Hard surface tracking
 

Those of you experienced in tracking, when do you generally start laying hard surface tracks? And do you go right back to the beginning and start with single leg tracks again and build up, or is this not necessary? Also do you use anything other than your feet to lay tracks on hard surfaces - ie some sort of scent?

ask Sue Birch-Bark Hill: Kira's Scent Work in the Snow

when I do mine I just walk , whatever surface is there is there .

We use a modified version of the HITT method, for police dog type tracks/trails.

We start them on a scent pad to reinforce nose down behavior, and as soon as that is solid, we transition right to a hard surface track.

Pavement, concrete, hard pack, dirt, grass, then woods. (leaves, pine needles, forest floor material in our region) The theory is train them on "most difficult to least difficult", so the dog starts tracking on the most difficult surface it will ever encounter.

We also track in snow, of course, if in season.

We start the dogs on hard surface as soon as they exhibit good nose down behavior, and concentration for the task. Very dependent on the individual dog, but they usually progress quickly.

Thank you, I will definitely get in touch with Sue. I am learning so much from her brilliant blog :)

Thank you, that makes sense. I have already started him on field and stubble tracks, but will add in some hard surfaces and see how we get on.

When you first start pavement, since your dog can already track, perhaps just hydrating it to hold your scent, and a bit of food on the track, and he should pick it up straightaway. :)

Extinct the hydration and then the food after a session or two, and see how it goes.

Thank you for your help Tim. I will definitely try that. Wish us luck :)