Tracking - Page 1

On the subject of training:  Tracking:  I would like to read some different opinions in regards to working the corners on a track.  Is it preferable to allow the dog to circle and figure the coner out for themselves?  Or, is it better to be very hands on and not allow the dog to make a mistake?

Marnie

614.330.4071

With my dog, which we're still really beginners at tracking; I see if he can do it himself at first, then, if he can't figure it out i'll give him a little tug on the lead to help his nose a bit. But other than that, I don't help him much. I'm a beginner at tracking, though, so I just use what works for my dog. :]

-emily.

I was taught to double-lay the corners at first, so there is lots of scent there. Also, if you're using food drops, LOTS of food at the corner, until the dog is experienced with figuring them out.

And yes, you let him work it out on his own.

Whoops, should have been more specific. Give the dog enough slack to circle, but don't let him get too far away from the track. Give him only enough line to get, say, 10 ft. or so off the track., then hold tight and make him think he's  hit the end of the line. IF he gets too far off the track, he may not find it.

Would allowing him to circle create a behavior pattern?  The question is do we allow the dog to make errors and figure it out on his own or do we get very hands on and prevent the mistakes.

I have posed this question to generate a dynamic discussion of different training tracking techniques.  I am writing an article geared to newbies in the sport.

My personal feeling is that it depends on each dog and handler team.  My Dobe is a great problem solver and can figure it out corners on her own with out falling into a pattern of circling.  Early in her training I allowed her to circle and go off track.  She did that maybe twice before she slowed herself down and worked the corners slowly.  She never had to circle again.  She is also the one I tracked off lead.  My GSD is better if I am hands on and don't allow her to circle or go off track.  She is verry prone to falling into movement patterns.  If she figures a corner out by circling once, then she wants to circle the rest of the corners.  If I correct/verbal negative que her once for starting to circle or going off track then she slows down to a methodical pace and succesufully works the corners.  I also do a warm up track with her before I do my actual track.  The warm up is where she gets the hands on guidence.  Then when she does the actual track she works it slow and methodical like a pro.

Are there any thoughts as to the possibility of progressing her to the point where she would not need a warm up track?

Marnie

614.330.4071

Hi Marnie...When I teach a dog to track...I teach it so that there is enough reward on the track to give the dog a good idea of what I want him to do...and as each track progresses I'm already figuring out a way to make the next track better...better for my dog...and the way they're thinking and reacting...I think it's a very good idea for beginners in dog training...whether it's obedience...tracking...or protection...to keep a log book on each and every time I work my dog and exactly what I did and what it is that I'd like to accomplish next...I also log in things like what the weather was like...windy...dry...am I tracking in dirt (soft dirt/hard/or sandy)...is the ground damp...dry...etc...the temp. outside...and so on...I vew this log before I go out and lay my next track...then I lay it accordingly...I still have my very first log books from years ago...As far as corners go...I lay my corners with dug in foot steps...and a few pieces of food in each and every foot step...I used to wait until the dog was very very confident in a straight track...but now as long as the dog understands to look in every foot step for food...and eats most of them...then I move onto turns...If my dog will do say 100 pace straight track...then when I introduce turns...I lay about a 25 pace straight track with 1 turn...and then a pile of food at the end....and that's it...tracking is done for the day...

Your welcome to call me or write me if you'd like...

~Bob~

e-mail addr: BleuHaus@tc3net.com

Home: 517-448-8030

Cel:      517-270-5010

We are on our way out the door for a tracking seminar with Jim Lempner, I wll be happy to post some of the highlighted notes this evening for anyone who wants to read them!

Have a great day.  Kari