Instructions
Use a flashlight to search for paw prints, if you're tracking an animal at night. The flashlight can help illuminate areas beyond the main path where the animal may have wandered.
Tread lightly. You and the rest of your party need to walk softly. When possible, wear small, light shoes. Your footprints might damage paw prints that are yet to be found.
Move to the side of the trail so you don't disturb any paw prints. Whether in dirt or snow, you should be able to continue to follow the paw prints as long as you don't walk on them and ruin the trail.
Stay on the side of the trail, even if you see no paw prints. If you pat down the mud or snow with your shoes, then the animal will not be able to leave fresh prints, which will make your search efforts that much more difficult.
Be on the lookout for turnarounds. While walking along, the animal may decide to turn around and head back the other way. When the paw prints turn or become jumbled, this could be a turnaround. Again, continue following back the opposite way without stepping on the prints.
How to Find Paw Prints Without Powder
If your dog has become lost, whether from your home or while out in the wilderness, one thing that you can use to help you find your companion is a trail of paw prints. In both soft dirt of mud and fresh snow, your dog will leave unmistakable prints that you can use to help with your search efforts. An effective method of identifying paw prints is covering the ground with powdered chalk. However, if you do not have any powdered chalk, you will still be able to find the paw prints.