The simplest explanation usually ends up being the correct one. The scent from a child wearing shoes is extremely weak and will dissipate after many hours. A barefooted child however leaves behind a very distinct trail which can be easily followed especially when fresh. A child will always go to the light so walking out the front door and going west makes much sense. The lights and noise from the tapas area would have been an attraction imo.
I'm not saying it happened that way but the evidence certainly supports it.
Madeleine couldn't see the light from the tapas area, cos block 5 building was in the way. Unless bangers were going off, neither would she have heard it.
FGS, there was block 5 building blocking sound between where she might (unlikely) have walked. Then two corners for sound waves to travel around + 70 metres to travel. And the Tapas restaurant was only a group of people having dinner ! Not exactly a crowd at a football match sound !
The evidence IMO does not support it, because as I have stated before, the towel/blanket shown to the dogs was probably handled by the lifter as he moved Madeleine. His/her sweaty smell would over power Madeleines more delicate smell.
This scent could have been left as he/she left the getaway car and walked to the apartment via the back rouite .... or could have been left as he/she doubled back to the car. I prefer that it was left as he /she left the car on the little car park and walked to the front door..
I think it far more likely that the dogs were following the lifters smell rather than Madeleines. I think that Madeleine was carried out.
On such a gusty evening, it is doubtful that any perceptable scent of a carried child would remain for the dogs to follow
Everything is IMO, but it fits and makes sense,.