article introduction in tracking? - Page 3

How do you get the dog to platz with the article between the front paws? Also is their a "preferred article'used by most 1 I noticed it was said that when one starts training the articles there should be no further traing of any thing that training period! Is that to say that later that day or several hours after one could not train another part of schtz?

Raymond,

I don't think there is any reason not to train other aspects of SchH while also training articles.  The thing most people are saying is don't introduce articles to the actual track until the dog is comfortable doing the article indication 'off the track'.

Just to break it down a little because it seems so simple, yet you have to realize it's more complex than it looks.  When tracking you are asking your dog for extreme concentration in using his nose to follow a laid trail.  When you introduce articles, you are asking your dog to break his concentration, flip to an obedient response and platz all on his own.  You are asking him to hold that platz as you come up and then restart back into concentration mode in the track once again.

All of this you are asking from a distance of 30 feet so the dog is working on his own and making this 'indication' on his own. 

Because of this introducing articles on the track can also trigger avoidance issues if you rush the process.  Your dog (and I mean the general you, not you personally) can become hesitant on the track in anticipation of having to 'platz' at the article.  They can actively avoid the article because they're uncertain about what it means and what they're supposed to do or worse, they can 'shut down' completely out of uncertainty.

So this is one of the key reasons why you want to keep the article training very seperate from actual tracking until you feel your dog is comfortable with the idea "Oh I come upon this smell, I platz" and then you put the two together.

Raymond, I have a different way that is absolutely off the track. I don't like the short line/track with a bunch of articles in a row. I also wouldn't build a table. I don't train that many puppies the articles to go through that much trouble and I'm not going to store it for 5 yrs for a half hours worth of use. If you want to hear it, send me a self-addressed/stamped envelope and $10. For $15, I'll send you both the articles and Send-Out instructions. I'll give you a 90 day moneyback guarantee. If you even order within the next week, I'll throw in three absolutely free articles.

I understand that  articles are not to be introduced on to the track untill the dog is comfortable and confident   indicating on the articles ! Teaching the articles will be done as a completely seperate  session far removed from tracking! Exampe article training will be a single session seperate from all others! Maybe an hour later we could practice obedience ! then  later in the day another article session!Short sessions  mixed between sessions of obedience and play?   I know all to well how a dog can "shut down when  confused" we are achieving some sucess with her shutting down  in bite work! the articles will not be introduced to the track untill she is completely confident in indicating  and stopping and starting!  One thing I got pounded in my brain is this! If you do not lay the PROPER GROUND WORK ON ANY TRAING ASPECT it will take ten times longer to teach it correct!

I've personally never had  a problem with what you're talking about Raymond.

IE:  Articles, a break, regular OB, a break, another round of articles, etc, etc.

Raymond, you stated you won't introduce it to the track until confident stopping, indicating, and starting. Sounds like a track to me. That's why I don't like the short straight lines with 10 articles in a row to teach the articles. It's just a short track.

don  I did not look at it that way! So IYO several articles  used to begin teaching articles is in and of itself a short trak?so If the dog becomes confused thinking this is a track we have already set ourselves back?

When I first started articles I was also working retrieves.  One day, my dog retrieved an article and platz'd on a dumbbell, lol.  I just laughed because both times he was fast and accurate and looked so pleased with himself, he just got it mixed up.  On that day, I did train back to back and the dog hadn't really switched gears.

I just don't like where people walk(laying scent) in a straight line dropping the articles along the way. To me that is technically not teaching off the track. Bob's method teaches them ith a different picture, but I have no need to build and store/burn a contraption for something so simple. Not a big fan of teaching on concrete either. I don't like the high visibility and the chance of a dog learning to rely on eyes.

Don:

              The table can be used for lots of different things obedience,tracking I on occasion even put the older dogs back on for obedience and it,s a good place to practice Yoga positions on!!! HAHHAHA