Tracking and Drug work? - Page 1

Is it possibe to teach both Schutzhund tracking, and at the same time start dug work?  

Will the different types of scent work confuse the dog, and mess up the schutzhund tracking that's already been started? 

If it is reasonably possible, what would be the best  way to have the dog differentiate between the two, to lesson confusion?

The dog is still a fairly new beginner in Schutzhand tracking,  not an old pro.  

Thanks

I think your dog will be able to keep it seperated . Drug work is much different then schutzhund tracking , you could use the good old term  where is the dope  command during drug search and such of find in your schutzhund tracking . :))

Pia

Thanks Pia,  I was thinking the same myself, but in no way wanted to mess him up with his regular tracking.  

So.........I came here and asked those who would know.

I have never done Sch tracking so I am by far no expert.

With that disclaimer, I will give you my opinion based on other experience.

Training dope involves air scenting. My experience is once a dog learns to air scent, they will when the odor gets strong. I have worked police service dogs that were trained in Sch then crossed over. When on the track, these dogs still track with there nose to the ground. (Not buried in it like Sch but still pretty low) When they get close, they switch to air scenting.

I would assume that training dope or building searches or anything that involves air scenting, it will affect your Sch tracking. I would think your dog will start lifting their head to air scent when they get close to the article. Especially if there is any type of breeze. Air scenting is quicker for the dog and I would think they would switch to air in an attempt to get to the article faster.

This is only theory from what I know about air scenting and what I have seen from PSD's that were crossed over from Sch. Not stating this as fact. I am a big fan of cross training; be it different sports or Police service, SAR, whatever. But if you are training for top level competition, any cross training will affect the discipline in which you wish to compete. The negative side of cross training is you have to give a little on both ends.

Dope is pretty easy to do. Once a dog learns to search, it is pretty easy to teach them to search for different things. If you want top level competition, I would wait. If not have at it. It all depends on what your ultimate goals are.

JMHO

I only know that in the SAR group I'm training in they say always train tracking first and then air scenting. Air scening is easier for the dog and it's hard to train them in tracking after air scenting.   I believe Desert Ranger said that was the way he trained his dogs too. If I'm not mistaken he has also done the Sch. work as well. Might put out the "bat signal" and see if he shows up.

Thanks GARD for your opinion.  It does make sense.  My boy is a average showline, nothing spectalur, so I'm not bent on achieving any world trophies.......but I would like to title him.  I'm working on his Sch1 now.  Perhaps I need to work on his regular tracking more before I try and drug work.  I am a novice, so it would probably be better for me to work one thing at a time, especially if they conflict at all.

Dawgs, thanks also, you have backed up what GARD says, and what I also thought might happen.  Maybe DesertRanger can shed more light, if they read this post.  

I'd really like to do both, but not at the expense of screwing up his work for his Sch1.