SAR/ COMPETITION TRACKING??? - Page 1

My 5 month old pup is currently training for Schutzhund. Now that she's teething, we've started "tracking". This is the first time training a pup for me as my other dogs were older when they started training. When we started tracking the other day with our instructor, he scuffed about 30 feet, put a little Bil-Jac on the track and hid behind hay bales. I gave her the such command and she went to it and found him, got her food reward and all went well. My question is, does this sound more like SAR training or what? The other puppies that I've seen begin tracking with a scent pad and you lay your straight track @ 10 paces or so. I'm very interested in SAR, but not necessarily with my pup. Our trainer is certified as a PSA trainer and has primarily trained in detection of drugs, bombs etc.

SAR dogs are generally trained for air scent, not usually a difficult transition once they have ground scent down pat as they will tend to naturally test the air if they lose the ground track. For a good description you might want to pick up the book "Training the K-9 Hero," available at most SAR websites. IMO this is a must have book for all dog people, covering everything from dog First Aid to wilderness survival. Good lick with your pup!

It almost sounds like he was doing trailing rather than tracking. Tracking is foot step to foot step. Trailing is following scent which can drift anywhere from a few feet to several feet away from the actual Track. Scenting is more reffered to when allowing a dog to "air scent" by which they can locate an item, individual, not by tracking or trailing but by locating the scent on air current and following it back to the originator. Hope that all makes sense and I will say this is all how it has been explained to me, So hopefully it is correct and hopefully I have correctly conveyed it to you. None the less, hope all goes well and have fun sounds like you really enjoy tracking that's awesome !!

My point exactly EchoMeadows- I don't want to screw her up with trailing like SAR when I want her nose to the ground plowing through my footsteps. I love tracking, nothing better than being with your dog and seeing them do what they do and it is so peaceful and quiet. I really don't want to her foundation work screwed up. Transitioning later would be fine. How do y'all start tracking training with a pup for Sch.?

if you want to know about sch tracking you schould go to a sch club/trainer. your instructor may be a good trainer but sounds like he doesn't have a clue about sch tracking. to get high points in sch tracking the dog needs to be slow, intence, and indicate articles correctly not find someone.

Cole, In exactly the manner you described... Lay a pad with a few goodies in it, each footstep also gets a goodie and then the end gets another pad and several little goodies. first track, maybe 5 to 9 steps second track, maybe 12 and just keep working up from there. At least that's how our Training Directors do it.

Workingdawg, we are currently looking for a purely Sch minded, proven trainer. At this point it's almost like auditioning-too many boys talking the talk but clueless. We've been through 2 trainers in the last 6 months. Talked a good talk, didn't have a clue though.

thanks echomeadows-that's how I've always seen it done. Thats why I was questioning the way we did it the other day to see what some of you thought

There are many books and videos available on tracking puppies. Maybe those could help you in the meantime while looking for a good Schh club. Tracking with pups is fun and keeps them busy :) I'm assuming you've already checked the USA website for clubs?www.germanshepherddog.com

Cole- The preferred way to start young dogs is with serpentine tracks. This means no straight portions at all. Straight builds speed and speed kills. The most important tracks in the dogs career are now as you are doing foundation. Later when he is a big boy and hopefully competing and making you proud he will run into stressful situations on yhe track. HE WILL GO TO HIS FOUNDATION AT THAT TIME TO WORK THROUGH THE PROBLEM. At this time I would put food in most steps and just let hin track. I would carefully block the puppy from getting into too much trouble by holding the leesh if he gets more than 3' off the track. Let him find his way back. You will be amazed how quickly he will learn. I would try 60 paces with him now and move to 100 when he is doing the 60 near perfect. Enjoy him now as they are not puppies near long enough. --Bob