Tracking and Wind

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by KellyJ on 22 February 2011 - 03:02

I know wind must have some effect on a dogs track. I was wondering how do you as a handler adjust to wind direction?

And also other factors such as snow and rain?

I am interested in Police/Sar tracking, if that makes a difference.

Thanks,
Kelly

by Avery Hill Kennels on 22 February 2011 - 03:02

Be down wind from track. Take a lighter hold it up see wich way wind is blowing, Wind will blow "sent" to dog .Read the dog you will know when they are in "sent"
Depends on the way dog was trained to track SAR ,LE are trained to ground sent and air sent .

by KellyJ on 22 February 2011 - 03:02

Thanks...

My dog usually switches from nose down to air scenting thorought the track.

When we get close to the person he will switch to full air scenting.

by EUROSHEPHERDS on 22 February 2011 - 05:02

The best way to explain scent movement is to think of it as fog . it acts almost like fog . on top of water or in the ditch or in the calm medow . Then you know what todo .

by melba on 22 February 2011 - 11:02

I would try my best to send the dog into the wind. Once the dog is a confident, experienced tracker he will be able to compenstate for the wind to a degree depending on wind speed. Skin rafts will settle farther from where the person actually walked. Keep this in mind when you are tracking. If they are good, they will be able to locate the person, though when they are tracking it will appear as if they are off track. Read your dog, you will know when he/she has lost the track and needs some help finding it.

Teaching scent cones off the track has been benificial to us. I have one that takes into consideration wind direction all on his own.

Melissa

by SportySchGuy on 22 February 2011 - 12:02

Make sure you take into account temperature and humidity as well.

by melba on 22 February 2011 - 13:02

Thank you SSG.... almost forgot :)

Melissa

by jamesfountain98 on 22 February 2011 - 13:02

Great information. When you are googling for information look up "Trailing" instead of "Tracking" most of us in SAR work are trailing. meaning the dogs are smelling the skin cells from the person. Schutzhund tracking the dog is smelling the ground disturbance. So wind direction plays a larger role in trailing more so then tracking and even a greater role in air scent.

by VKGSDs on 22 February 2011 - 16:02

My dog does longer tracks with mulitple corners so I can't really avoid wind, but I do take it into account. If the wind is blowing really hard, it will explain why my dog is tracking a foot off the track to one side. As long as his rhythm is correct, nose is deep, etc then I don't correct for it if the wind is to blame.

by KellyJ on 22 February 2011 - 16:02

Melba,

He does take short cuts during a track. I was first concerned he was getting off track but he always completes successfully and faster than he would if he follwed every step.

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