is trained to follow in a person’s footprints regardless of where the scent is strongest. Both trailing and tracking dogs work in harness and on a line held by the handler.