Anna's Tracking Diary

[aubie]

Okay, so we're back to tracking. I've been a slacker and haven't done much for months, but I ordered Enthusiastic Tracking and we're going through that. I just thought I'd share our experience as we're going this alone....the closest tracking club I can find is 3-4 hours away...and let people know our progress in case anyone is interested.

I'd like to try to get her TD title by summer of next year...we'll see how it goes!

Session 1: yesterday DH and I took Anna out to do lession 1.1 from the book. It really helped to have him there with me. At first he wasn't sure, but once he saw her working, he really got into it.

The first track didn't go well, we had the flags but she associated these with her Invisible fence training and didn't want to go near them, so we removed the flags. We'll have to find something else to use.

So we did four tracks total, 10, 15, 20 and we went ahead and did a 30 yd just for kicks at the end. She did great, never missed a beat. She only missed one drop on all four tracks. She still moves fast, but she uses her nose. I need to work on my handling, it just seems hard on the 6ft leash they suggest in the beginning, just cause she wants to go so fast. I also need to get a harness this week.

[Kayos and Havoc]

That is great!!

You really do not need flags unless you just cannot remember where you walked/ At the beginning when tracks are short and you have either food or articles you cna see where you went as the dog plays hop scotch from one to the other.

As it gets more involved you will want to have well marked tracks so you csan see when she gets off adn she will get off. You might try step in the ground plastic posts. You can get them at feedstores in the electrical fencing section. They are used to cattle fencing. I use them for weave poles too.

Being certified and titled by next summer is not out of the question for her if you keep on it.

Keep on the 6 foot leash, it will help you in the long run, trust me! She needs to earn line based on how well she commits to the track. When she is doing turns in both directions pretty reliably you can go to the long line. Start at 10 feet and let her earn the line as she gets more committed.

Your handling will come with experience. I like to hold the line at waist level and let it pull out from my left hand and feed to my right which is closre to the dog. I use the left hand kind of as a shock absorber.

Have fun.

[aubie]

We went out today...it's been raining the past few days so the grass was still wet. We did:

10 yard track (just to get going)
20 yds
30 yds
20 yds no food
20 yds w/ small 5 yd turn
50 yds grand finale!

It seemed like a lot, but she got in a groove and just kept going! We decided to throw the turn in to see how she did, which she followed. She's still fast, I'm going to get a harness tomorrow, with the collar I feel like I'm pulling her back and therefore her head off track.

She also to seems more interested in the track itself than the food. Don't get me wrong, she'll eat the food but once she starts sniffing the steps she kinda just goes. Here's some pics from today! Excuse my appearance, we'd be pressure washing all day!



My fave pic





Finding the article!

[LHunter82FXRS]

Great pics! Way to go Anna

[aubie]

I bought a harness today...nothing too fancy, but easy to put on and the d-ring is located on the back of the harness, not near the shoulders/neck.

We tried three real short sample tracks at the house (DH is at work so this way I can keep her inside while I lay the track). The first track, she wasn't too sure, but by the last two she was great! her speed was much slower and I think she knew (I took off the harness between track 2&3) the harness meant "go find". When I put it on for track three as soon as we stepped out she started sniffing and did her best track yet!

DH is off tomorrow night so I'm dying to get her out to the field to try out the new harness. Here it is, and of course, hers is also pink.

I have to say, seeing her in action, there really is nothing quite as beautiful as seeing these dogs work!

[Lauri & The Gang]

Something I used (back when I was tracking with Tazer my Cocker) to mark the track were flat rocks that I painted.

That way he couldn't really see anything to tip him off as to where the track was (he doesn't track footstep) and yet I knew how we were doing.

[elisabeth_00117]

Originally Posted By: Lauri & The GangSomething I used (back when I was tracking with Tazer my Cocker) to mark the track were flat rocks that I painted.

That way he couldn't really see anything to tip him off as to where the track was (he doesn't track footstep) and yet I knew how we were doing.

** Steals idea.. **

Hehe.. Thanks for this, we have been using flags and I think Stark is looking for the flags now..