Is this Exceptional?

[lhczth]

If you would like to do some fun scent work you can play games and just hide things around your house or yard. Use a different word than what you would use in tracking and keep it fun. Meanwhile research tracking and talk to some of your club members about getting tracking help.

[Blitzkrieg1]

Makes sense guys, seems like I started running before I learned to walk lol.
I really like the circle idea. Also, the comments about the ball were very interesting I will try removing it and encourage more focus on the scent itself instead of the finish.

[Liesje]

You want to find ways of rewarding the dog during the track and not just at the end. For most dogs that is food. My dog is very food motivated (he will do obedience and all sorts of fancy tricks for food) but for some reason skips food on the track so for him, I taught him article indication early on off the track and now use articles as rewards. He prefers to get a larger chunk of food from me rather than kibbles or small bits off the track, so if there is a challenge on the track (a really dry patch, a difficult corner, etc) I put an article afterward so he gets a chance for a reward and to regroup into the track. If there is a long, boring leg I will put one or two food piles (like a handful of treats) instead of one piece every few footsteps. Some dogs seem to track better when really hungry; for my dog it makes no difference. Part of the foundation will be learning what rewards are best for your dog and how to use them to train the dog to problem solve on the track, not just get to the end of the track.

[Questforfire]

Originally Posted by carmspack

I'm glad to see you so enthused about tracking.

Look at this blog Birch-Bark Hill written by the CKC tracking rep for n Ontario -- she can tell you which clubs are active in your area, inform you about trial dates. The blog itself offers a great deal of information on tracking .

I am absolutely loving Sue's blog. It holds a wealth of information on tracking, as well as having many fantastic photos of the beautiful dogs and Canadian countryside and wildlife.

Definitely worth a look.

[Questforfire]

Originally Posted by Liesje

You want to find ways of rewarding the dog during the track and not just at the end. For most dogs that is food. My dog is very food motivated (he will do obedience and all sorts of fancy tricks for food) but for some reason skips food on the track so for him, I taught him article indication early on off the track and now use articles as rewards. He prefers to get a larger chunk of food from me rather than kibbles or small bits off the track, so if there is a challenge on the track (a really dry patch, a difficult corner, etc) I put an article afterward so he gets a chance for a reward and to regroup into the track. If there is a long, boring leg I will put one or two food piles (like a handful of treats) instead of one piece every few footsteps. Some dogs seem to track better when really hungry; for my dog it makes no difference. Part of the foundation will be learning what rewards are best for your dog and how to use them to train the dog to problem solve on the track, not just get to the end of the track.

This is really useful information for me. Initially I was training my dogs with just their ball and/or sardines at the end of the track, but have now started to add in a couple of articles on the track, as one dog in particular just wants to rush to the end to get his ball. Is it ok to put articles such as gloves or socks on initially, so I can have a game of tug with them to reward him for indicating, before moving on?