Just a couple of questions.

[LHunter82FXRS]

Hello, I have a couple of questions that I have been wondering about for a little while. Now that it is cold out I leave Chico in the car while I am laying a track. Depending on where I am he sometimes can see me from the car either starting the track or finishing. I do try to park far enough away that it would be hard for him to see exactly where I am walking, but the parking lots themselves are not big. Is it possible that he is remembering where I was walking when we go to track or am I over thinking this? Oh, I do let the tracks age anywhere from 30-60 min (depends on how cold it is ) , we will go walking, practice obedience or I let him run somewhere far from the track.

Secondly, he knows when he gets to track. After the waiting time we go back to the car, and get out his tracking gear. He gets soooooooo excited that he actually will start to track before we get to the beginning. He tracks my scent from the car to the "real" start of the track. Should I let him do this, or should I only let him track on the real track? The only reason I have let him do this is because he gets so excited and happy when he knows he gets to track. I do hope to title him someday, and if this is something that is not acceptable I will stop him from doing it. Thank you

[BlackPuppy]

Even if he can see you lay the track, I'm sure he can't see exactly where it is. He'll have to use his nose for that.

I think all dogs start tracking from the car. LOL! Most people can barely grab the first article as the dog is rushing down the track.

I think the plan is that when the harness goes on, it's tracking time.

[elisabeth_00117]

Stark does this too.. as soon as he hops out of the car or we walk to the feild - nose down and he's tracking, even if we are far away from the track I have laid.

When I pull his harness out that I use for tracking he starts to whine and pace, he gets super excited and will actually start to jump on me (he NEVER jumps) to get to the harness.

I don't think it matters if he can see you from the car or if he starts to track right away. But I'm a novice, so hopefully some more experienced people can answer your questions. I'll be waiting to read.

[Northern GSDs]

Quote: I do hope to title him someday, and if this is something that is not acceptable I will stop him from doing it.

It's great that he has drive for the track. I'm not sure how far along in tracking/OB etc you are, but I thought it might be good to just mention that since you are looking to trial/title one day (SchH?) that the dog should be in control en route to the track (does not have to be actively doing attention heeling but should not be pulling your arm out and weaving around etc). Also, if you have to report in the judge prior to heading to the scent pad, that is something that is good to practice here and there later on and that's where the "dog being in control" really may come in to play. Of course all of this can be worked in as you progress and depending on the drive of the dog for the track (might want more control or allow a bit more desire during training depending on where you are at and what the dog is like). Just MHO.

I keep Jax's crate covered when I'm laying her tracks. Technically for a trial the dog should not have sight of the track from my understanding. I don't think it is a huge deal but I also think dogs are pretty smart about anticipating where we've gone (what direction etc) if they've seen were we've been

Have fun tracking!! I love tracking!

[LHunter82FXRS]

Originally Posted By: BlackPuppy.. Most people can barely grab the first article as the dog is rushing down the track.

That is so funny b/c yesterday the track was in an old horse pasture and the ground was very bumpy and uneven. I was wearing layers of clothes and a pair of old steel toe Red Wing work boots and Chico was moving so quick that my legs were <u>worn out</u> when we finally go to the end. *Whew* what an unplanned workout!

[LHunter82FXRS]

Originally Posted By: Nicole L
It's great that he has drive for the track. I'm not sure how far along in tracking/OB etc you are, but I thought it might be good to just mention that since you are looking to trial/title one day (SchH?) that the dog should be in control en route to the track (does not have to be actively doing attention heeling but should not be pulling your arm out and weaving around etc). Also, if you have to report in the judge prior to heading to the scent pad, that is something that is good to practice here and there later on and that's where the "dog being in control" really may come in to play. Of course all of this can be worked in as you progress and depending on the drive of the dog for the track (might want more control or allow a bit more desire during training depending on where you are at and what the dog is like). Just MHO.

I keep Jax's crate covered when I'm laying her tracks. Technically for a trial the dog should not have sight of the track from my understanding. I don't think it is a huge deal but I also think dogs are pretty smart about anticipating where we've gone (what direction etc) if they've seen were we've been

Have fun tracking!! I love tracking!

Actually I am training for AKC style tracking. But that is something to think about if I would have to meet a judge prior, I don't want Chico acting like a complete loon. Thanks for all the advice

[BlackPuppy]

Originally Posted By: LHunter82FXRSActually I am training for AKC style tracking. But that is something to think about if I would have to meet a judge prior, I don't want Chico acting like a complete loon. Thanks for all the advice

Oh, then in AKC tracking you see it all the time. Decorum is not a requirement unless it's what you want.