Teaching the article search?

[Lauri & The Gang]

Any good books or websites out there on how to teach the article search?

Would a dog have to be a good tracker before you start?

This sounds like something fun to do!!

[umzilla]

I'll bite

I don't know of any books or articles. Also, your dog doesn't need to be a good tracker for this, since the articles are thrown. They just need to understand the "game" -- which is to find something that isn't easily visible in the grass.

I would start easy, and then slowly make things harder depending on how the dog progresses. I also think it's importnat to establish a visible "search area" from the start if you are thinking of doing these titles, becuase otherwise the dog may want to wander outside of the search area.

Here are some ideas of how to START:

Make a small search area
Use big, visible articles
Use many articles (so there are more frequent "finds" and more rewards)
Allow the dog to see you throw the articles

When you see that the dog understands to go into the search area and indicate the article, then you can take ONE of the above concepts and make it harder, for example, make the articles smaller, don't let the dog see you throw them in, etc. Personally I would only make one variable at a time harder.

It's a really neat exercise and very challenging for the dog, doesn't take alot of time to practice, and is a good mental workout!
Plus, it might come in handy someday when you lose your keys in a forest preserve.......

Christine

[BlackGSD]

Originally Posted By: umzilla....if you are thinking of doing these titles,
Christine

What "titles" are there and what orginazition(s) does them?

[Lauri & The Gang]

Tracy,

Check out this thread:

http://www.germanshepherds.com/forum...e=1#Post784737

I think it looks like fun!!

[BlackGSD]

Thanks Lauri!

Figures if would have to be SDA since there are NO SDA clubs in this part of the country.

Still looks WAY fun though and a good way to keep them "thinking".

[umzilla]

SDA clubs are EASY TO FORM.

Can I repeat that?? EASY TO FORM.

You don't need to form a club for all venues either - for example, you can be an SDA club that offers tracking and article search ONLY. In this case, you don't need a helper, blinds, jumps, etc etc. You would be licensed to hold tracking and article search trials, and down the road if you wanted to add more events, it would be easy.

Forming an SDA club takes 4 members of SDA and some paperwork. If you were just wanting to form for tracking and article search, the turn around time on the paperwork is very quick. No affiliation trial required either.

Be bold......start a club!

Christine

[BlackGSD]

But I am only 1 person!!!

BUT, there are 3 board members(KathyW, Oksana and Cat) that do tracking in the Tri-Cities area!!!

[umzilla]

See.......it could be possible! And that is only from this board. Surely there are others out there who like tracking.

Christine