Tracking - Page 4

When I think of forced track, one of the techniques that comes to mind is turning the elecrtic on continuous, until the dog downs at each article. Dog finds article, electric off--as platzing at the article is the "safe spot", then dog re-commanded to track, electric back on until he comes to the next article.

It would be akin to having your mom turn on the electric at the start of dinner, and not turn it off until your plate is clean. You learn real quick that an empty plate is a good thing. BUT, you can not rush:)

--Mary

Every tool's application is based on the individual dog. So the application of turning on the electric until the article is reached may or may not be appropriate. Again, most forced tracking is done by the higher level trainers that understand how to use it effectively and only as long as it takes for the dog to have the skill downpat. I know many of these trainers personally and have trained with them when using the technique. These people are caring and cognizant of carefully using this method as they do all other methods. This method is not for everyone as is anything in the dog world, but it is effective and non abusive as I have seen it used primarily. Of course there have been people that shouldn't have used it just like some people shouldn't used a prong or choke chain. I certainly would not condone an abusive technique in my view....but then again I think that people that treat dogs like people instead of dogs are somewhat abusive because they base thing on human values.JMO

Hey Sue, dont let  someone run you off because they cant be nice.  just ignore them and go on.

Hey Langhaar, what titles have you put on your dogs? 

Me, sch3 on my bitch, sch1 on my male and still going.

I learned to use 2 lines from Dean also.  Very effective method.   i  dont think of it as forced,  its more of a guiding technique, used to show the dog exactly what they are to be following, and keeping them from wandering off.  if the dog gets distracted it is easy to get them back into the work without having to make a big scene that may cause more confussion than good.

i have heard of other forms of "forced" tracking, such as the electric, or using a pole to make the dog work.  never seen it or tried it. 

Dont knock someone's method of training if you dont know anything about it.    especially if you have never seen it done, and done properly. 

good training to all of you,

john