Franksinatra,
One major change I have implemented is adding a scent article of the track layer to the distilled water.  This way in addition to "hydrating" the track you are also adding the track layers scent as well.  I do not have the track layer walk with the handler during the running of the track.  A third party will walk will follow the track layer or know the route and accompanies the handler on the track.  The third party only offers assistance if the handler needs it or requests it.  Most of the tracks are run blind to teach the handler to acquire the track and trust his dog.  I will vary the track layer hiding at the end, sometimes a toy is left or the track layer presents the toy.  No bite equipment, sleeves or bite suit are used on the track.  If the dog is getting a bite the equipment is waiting at the end or brought to the track layer after the dog has found him.  You do not want every track ending in a bite, be careful with that. 

Adding the scent article, worn sock or T-shirt to the water starts the scent discrimination tracking training.  This gets the dog following a specific individual and the dog will rule other people or tracks out.  We are very successful tracking suspects who bail from cars by letting the dog sniff the driver's seat.  Or from armed robberies where the suspects fled on foot by letting the dog sniff the "staging" area.  Naturally, one of the biggest factors is getting your Patrol Officers to set up good perimeters.  If you need any further details let me know.

Jim




 

FrankSinatra,
One thing I will add is when you start doing this approach you are going to be doing more "trailing" than tracking.  Don't be surprised if your dogs head comes up and his nose is not that deep in grass or on asphalt.  Think about how hunting dogs run deer and how fast they can run and still follow scent.  Once the dog is settled in on finding and following scent on hard surfaces we progress form there.  It is then a scent article from the track layer and the dog is agitated and taken away as the track layer runs off.  After a few minutes the dog is brought out and shown the scent article and told to track.  The dog will move very quickly and you may need to jog to keep up.  Do these short run aways at first then increasing the distance to over a mile. 

One thing to keep in mind is that the track layer should never go with the handler on the track.  Unlike SchH or sport tracking where the track layer often accompanies the handler, this is not applicable for Police tracking.  Ideally, a scent specific dog would turn around and indicate the person he is tracking, which can be painful for the track layer.  I was at a dog training seminar all weekend and will respond to your PM in a little while. 

Jim