Article training - Page 1

Can anyone post a link to a good online write-up or video teaching how to train articles...(downing on articles on track)

Or if anyone could explain how to start this in detail.....I have looked at schutzhundtracking.com

 There are a lot of different ways to do this. Email me off line and I can give you my method.

schwarzenberggsd@earthlink.net

Most people will tell ya to train this off the track and I agree.  It is a very easy exercise that can be fun for the dog.  If done through motivation, the dog will enjoy the exercise and look forward to it.  I have seen many people run short straight runs with the articals spaced out 15-20 paces or so.  I like to start the dog by taking out around 10 articals.  Sit the dog by your side or in the heel position.  Let him see what you are doing.  Take the articals and fling them out with a good spacing between them (10 ft.).  If the dog has any prey drive, he will already want to go out and get the articals.  At this point the dog should have a grasp of the "track"  command or you shouldn't be doing this yet.  After al;l articals are placed, give the dog the search/track command and when the dog finds the first artical immediately give the down command with praise.  Make sure he stays in the down and pick up the artical and show it to the invisible judge.  Immediately reward the dog with a treat.  Whatever motivates the dog, liver, kibble, etc.  After he is done with the reward you give the "track/search" command and do it over again.  By the last artical, the dog will have it down like a seasoned veteran.

It's actually very simple to teach.  After a few sessions and you are sure the dog has a grasp, add them to the track.  Make sure to pay attention to the dogs positioning and your position when you release the dog, etc. 

Ha - That's how I do it too!  Some people put food under the articles but I don't because I don't want my dog to touch or flip the articles, so I reward from my hand when first teaching the dog to down for articles (off the track).   I know you are familiar with Preston's schutzhund tracking site, but have you watched the videos where teaching articles to pups is illustrated?  It's a slightly different method, but still really good way of teaching articles to puppies and young dogs:

http://www.schutzhundtracking.com/Articles.html

I really like so much of what Armin Winkler has to say, especially  about "must" and how/ why bringing up and then capping drive after the article is important.   I also know he knows what he's talking about with getting past article flipping, I just don't think I'm a good enough dog trainer,  so I try to avoid it from the getgo. 

http://www.schutzhundvillage.com/nose2.html