tracking troubles - Page 1

Sam,
What type of tracking are you doing?  Are you doing SchH style footstep tracking? 
Have you started him off by using scent boxes or circles?  When I begin to actually lay tracks for puppies I walk with both feet in a row, I don't off set the steps.  The initial tracks are one foot in front of the other and serpentine, I don't start with straight lines. 

I would suggest experimenting with the placement of the bait, it may need to be further apart or closer together to get the right "pace" for the dog.  I would also experiment with the stride / length of your footsteps.  

I design my tracks to teach the dog how to work the track.  I use serpentines a lot especially in the beginning.  They are like "speed traps"  and will cause the dog to slow down. 

As the dog progresses, I also vary the baited steps.  I'm not sure what you mean that "he will go back over the ones he missed."  I wouldn't let him go backwards on the track.

It is natural for the dog to skip some food as it gets more interested in the track.  It is not a problem if the dog misses some of the food, if it is driven to work the track.

JMO,

Jim

I agree with jim.  If he is driven and keeps his nose down, I wouldn't lose sleep over it. I agree that serpentine tracks are a good way to slow him down.  And i also agree that i wouldn't let him redo the track in reverse.

How long has he been tracking?  How long are the tracks?  Are you doing one single track and you are done? 

The reason I ask, is if he is still in drive and wants to continue(backwards),  you either need to lengthen the track or do more tracks, depending on what stage the dog is in tracking.

I wouldn't worry too much about steering the dog.  I say this because you never said he goes off the track, but stays on the left foot.  Perhaps the steps are too close at this point.  maybe if you make a longer step the dog will need to work and search for the next step which will be the right foot.  Perhaps the track is too remedial for the dog's level.  Instead of it being....L.R.L.R.L.R, you need to space it out more L...R...L...R...L...R.   Make him work. He sounds like he has the drive.  That's what is nice with a serpentine.  they have to slow down to work the track.

thanks for the advice.  We've been tracking for a few weeks.  I have been reading about it on the internet and watching Youtube and getting some tips from my sister who is taking a class, also a beginner.  I put down about 3 lines and have just added a turn, which he does no prob.  I will try your suggestions. 

Sam,
Few people that I know actually start with straight lines.  Have you tried "scent boxes" or even better "scent circles".  That is the best way to start a puppy, IMO.  From the scent circle you add a curved tail coming out the circle to the next scent circle.  I would suggest doing some research on this method of tracking training.  You then progress to serpentines before going to straight lines.  This lays an excellent foundation and builds a calm, methodical tracking dog. 

If you are using straight lines and a toy or large food reward at the end you will soon have a dog that races down the track looking for the end.

Joanne Plumb has an excellent set of videos on tracking that you may want to consider.

Tracking is fun, good luck with it.

Jim