Tracking in snow and other questions!

[BritneyP]

This may be a silly question, but I'd just like some input. I've been tracking with my boy since he was about 6 months old, and despite getting a bit of a late start, he has progressed far beyond any expectations I could have ever had. He has an incredible nose and absolutely ADORES tracking. I would really like to pursure AKC titles with him, however we haven't taught articles at all. He's always just tracked for a toy at the end of the track.

Thus far, his tracks have been up to 1/2 mile long and aged up to 30 minutes and consisted of 2-4 90 degree turns and a combination of grass, dirt and a small amount of pavement. He nails every single track every time. What is the best way to start introducing articles with him being the far along?

Also, he took a bit of a hiatus last winter and we didn't track much in the snow due to it being about 4' deep. We couldn't even do much tracking training with my husband's patrol dog because of it. Do you guys track right through the winter with snow under a certain depth?

KathyW especially, I'm hoping you can help me!

[BlackPuppy]

I use gardening gloves and socks for articles and I still put some hotdogs in them. That makes my dog lay down and wait for me to get the hot dogs out for her. I stopped using food on the track early in her training because she got too excited about all the food and wasn't concentrating. Now she knows that the articles are her reward. Now if I leave a glove laying around at the house, she go get it and show it to me.

I haven't done any tracking in snow, but I know people who do. Also, it's easier to follow the track. Sometimes I misremember where turns are, but my dog always seems to find them.

We stopped tracking about a year ago and we are starting up again in about a week at tracking camp. I guess I need to do a refresher before we head up there.

[Kayos and Havoc]

Yep we track year round!

We do stay off the desert in summer due to rattle snakes, scorpions and cheat grass (like foxtails). We do not get much snow here but I will track in it when we get some. I did track Kayos in about 2 feet of snow a few years ago. It is fun to see them deal with the footprints.

As for articles, if you are using a toy that is fine - just put the toy under or in a leather glove. What a surprise! My favorite toy under than glove!!! After a dozen tracks or so just take the toy away and produce it after the track to play.

If you are going a 1/2 mile you should easily be able to do the AKC TD which is only about a 1/4 to a 1/3 of a mile. It has an article at the start and one at the end.

[BritneyP]

Thanks so much guys! Kathy- I will start doing what you suggested with the toy under the article. Should I just start asking him to platz before producing the toy?

BlackPuppy- I see you're also a member of the dark side. I have a male Mal of my own whom I haven't decided on a job for yet, and also a 9 month old puppy that is leaving next week for a sheriff's dept. in Ohio. How do you like your Laekenois?

[BlackPuppy]

Love the little guy. Okay, not so little. But, he must be the sweetest Laekenois in the world, and smart as a Malinois, too. He's a lot more cautious than my Malinois, but she's working lines. Can't wait until we can get into our first agility trial, but right now we are getting his Rally Novice title and he's so cute doing that. His tracking education starts next weekend. I hope he does well on that.

My Malinois has issues with other dogs, so we're starting up with tracking again so she doesn't have to be bothered by them.

Diversion here: How can anyone not love this face?

[Kayos and Havoc]

Oh what a cute little curly baby!!!!

Some diversions are good.....