Tracking Question

[amjrchamberlain]

Another question.

As I mentioned, I've been reading several tracking books and I've even taken a class (though it was entirely seated and we didn't actually do tracking work). However, I'm afraid that if I start trying to track that I'm somehow going to screw up my dog. LOL So...is it safe to start on our own and correct problems as they come along? Or should I wait until the Spring Tracking Class (that will actually have tracking each week)? I have dog friends that are wanting to start also and are even more novice than I am. We could lay tracks for each other and I'm sure it would be great fun. I just don't want to start something that will cause any problems in our ability to AKC TD.

Thanks again!

[Kayos and Havoc]

Tracking is such a natural thing for a dog I think it is hard to screw them up unless you get upset with them on track and they no longer want to work, or you continually pull them off track when they are working or you get lost on track and cannot let the dog work it out thus upsetting thier confidence.

If you start tracking before classes start I would use a 6 foot leash on your harness and work next to or right behind the dog.

As much as I am not a proponent of food on the track, most folk do use it and it is the easiest way to step back and let the dog work from food drop to food drop and you don't have to worry you are causing him problems. I use article drops every 10 steps or so instead of food. I space the articles more as the dog catches on. I reward with food from my hand at each article.

Some say the food makes the track itself rewarding to the dog, some say (like me) they want to be the bearer of the reward and they want the articles to be a predictor of reward. Either way works and I won't defend or condemn either one or the other. I will say the dog has to indicate the articles and I have seen dogs taught to track with food and one article at the end have problems with articles unless the trainer worked pretty hard on indications. I have not had an article problem using articles in place of food.

I think my next dog will have a combo approach - some food and articles as there are benefits to both.

When I start my dogs I lay 100% of my own tracks until we are doing turns and I can read my dog. If you swap track laying with friends you need to use flags so you know EXACTLY where the track is.

Most dogs figure this game out pretty fast and it is a blast to see it.

Go tracking!!