SDA tracking

[umzilla]

Here is the link to the rules:

http://www.servicedogsofamerica.com/Rules/tracking.html

There is also relevant information under "Trial Requirements" in the cascade menu under "Rules."

SDA tracking has been in the works for quite a while, but it has just become available as a titling event. At the present time, SDA tracking is offered by SDA only, and does not appear in UKC pedigrees as the obedience and protection titles do. The flip side of this is that ANY dog, regardless of papers, pedigree, breed, or registration may participate. If you want to track your dog - you can track with SDA. (Yes, even if your dog is a mix or has no papers for any other reason.)

SDA tracking is not SchH style tracking, altho there will be no penalty if the dog methodically works footstep to footstep. Tracking titles are Pass/Fail, based on the dog "doing the job" of finding the articles. As in other organizations, the judge may terminate the track if the dog has stopped working.

There is no prerequisite title or certification track required in order to enter the Tracking 1.

Line length is 15-40 ft. Handlers may choose to use a tracking harness, bottcher harness, or simply a fur saver on the dead ring. Lines can be under the leg or on top of the harness.

Tracks are measured in paces rather than yards.

At present there are 3 tracking titles. We wanted to structure the program so it would have first and formost, realistic application at the highest level, but that it would have wide appeal, be convenient to members, and practical for clubs.

Some thoughts to consider:

1. A tracking trial can be done with one judge.
2. Tracks do not need to be plotted the day before. This has several benefits -
- The judge and workers need only be present on trial day.
- The trial can easily be done on either Saturday or Sunday.
- As per SDA rules, a club may schedule 2 one day trials in the same weekend.......so if the club has access to plenty of land, they can schedule 2 trials back to back with the same judge. Better value for your dollar!
3. The T1 is based on a SchH1 track. This has many benefits.
- For those familiar with AKC tracking - this means that you don't need a certification track. When the judge sees your dog track, you have a chance to go home with a title.
- For those doing SchH tracking - If you want a chance to proof your dog prior to your SchH 1 in a trial setting, enter an SDA trial. If you pass, you go home with a title. You will not be awarded a numeric score based on SchH rules of course, but you WILL have the chance to see how you (yes, you) lay a track when you're nervous, how your dog reacts to the trial setting, etc etc.
- ALSO, by having the handler lay the T1 track, this allows clubs to hold first trials without the stress of locating alot of tracklayers. If you enter, you lay a track..........and if you are a *wise* handler, you will have learned how to lay tracks, getting ready for this (after all, if you lay a bad track, YOUR dog pays for it!)

We deliberately avoided getting too technical about what is a legal track and what is not. The concept behind the program is that your dog ultimately would be able to actually find someone, regardless of whether or not there is a big stick (or is it a log?) before 50 paces, or after 51 paces, etc etc. Judges are responsible for making sure tracklayers use common sense, and will give general direction on the laying of the tracks. The first level dictates moderate cover and no obstacles, the second has more challenges with cover and obstacles, and the third really concentrates on adding distance.

As far as clubs? You will have no red tape about setting one up....all the forms are on the SDA site, and if you follow them pretty closely, you will have a quick turnaround time on getting a tracking club up and running. We don't have a minimum distance required between clubs and tests, so no hassles there. Its very user friendly.

That's a general overview....

Christine

[Heather]

Quote: We deliberately avoided getting too technical about what is a legal track and what is not.

Speaking as a (CKC) tracking judge... basically, I like the sounds of the tests, but you have tied your judges' hands a bit with this part of the T2:

Quote: d. The track will consist of 4 legs and 3 corners. The first corner will be after a minimum of 300 paces.

I'm an average height female. My walking steps are about .65 yds. Multiply that by 300 and that means my first corner can't happen until about 195 yards... that's a LONG first leg of the track.

The total length of the track is to be about 1200 paces (780 yds), so I still have to put in another 900 paces (585 yds)... in 3 legs.

See the issue? Unless you have HUGE fields to work with, that's difficult to do for each and every T2 track. If you would allow one or two more corners, it would make more areas suitable for T2 tracks.

MT rules state:

Quote: The start of the track will be a designated area marked by 4 flags, approximately 50' x 50'...

... which will again severely limit the areas in which you can hold your tests.

You are allowing handlers to carry food and/or toys? Very unusual!

I would love to try the tests! )

[umzilla]

Here is where we "untie" their hands.......Quoted from the tracklaying guidelines:

Quote:1. All tracks shall be laid in terrain "as available" and as best conforms to the "ground cover" specifications for each tracking level. However, terrain must be such that the tracklayer, dog, handler, and judge may safely navigate the track. The length of the tracks may not be shortened, but with the judge's approval due to the nature of the tracking area, the length of an indiviual leg or shape of the track may be modified. Master Tracks may pass through public areas as long as the handler observes local leash laws."

The reward must be approved by the judge and "may not be disruptive to the flow of the track". Yes, we know it's unusual.

We'd love to have some tests and participants in Canada - in fact, we already have a judge in Canada, altho admittedly, it's a big country..........

Christine

[Heather]

(Putting on my CKC Tracking Rep's hat)... when you use words like "will", you pretty much tie the judge's hands:

Quote:The track will consist of 4 legs and 3 corners. The first corner will be after a minimum of 300 paces.

When participants know the rules (as they should), they get upset when they get a track that doesn't conform to the rules as written.

Quote:The length of the tracks may not be shortened, but with the judge's approval due to the nature of the tracking area, the length of an indiviual leg or shape of the track may be modified.

Reading this, I might (as a judge) feel justified in shortening the first leg by 5 or 10 paces (since paces are not a set distance), but I wouldn't dream of altering the number of legs or corners with the current wording.

Note that there is more leeway with the use of the word "should" as in this section:

Quote: Turns should approximate 90-degree turns, but may be slightly open or slightly acute, as dictated by the terrain.

Not trying to be argumentative... just trying to be helpful by offering another viewpoint.

[umzilla]

Originally Posted By: Heather
Not trying to be argumentative... just trying to be helpful by offering another viewpoint.

Oh, not to worry. Whenever there is a new venue that even remotely resembles anything that already is in place, we get alot of viewpoints - and actually appreciate them. We certainly have gone through that with our Protection titles (they get compared to SchH, Personal protection, Ring, etc) - and over time people have realized that it is a just a new venue. We didn't want to recreate any other protection venues, we wanted something new.

So, while I understand and appreciate your concerns, in OUR minds by allowing the "shape" of the track to be altered at the judge's discretion, this allows the number of legs and corners to be altered if dictated by the terrain or available space. And I also am not trying to be argumentative.......just explaining where some of this is coming from.

Christine

[Kayos and Havoc]

YES!!!! YES!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for that post!!!!

[Heather]

Who is your Canadian judge?

[umzilla]

A K9 trainer in Ontario, all his information is listed on the SDA website.

Christine