Loose line tracking, thoughts? - Page 1

I've always been taught to keep some level of tension on the tracking line.  Recently I read Gary Patterson's tracking book and he advocates "loose line" tracking to avoid creating opposition reflex (among other things) in the dog.  I've noticed trhat my young (drivey) bitch seems to track much calmer on a loose line and my adult, force tracked male seems much less stressed on a loose line.  Both seem to do much better on the corners with the line loose.  Before, I was always blocking them with the line when they over-shot corners and both would tend to circle and re-aquire the track.  On the loose line they tend to not circle...

Any opinion on loose vs. "tight" line tracking?

Thanks,

-Calvin

I am not a good tracking person at all, but I would imagine that just as various methods of OB work for each dog different, it would be the same in tracking.  I mean look at Wallace Payne, he just won the North American FH Championship with NO line!!!

Do what works for you and your dog.

I have never used force in tracking and see no reason to, one tracks with tension the other does not.

most dogs who have drive will pull somewhat and therefore create a tight line.  My dogs pull, however I teach them "easy" and so they do not pull so hard I have to physically pull back hard to keep them slow.  In training, teaching them not to pull hard is a good thing.  As for actually tracking on a loose line - I've encountered judges who will penalize a line that is slack - even if the dog isn't pulling, keep the line taught - if it is slack you can lose "stupid handler points" for walking too close to your dog.  If the line is slack that means you are closer than the required distance, and the judge can "get you" for it.

molly

I think we need to differentiate between styles required for different disciplines, you will not be penalised for tracking on a loose line in Schutzhund!

I am talking about Schutzhund.  Yes you CAN (depending on the judge) be penalized for tracking on a loose line in Schutzhund - because the required distance is 33' and the line is measured - if the line is too loose then obviously the handler is closer than the required distance.  Even if the dog is off-lead the handler must maintain at least 33' from the dog while he is tracking.  So loose line can and will be penalized, especially in the higher-level trials.  That does not mean the dog must pull on the line - the line can be "loose" but not "slack".

molly

Sorry I do not understand the difference between slack and loose then.

If the handler was too close then the line would be dragging on the floor................ so to me dragging on floor is different from slack/loose.........

the line just has to be "tight" - that is, no slackness to it.  No of course there would be no penalty for the dog tracking without pulling, or if he is pulling - the handler can train the dog to track without pulling, or hold the pulling dog at a slow pace.  But if the line is slack - hanging down - the  handler can be penalized, have seen it happen myself.

molly