laying a track - Page 1

I'm trying to get my GSD ready for her TD but am having a big problem with the fireants getting to the bait before the dog. She still tries to eat it athough it's covered with ants in 5 minutes or less; I don't want her to do that. Anyway, any suggestions to replace the bait? I've used meat and fish juice which she tracks well, but that doesn't give her an immediate reward like eating a piece of cheese. This is a dog that will eat literally anything, she's not picky. Thanks....

Fireants??  YIKES!  Poor dog!

Sorry, the only advice I can give you is move NORTH! 

I believe someone did mention this problem before. See if a search turns up anything!

found a couple:

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/forum.read?mnr=420077-tracking-bait

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/forum.read?mnr=413939-ants-and-tracking

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/forum.read?mnr=172179-ideas-for-different-types-for-bait-to-use-for-tracking

There ya go!  :D

Redbarn logs cut up into little pieces, or if you have a petco around natural balance makes the logs too. I refrigerate them first before cutting tho, as they can get crumbly at room temp. I have noticed a lot fewer ants than with hot dogs and the like.
T

I'm with Theresa; I've been using Redbarn beef rolls and the ants don't seem interested in it.

You can try freezing your bait. I use the log dog food rolls and/or hot dogs in a pinch because they give the boys the squirts. I was advised to track
super early, also LOL

Melissa

Thanks! I'm going to try those Red Barn logs first. I wonder why the ants don't like them  .  Are they fireants or just normal ants?

Moving north, not an option LOL.

We just have normal ants I think. Maybe it's because the food is very dry/ not juicy at all? I don't know for sure. I used to use hot dogs all the time, but the ants here in MD love them, so I finally switched to the logs and it pretty much eliminated the problem.
T

Please be careful with the ants. My male snorted up ants his nose on the track as young dog and got so traumatized that he quit tracking altogether. Since then its a continuous struggle. Last time he quit 2 days before the trial. Needless to say, its been a challenge. Right now he is back pulling me down the track, but runs over any food, yet will indicate all articles. Its not pretty to look at, but right now I am just happy that he wants to finish the track.

I am too using the NB rolls. Seems the drier the food the less ants you have on it. For him I use little containers with a lid (the ones babyfood comes in work well). My girls dont care so much about ants; the youngster I even mostly track with kibble as she is so food crazy.

Thanks, Elkoor, that's been a concern for me, especially the way these fireants sting - they don't call them fireants for nothing. Their stings really, really hurt. I haven't tried the logs yet,  I do have some Fresh Pet that I'm going to try tomorrow. It comes in log form too and isn't really moist. I think I'll freeze it first. If all else fails, I'll go back to meat juice and no food reward til the end. Kibble woud probably work for her too,she's eats anything.