Tracking off lead?

hunterisgreat · 02-11-2013, 02:01 PM

I've been largely tracking off lead lately... it has its good points... I CANNOT give queues with the leash for instance, and the dog is more free to think it through and focus on the task at hand. The bad part, I can't stop the forward advance when I know we are off the trail. What are your thoughts? I don't know anyone who does track offlead, and in general I've been discouraged from doing so

robk · 02-11-2013, 02:12 PM

How about just drop the lead and let him free track but be there to check him if he goes off track.

**jocoyn** · 02-11-2013, 02:29 PM

We used to run our trailing dogs offlead but put them back on for better communication between handler and dog.

But then trailing dogs are expected to cast when they loose the trail or within reason on a turn (AKC tracking allows casting as well) I can't speak to schutzhund.

hunterisgreat · 02-11-2013, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robk

How about just drop the lead and let him free track but be there to check him if he goes off track.

thats basically what I do now, or if its only minor challenges they are facing I just go fully offlead

**lhczth** · 02-11-2013, 03:57 PM

I like to maintain the contact with my dog, but I will, on occasion, allow them to free track to a ball or other jackpot at the end of a very long track. I think it can keep them fresh.

pfitzpa1 · 02-13-2013, 02:35 PM

It's something I have been considering lately. One problem I have is, if the dog is off leash, she will pick up the article and bring it to me, whereas she will platz on leash. I like the retrieval behavior and don't want to do anything that would confuse her dumbbell work. Leaving the leash dangling sounds like a good idea as long as it doesn't get messy at the corners. I might try that.

G-burg · 02-13-2013, 03:08 PM

Here's my retired male... I let him free track after I've run my young males tracks.. It's interesting to see how much food the previous dog left.. He had some issues at the end right before the article.. which is were I stepped off..

You can also see if there wasn't food he would probably just cruise down the track.. I personally like having the line attached, especially on my competition dogs.. I think you need more discipline/pressure when the line comes off..

Bismark v. Wildhaus ~ Free Tracking ~ Aug 26, 2012 - YouTube

G-burg · 02-13-2013, 03:21 PM

There was a competitor that trialed with his dog off lead.. I believe it was Wallace Payne??

justde · 02-14-2013, 08:39 AM

I've seen Steve Miller track off leash as well, including an FH with a V score. I'd say an ecollar was used in the advanced training in lieu of the line.
Sue

Lilie · 02-14-2013, 09:00 AM

Although I'm involved with a totally different avenue within tracking, I thought I'd just offer this suggestion.

Bloodtracking - Rescue Canine

We utilize this type of lead. You can feed the dog all the line you need (especially if you have a handler sensitive dog) yet still have control if you need a correction. It is light, and due to the material, it rarely gets hung up or snagged on brush.

I personally have the 50' lead and a handler sensitive dog. I was amazed at the difference the lead makes.

May not be of any help at all, but thought I'd throw that out at you.

02-11-2013, 02:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
hunterisgreat Knighted Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 2,383	Tracking off lead? I've been largely tracking off lead lately... it has its good points... I CANNOT give queues with the leash for instance, and the dog is more free to think it through and focus on the task at hand. The bad part, I can't stop the forward advance when I know we are off the trail. What are your thoughts? I don't know anyone who does track offlead, and in general I've been discouraged from doing so __________________ Hunter, USA trial helper, Charleston Working Dog Club Training Helper Beschützer des Jägers v. Sportwaffen, HOT, IPO1, AD, CGC Katya v. Hügelblick, HOT, IPO2, CGC SG Aska v. Ketscher Wald, 2 x SchH3, Kkl 1

02-11-2013, 02:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
jocoyn Zombie Queen Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: South Carolina Posts: 11,842	We used to run our trailing dogs offlead but put them back on for better communication between handler and dog. But then trailing dogs are expected to cast when they loose the trail or within reason on a turn (AKC tracking allows casting as well) I can't speak to schutzhund. __________________ Nancy www.scsarda.org Beau -NAPWDA Certified Cadaver Dog Waiting at the Bridge (italics=GSDs) (hemangiosarcoma=blue):Grim , Cyra, Toby, Rainbow, Linus, Oscar, Arlo & Waggles

02-11-2013, 03:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
lhczth Administrator & LOTR Addict Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 13,724	I like to maintain the contact with my dog, but I will, on occasion, allow them to free track to a ball or other jackpot at the end of a very long track. I think it can keep them fresh. __________________ Lisa Clark Zu Treuen Händen Working German Shepherd Dogs *South Michigan SchH and Police Club*

02-13-2013, 03:21 PM	#8 (permalink)
G-burg Crowned Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Maryland Posts: 5,873	There was a competitor that trialed with his dog off lead.. I believe it was Wallace Payne?? __________________ Leesa~ Chaos v. Wildhaus, SchH2, OB3 (HOT) ~ Bismark v. Wildhaus, SchH1, TR1 (HOT) ~ Kougar v. Wolfstraum~ pup in training...

02-14-2013, 08:39 AM	#9 (permalink)
justde Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Phillips, Wisconsin Posts: 307	I've seen Steve Miller track off leash as well, including an FH with a V score. I'd say an ecollar was used in the advanced training in lieu of the line. Sue __________________ http://vonjustdekennel.webs.com/index.htm

02-11-2013, 02:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
robk Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Fayetteville, NC Posts: 1,527	How about just drop the lead and let him free track but be there to check him if he goes off track.

02-13-2013, 02:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
pfitzpa1 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 454	It's something I have been considering lately. One problem I have is, if the dog is off leash, she will pick up the article and bring it to me, whereas she will platz on leash. I like the retrieval behavior and don't want to do anything that would confuse her dumbbell work. Leaving the leash dangling sounds like a good idea as long as it doesn't get messy at the corners. I might try that.

02-14-2013, 09:00 AM	#10 (permalink)
Lilie Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: South Texas Posts: 8,953	Although I'm involved with a totally different avenue within tracking, I thought I'd just offer this suggestion. Bloodtracking - Rescue Canine We utilize this type of lead. You can feed the dog all the line you need (especially if you have a handler sensitive dog) yet still have control if you need a correction. It is light, and due to the material, it rarely gets hung up or snagged on brush. I personally have the 50' lead and a handler sensitive dog. I was amazed at the difference the lead makes. May not be of any help at all, but thought I'd throw that out at you. __________________ Hondo Von Dopplet L Bauernhof "Hondo"- GSD Lilie's Tug McGraw "Tug" - Golden Retriever Maggie - Mini Dachshund (Rescue) Lonestar - Texas Blue Lacy Funyon, Ashe, Soot - Barn Cats Scooter /1/2 Arabian, Shadow, Katie / APHA

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