Would tracking be a good fit?

GSDSunshine · 06-08-2010, 03:29 PM

I'm not sure what it falls under, but Dakota Loves to use his nose. So we have progressed from me running and hiding (now way to easy, to doing everything we can think of inside.

We have done:
- Hide and Seek. One person hides the other person then releases the dog. Also with one person hiding while dog waits and then releases on an "EEEEPPP"
-Find. We have hide numerous toys and food and then returned and released him to find said toys or food.
-Search. One person takes dog into Garage. Other person hides object already known to dog and "handler" (person #1). The team them goes through house with the human directing the sniffer.

He has been able to find about 6-7 different toys and hot dogs and cheese as well as humans. We have hid multiple tennis balls and he is able to search out the correct one to find, ignoring the others and other toys.

I would love to build on this and do something with this but the only thing i keep thinking of is a bomb or drug detection dog. I'm not sure if he would be suited for something like that or SAR, or just dimple tracking. When I see him work like that, its like a light in his head is turned on and he goes from silly boy to serious sniffer.

I wouldn't be able to start anything serious currently, but in a year when i graduate (finally), I will be able to commit more time to something like that. So for those of you that do tracking or SAR or any other scent work, how do you know if that is what you should do? And how can I work on his skills this year to improve them and learn more for both of us?

Anja1Blue · 06-09-2010, 07:43 AM

I suppose the only way to find out for sure is to have him evaluated. I'm pretty sure that bomb/drug detection work is only open to police or the military. SAR work on the other hand can be done by anyone if they have the right dog and can pass the (very difficult) exams. Be warned however, this type of work, though incredibly rewarding, can eat up your life! There is much more to it than a dog just having a good nose - he has to have it together mentally as well.

My advice would be to find a group in your area which does AKC or Schutzhund tracking. (Though the latter will require that you join a club, and SchH participants are expected to also do OB and protection work.)See if you can get him involved. AKC tracking is less precise than the German style but has more variety - you can do VST (Variable Surface Tracking) for example, which, as the name implies, will train the dog to follow a scent trail over a lot more than just grass. I recently went to a TDX (Tracking Dog Excellent) trial which was held at Chatfield State Park. Dogs had to negotiate a LONG track which had been laid 3 hours previously, and which wound its way over and around thick native type grass, shrubs, stones and dirt. Who knows what wild animals had been tramping around in the same area to add to the mix, and there were two cross trails to confuse the dog. You don't start at this level obviously, these dogs had been at it for some time, and only one out of six actually passed - it's that hard. But if your dog (and you) are motivated, get out and give it a shot!
__________________________________________
Susan

Anja SchH3 GSD
Conor GSD
Blue BH WH T1 GSD - waiting at the Bridge

**DFrost** · 06-09-2010, 11:43 AM

Tracking, if nothing else can be good exercise for both the handler and the dog. I've always said tracking is the most fun you can have with your britches on.

DFrost

Anja1Blue · 06-10-2010, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFrost

Tracking, if nothing else can be good exercise for both the handler and the dog. I've always said tracking is the most fun you can have with your britches on.

DFrost

Roger that!

________________________________
Susan

Anja SchH3 GSD
Conor GSD
Blue BH WH T1 GSD - waiting at the Bridge

06-08-2010, 03:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
GSDSunshine Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Tallahassee, Fl Posts: 1,601	Would tracking be a good fit? I'm not sure what it falls under, but Dakota Loves to use his nose. So we have progressed from me running and hiding (now way to easy, to doing everything we can think of inside. We have done: - Hide and Seek. One person hides the other person then releases the dog. Also with one person hiding while dog waits and then releases on an "EEEEPPP" -Find. We have hide numerous toys and food and then returned and released him to find said toys or food. -Search. One person takes dog into Garage. Other person hides object already known to dog and "handler" (person #1). The team them goes through house with the human directing the sniffer. He has been able to find about 6-7 different toys and hot dogs and cheese as well as humans. We have hid multiple tennis balls and he is able to search out the correct one to find, ignoring the others and other toys. I would love to build on this and do something with this but the only thing i keep thinking of is a bomb or drug detection dog. I'm not sure if he would be suited for something like that or SAR, or just dimple tracking. When I see him work like that, its like a light in his head is turned on and he goes from silly boy to serious sniffer. I wouldn't be able to start anything serious currently, but in a year when i graduate (finally), I will be able to commit more time to something like that. So for those of you that do tracking or SAR or any other scent work, how do you know if that is what you should do? And how can I work on his skills this year to improve them and learn more for both of us? __________________ -Kira Fur Family: Dakota "Koda" GSD 02/20/2008 Chloe Calico 9/21/2007 "The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too"

06-09-2010, 11:43 AM	#3 (permalink)
DFrost Moderator Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Tn Posts: 779	Tracking, if nothing else can be good exercise for both the handler and the dog. I've always said tracking is the most fun you can have with your britches on. DFrost __________________ Any behavior that is reinforced is more likely to occur again. DFrost

06-09-2010, 07:43 AM	#2 (permalink)
Anja1Blue Knighted Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Denver Colorado USA Posts: 3,472	I suppose the only way to find out for sure is to have him evaluated. I'm pretty sure that bomb/drug detection work is only open to police or the military. SAR work on the other hand can be done by anyone if they have the right dog and can pass the (very difficult) exams. Be warned however, this type of work, though incredibly rewarding, can eat up your life! There is much more to it than a dog just having a good nose - he has to have it together mentally as well. My advice would be to find a group in your area which does AKC or Schutzhund tracking. (Though the latter will require that you join a club, and SchH participants are expected to also do OB and protection work.)See if you can get him involved. AKC tracking is less precise than the German style but has more variety - you can do VST (Variable Surface Tracking) for example, which, as the name implies, will train the dog to follow a scent trail over a lot more than just grass. I recently went to a TDX (Tracking Dog Excellent) trial which was held at Chatfield State Park. Dogs had to negotiate a LONG track which had been laid 3 hours previously, and which wound its way over and around thick native type grass, shrubs, stones and dirt. Who knows what wild animals had been tramping around in the same area to add to the mix, and there were two cross trails to confuse the dog. You don't start at this level obviously, these dogs had been at it for some time, and only one out of six actually passed - it's that hard. But if your dog (and you) are motivated, get out and give it a shot! __________________________________________ Susan Anja SchH3 GSD Conor GSD Blue BH WH T1 GSD - waiting at the Bridge

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