Bottcher harness? - Page 1

any fine point is it's use ? My girl is starting to raise her head occasionally !  Just yesterday I noticed she rose her head three times looking either way ! But  resumed to track with her  nose down!will using this harness be detrimental or a tool for reinforcement? Any thoughts or finer points in it's use? Thanks all!

  I would appreciate an explaination if possible on how this tool works? I have never used one.

From what I understand it is used to keep the dogs nose down while tracking! Although I am unaware  of it being allowed in a trial! I would say no but was seking further feedback on it's use in training?

Deacon,
It is a harness but not in the traditional sense.  It has a belly band that is adjustable and goes around the belly.  Attached to this is another adjustable strap with a floating ring (if I remember correctly) this leather strap is attached to the belly side of the belly band then to the collar under the chin.  Since it is attached to the collar, usually a fur saver or prong and travels back to the belly; a leash or long line attached to this will pull the dogs head down when pressure is applied.  

It is the only harness allowed in a SchH trial, again if I remember correctly and the rules haven't changed.  It is designed to keep the dog's head down while tracking by applying pressure or a tug on the line.  I bought one when I was in Germany back in '96.  I think I used it twice for tracking.  I did flip it around and use it for teaching the "stand" on one of my dogs.    

I have not found an application for it with Police K-9's.  I don't even use it for SchH style tracking. 

Jim

I didn't realize it was allowed in a trial.  Good to know, Slamdunc.  Thanks.

Here is some pictures.... For horse people this like the tact they
use to keep their horses head down when teaching the flying lead
changes( draw reins). It came about the same time about 100 years ago..

You want to start young dogs with the command "such"  which sounds like
   "zukh"     It is given like you just got the winning lotto ticket.... to get the dog
very excited....ZUKkkkkHHHHH!!!!!!!!! .....ZUKKKKKHHHHH!!! pointing the
track with your finger touch it and dragging. 

   This will become an executable word that signals the dog to work.
if your not excited he is not excited. Let him know this is a big deal.

This is the start of tracking.    Zukhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!

Max:

         What if you add GADS in frt of it???

Bob,
          You get Gads! Zukh!.....my dog is tracking!

To be honest people play with this word.....I say sooot.....soooot!!!! like that.
But with extreme GLEE!

I,ve got this terrible under bite so my SSS is very prominent so after having all sorts of problems with stay and sitting it went to "tay" and works wonders....