Tracking SchH or other?

[firefightrsflame]

Tracking and Obedience so far interest me in the little I've read. What are the main differences between AKC and SchH Obedience and/or tracking? I want to read up more but don't want to get the two mixed up since I am still trying to decide what I'd like to do with my future GSD. Thanks!

[Elaine]

I can really only talk about the obedience part. The main difference between the two is in the handling. AKC you can use the dog's name, hand signals, and about turns are to the right. SchH you don't use the dog's name, no hand signals, and about turns are to the left.

The exercises themselves are pretty much the same except in SchH the dumbbell is bigger and heavier and the high jump is higher. The BH in SchH is approximately the same as an AKC CD except it has a moving sit/stay, and a moving down/recall. The CD has a stand for exam. The SchH 1 is approximately the same as an AKC CDX except the Sch1 has the heavier dumbbell and higher jump, plus a send away. The CDX has the broad jump and a drop on recall.

There is no reason you can't do both if you want and have the time. You just need to find the handling that is acceptable in both and stick with it. I had the hardest time learning not to use my dog's name and I still want to use hand signals.

[Catu]

Originally Posted By: Elaineand about turns are to the left.

You can choose to do the about turns to the left or to the right around the handler.

[lhczth]

I think Elaine meant that the handler turns to the left.

Another big difference between the two in the OB portion is that AKC is judged on the accuracy of the exercises where attitude, speed and joy in the work also matter a whole lot in SchH.

I haven't done AKC tracking in 16 years so maybe it has changed. AKC is pass/fail. Dog must follow a track and then indicate (pick up or point out) the article at the end. They must continue to work and not venture off the track more than a line's length. How the dog accomplishes this is not judged or scored. For the most part the TD is fairly simple for most good tracking dogs. The TDX is comparable to the FH1. Tough tracks.

SchH tracking is scored. For a 100 pt track the dogs are expected to follow footstep to footstep with a deep nose in each step. They must not cast, circle, change speed, air scent, etc. The articles must be indicated straight (most dogs down), corners look like the dog is on rails. In reality it is less practical than real tracking and more like obedience. Depending on the judge the SchH1 is usually more loosely judged than a 3. The most advanced tracks are the FH2.

[Kayos and Havoc]

Good and fair comparison of tracking Lisa. I have never SchH tracked but have read about it and seen it. It is very accurate, methodical and deep nosed. It is also competitive due to being scored.

AKC tracking is looser and some say more real life although I not sure any sport tracking is really true to life. It is not scored so there is no reason to make it so exacting as SchH tracking. Casting and quartering are acceptable and there is no defined method to indicate the article. Most judges do like to see a sit or down as it is most definite and easier for them to see as well.

I AKC track but do not accept much quartering from my dog, I prefer they work like their nose is on a rail. I will accept some air scenting and casting at turns but I work to keep it minimal. I teach a sit or down for article indication.

SchH3 trackers can easily pass an AKC TD tracking test. AKC trackers unless they train for more exacting tracks may pass a SchH track but with lower scores.

I have been accused of SchH tracking my female, Kayos, as she has a pretty deep nose and is very methodical - but I have not done that.

[Sarah'sSita]

Another difference with OB is that SchH is almost done exclusively outdoors on a large field. Small thing really. I have known some AKC folk who won't do an outdoor show because most classes and training are indoors. Oh yeah, 4 gunshots for sch1-3
Observances on tracking: SchH tracking is an assessment of the dog's temperament, work ethic and obedience more so than it is about actually scentwork/tracking. You are asking the dog to follow primary scent exclusively in a specific manner. AKC track allows the dog to check out the secondary scent. AKC allows for greater latitude to accommodate different breed characteristcs and tendencies. Dogs that are bigtime airscenters won't do well in either venue as they may blow all the corners at an AKC event. That said, the foundation for schH tracking appears to me to be a stronger foundation. It would have been much easier for my dog to have learned SchH tracking first before AKC. It is hard to do AKC first then SchH. I have worked very hard on Nandi's tracking, but he will still circle slightly and airscent at times.
The schH1 track is very easy when you think about it from a tracking perpective, but adding in the components the judges are looking for and the task is more challenging.

[firefightrsflame]

Thank you all so much for the info. I want to read more about tracking. Does anyone suggest any good books or internet reading?

[Sarah'sSita]

Glen Johnson Tracking Dog (ESPECIALLY STUFF ON HOW SCENT BEHAVES)
AKC
Tracking from the Ground Up
http://www.tcow.net
yahoo! Groups Tracking dog group
ScH
schutzhundtracking.com
Joanne Plumb tracking vides
Gary Patterson's book (look on Dogwise.com)

Recommend a local club whether SchH or AKC. Tracking can be done alone, but it is important to have someone watch you and teach you how to read your dog. Good Luck

[firefightrsflame]

oh yey reading!! THANKS Sarah! =)

[SeriousConfusion]

I've been told it's much easier to transition from SchH tracking to AKC tracking but very difficult the other way around. If you want to do both, make sure to train your dog the SchH way.