Training for Tracking - methods question? - Page 1

Haven't done tracking in a long time, and I'm curious what methods people prefer to use and why.

deleted.

PM me and I will be happy to help you.

Jim




 

     It would be nice if some of those that "could"answer that,"would" answer that for all of us to read.
    After all, isn't that what we are doing here. Learning, and hopefully sharing some valuable info that everyone don't have knowledge of!

Well i made out a post of how i was working my Gina with Two Lines in her tracking training using a Botcher harness. then i  posted it, But i changed my mind as it seems my input does not interest the very few and i decided not to leave it on here and deleted it, however even that has disappeared, that is strange to say the least
Steve1

Slam has a method using water which I think is cool. I think you start the dog off on hard surfaces for that. Maybe he'll expound upon it.

In the past, I've used the old put food down in the track method. I've also used that in a modified way, by filling a sock with something like tripe and dragging it. The sock was helpful here in this area, as then the ants
wouldn't get to the bait...although I've read that you can use frozen bait and the ants leave that alone. Haven't tried that yet. I've read some other suggestions, like putting the food drops in the little snack sized baggies if
bugs are a problem too, but then you are really interrupting the track by having to open up the baggies and feed the dog??

I've also used flags to mark the tracks, but as time goes on, some clever dogs will look for the flags, so in those cases you need to get rid of those asap and rely on natural markers in your terrain. When you get
into long tracks, it's good to learn how to diagram the track and keep a log of your training too.

Any way you slice it, tracking requires motivation. You have to put the time in...

Shady,
That method using the water is for training hard surface tracking like asphalt and concrete.  I really do love tracking and find it fascinating.  SchH or sport tracking is easy, it really is.  I am taking a break for a while and seeing how this place sorts itself out. 

JC, if you have a specific question PM me and I will be happy to help. 
 

Kitkat, This is not my job and I do not feel obligated to better this forum at this time with what ever info I might have.  I am always willing to help people but I am not going to invest hours here doing it.  mod edited see TOS  You can easily search the message board for old threads on tracking.  Numerous knowledgeable members have contributed great input over the years on these threads.  You can try other forums as well.  Some have whole sections dedicated to tracking.  I am going to spend my time posting elsewhere, where it is more satisfying. 


Steve, yes it seems if you post a topic and delete it that post is deleted also.  I'm sure people would be interested in hearing about your tracking with Gina.  The two line method works well. 

Any way you slice it, tracking requires motivation. You have to put the time in...


That is very true Shady, just like posting here....it requires motivation and time.
 






 

     Well, that is unfortunate that you feel that way about this forum,slamdunc.
I rather like this forum,even though it does not always like me. I have learned alot here (I even gave up on breeding blues).
    I spend hours here reading old threads.When I first came here, that was one of the things I liked best about this place. It has the best pedigree database,and used to have numerous members willing to talk 'shop'.
     And Steve, I always read your threads. You are one of those I consider "passionate",about your training.
    I have tried to PM you to ask you specific training advice, but you have me blocked.
NOT everyone is a member of a sch. club, and needs to have titles on our dogs to consider them valuable.
     But what is wrong with having dogs with nice pedigrees, that are well trained and just a pleasure to work at home with. Dogs that know how to act, in any situation.
     I "live"with my dogs. I don't just work with them an hour here and there and put them away. My training goes on 24/7. I love my dogs, with or without titles.
    I want them to know how to do a little bit of everything. I spend time training with them, for the fun of it. And we do have fun.
      I just would like to know I'm doing it right!!!!

I have used Gottfried Dildei's method of tracking. It has worked very well for me. He has a  great DVD on tracking. I would highly suggest getting it.

Has anyone tried table tracking / i have heard about it but haven't seen it yet

TBO, I don't have any specific questions.


I have a few books on tracking: Sch, VST, etc. by Patterson, Presnell, and others. I don't have any specific questions per ce; just curious what people do and why. Books are nice, but I like to hear as many views as possible from people who do different types of tracks. AKC, Tactical, Sport, SAR...

I used to train scent hounds by dragging a dead rabbit along the ground then tying it up a tree. But they were only trained to recognize the specific game I was working them for. I could bag an animal I needed, and drag it along. I did some Sch tracking work with already trained dogs, but since they already knew the deal, there wasn't really any training involved for me. Just "hold this leash, and walk behind the dog."

Humans have so many different scents, man-tracking amazes me. Being able to recognize a specific individual's scent from all others that might be around, that's just an incredible ability!

Tracking is something I want to start doing more of, though right now the dog I want to start training isn't a Sch dog. I just want to be able to put him on a specific human's scent, and have him follow the trail in a timely fashion (ie, quick enough to catch a human that was on-foot).

Obviously asking my friends if they mind being dragged on the ground then tied in a tree so my dog can find them isn't going to get a lot of volunteers, no matter how much beer I try to bribe them with... So I probably should adopt some new methods, lol!