Tracking Sch 1 - Page 1

Ok, I need help.
I might try to do our Sch 1.
I have the diagram for the track. 120 paces turn 1st article, that leg is 120 paces, turn last leg is 120 paces also.
It is saying the last article is at the end of the track. Is that correct?

Does it also matter if  according the diagram, it shows it like this: Start 120 Turn Left, then turn Left again.
Can the track be 120 from start turn right? then another right turn instead of left.
I was taught to do all right turns. But, the diagram I found shows all left turns.
Does that make sense what I said ?.
I don't want to lay it wrong.
I don't want to mess up since this is my first sch 1.
thanks, for any help given:) :).

 I THINK 3 PEOPLE REPLIED TO MY QUESTIONS.
BUT, IT IS NOT SHOWING ANYTHING, I SHALL CHECK BACK TOMORROW.
SORRY, DON'T KNOW WHY. MAYBE I WILL LOG OFF AND SEE IF I SEE THEM.   UGGGG.....
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Normally the judge tells you how to lay the track, he can tell you 2 right turns, 2 left turns, first a right and then a left or the other way around, you have to practice right and left turns.
Bea

The Schh1 track is 3 legs - can go left-left; right-right; or even left-right or right-left depending on terrain and tracklaying plans for the field.  Basically it's 2 corners, 2 articles, laid by the handler and aged 20 minutes.  First article can be in the first or second leg - sometimes the judge decides and sometimes he asks the handler what he prefers - the second article is at the end.

molly

Bump ...

Thanks !!

I see now that it could be very well up to the judge and the tracking area would also be into consideration.
I was nervous when I seen a  left turn  track.
So, I hope this does not mess the dog up.
I have never made any left hand turns.    ugggg.....

I shall start practicing this, this week, the dog should be fine, but I better mix it up.

Are the paces the 120 each leg  also like the diagram??
thanks!

Matthews3662,
I wouldn't worry about "counting" paces so much.  Anytime I've trialed for a 1 the judge has said here's how I want this track: Start here and go out to this point, a tree for example, or some landmark and turn right or left (whichever the judge wants), then go to this landmark and turn right or left and end the track near this location.  The judge will look at the tracking field and the number of dogs entered and figure out the best layout for each track.  I've seen some short SchH1 tracks and some longer ones.

For me 100 yds is about 120 paces, I actually paced it off on a football field one time just to see.  But everyone's stride is different, I know I used to have too much time on my hands. ;) 

I would say that it is very very important that your dog can do both left and right turns.  I trained at a club for a while where the TD only laid tracks with right turns.  The members of that club only wanted to title their dogs, no aspirations for Regionals or Nationals.  The club members only competed on their club field no where else, and their dogs could only do tracks with right turns, it was amazing to me.  I never tracked my dogs there, I did enter a couple of trials there until I saw how my SchH 3 were track was laid.  My dogs can track, I really don't need anyone laying me an especially "easy" track during a trial.  I prefer to trial by the rules, and if extra help is needed I won't enter.  I my opinion the track was embarrassing and I haven't trialed or trained there since.   

There came a time where a judge said they wanted the tracks a certain way which included left turns and the dogs from this club were literally lost, the habit of right turns was built into the dogs.  So left turns can mess a dog up if it has never seen them.  I rarely train the SchH tracking "pattern"  my tracks in training include both left and right turns and serpentines.  My puppies learn to cross various terrains including dirt and asphalt roads.  Some days I pick nice green grass some days the crappiest dirt, rock kinda grassy areas I can find.   I want my dogs to experience tracking problems before the trial and be able to calmly trouble shoot or problem solve on their own. 

Good luck with your dog,

Jim

thanks for the help slamdunc :)

I think I am going to go out tomorrow morning and lay some left handers.
I don't know why but I have rarely made left hand turns the more i think of it.
That could be bad for dog, not sure.

I think she does really good, and nails the articles even though they are not that many points.

I did think of laying a track of 120 paces to see how big actually it is  :)  Was curious about it after posting this
question.

I have laid some pretty crooked tracks, people always tease me how bad they are. She seems to know how to track
my crazy legs. ha.
I am glad you told me sometimes the judge says it is okay to go by landmarks. I think he will tease me however,
how crooked they look. Hope he doesn't scold me too much. I shall find out! LOL

Matthews3662,
Do you know how to lay a straight track?  I know it sounds silly, but I always laid crooked tracks at first.  You can try this method to go straight.  It is kind of like the sights on a gun.  From where you start, pick an object off in the distance like a tree, fence post, pole what ever, then pick and object directly between you and the tree in the distance,  This can be a tall weed, something laying on the ground, etc.  Now as yo begin to walk to keep both items in line and you will go straight.  Two points of reference in relation to each other will keep you straight. 


X---------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------! 

X is your starting point, the + is a tall weed and the ! is some object in the distance like a tree a or pole.  Your turn will be somewhere before or after the +, but not as far as the ! (object in distance). 
When you make your turn, line up 2 more objects and start walking a straight line between them.  This will also give you landmarks so you can find the track and the turns in case the dog loses it. 

Don't worry the judge will tell you how to lay the track, or you can simply ask him if he doesn't.  The articles are a lot of points, you don't want to lose points there. 

Hope this helps,

Jim

ok, :)
I can sometimes lay a track really good.
In an audiance, no. My nerves get the best of me.

I feel my dog could track better if I could get them straighter!!    So, with that in mind, if my dog can follow my
tracks she is a heck of a tracker.LOL

I will try that.
I have tried that before (finding a landmark).  But, it seems depending on the weather, the summer people, and the parks which place
I can go.  then at the club, there is a funny rectangle place to track.
But a place that is big enough without interference
is something not found every time I go out.

It gets  rather frustrating but at the same time it is good to go to different places and terrain to lay a track. That way the
dog is not use to one spot, and will not freak out  at a new spot.
I travel 2 1/2 hrs to club so I track here around places during the week.

I do have some back problems so that could be why I lay bad tracks and also I am focused on the track at times too
much. People watching do make me nervous I hate to say.

Also another Important thing is about the track laying.
It sounds as if they are picky on how the track by us is stepped out. I tend to stomp some I am trying to not
plot my feet. How exactly picky are they????????????

I see some people while practicing really making the footprint even down to the dirt.

Lastly, how many points are the articles??  I shouldn't have to worry about her not getting them she is great on them.

I wanted to order the rule book, but me being tight, I don't want to spend xx amount for it. They charge alot for it.
thanks again everyone.

For schH 1 & 2,  the first article is laid in the 2nd leg now.