HITT System

**Lauri & The Gang** · 10-24-2008, 11:52 AM

After reading about Rosie’s TD I went and did a Google search on the HITT method of training and found Steve Smith’s website.

On there I found videos of the method and the results of one dog having been trained this way.

Video #1 shows a dog that brings it’s head up as soon as it gets off vegetation
Video #2 shows how to set up a dog’s first HITT track
Video #3 shows a dog working that first track

Video #4 shows a dog, trained using the HITT method, working a parking lot.

Video #4 impressed the HECK out of me!!

http://www.i2ik9.com/Police_K9_Mag_HITT_Article.htm

Has anyone else had any experience with this method??

BlackPuppy · 10-24-2008, 12:43 PM

From the web site:
"The result of this analysis pointed toward a fundamental flaw in many tracking dogs—reliance on vegetation. It turned out
this unproductive trait was a natural by-product of typical tracking training regimens. We had started tracking training the traditional way, with short run-away tracks on nice grassy surfaces."

That's why at tracking camp Balto was started on all surfaces. The trainer had him doing sand, grass, leaves, forest, field and concrete all on the second day. Train it from the beginning and it doesn't become a problem.

My trainer also didn't use the methodology I've read in tracking books by starting with short straight tracks, adding 1 turn, adding 2 turns, increasing the length incrementally. All tracks had at least 3 turns and a curve, through multiple surfaces. Everything was variable. Tracks were all different lengths, layed by different people, and aged all different times, though mostly around 2-3 hours.

The German Shepherd there really showed us what a new tracking dog can do. His track was layed through a concrete picnic shelter. Later we had lunch in the shelter and the track layer helped with cleanup and moved around the shelter. Later when the dog worked his track you could see him checking the areas were the track layer ate and cleaned up, but was only checking, and then returned to the track.

BlackPuppy · 10-24-2008, 12:45 PM

Also from the web site:
"Here’s the hard part. Remain silent! Let the dog learn what works and what doesn’t. This approach is intended to build dogs that can work independently as they handle scent problems. Make sure there’s no tension in the lead."

That was also my problem. I found that if I stood quietly and didn't look at the dog, the dog would almost always work it out himself.

Kayos and Havoc · 10-25-2008, 11:27 PM

Exactly!!!! The old method of starting on straight tracks and aging in small pieces is just that - old. The dog will figure it out. I start all my dogs on at least a 30 minute old track with a turn.

I have not used HITT but have read about it.

Heather · 10-26-2008, 11:22 AM

At the HITT seminar (when Rosie was 5 months old), we started with short, straight tracks (as shown in the link you provided) but were doing serpentines on pavement in no time (can't remember if we did them on day 1 or day 2).

Steve and Jen stressed that we were not to interfere with the dogs work... you have to be patient and let them work the problem out on their own.

I love the method.. it fits perfectly with my training philosophy! ("Train smarter, not harder!")

10-24-2008, 11:52 AM	#1 (permalink)
Lauri & The Gang Moderator Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: SouthEastern WI Posts: 12,525	HITT System After reading about Rosie’s TD I went and did a Google search on the HITT method of training and found Steve Smith’s website. On there I found videos of the method and the results of one dog having been trained this way. Video #1 shows a dog that brings it’s head up as soon as it gets off vegetation Video #2 shows how to set up a dog’s first HITT track Video #3 shows a dog working that first track Video #4 shows a dog, trained using the HITT method, working a parking lot. Video #4 impressed the HECK out of me!! http://www.i2ik9.com/Police_K9_Mag_HITT_Article.htm Has anyone else had any experience with this method?? __________________ Lauri & The Raw Fed Gang Raw Dog Ranch Tazer HIC CGC – Cocker Winnie CGC - Corgi Mix Chimanes Spice it Up Piquin (Kaynya) - Chinese Crested Sasha - GSD mix Nator von Triton HIC CGC (Mauser) - LC GSD Piquins Some Like it Hot (Spike) – Chinese Crested Piquins Too Hot To Handle - Fuego (Chinese Crested)

10-24-2008, 12:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
BlackPuppy Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,420	Re: HITT System From the web site: "The result of this analysis pointed toward a fundamental flaw in many tracking dogs—reliance on vegetation. It turned out this unproductive trait was a natural by-product of typical tracking training regimens. We had started tracking training the traditional way, with short run-away tracks on nice grassy surfaces." That's why at tracking camp Balto was started on all surfaces. The trainer had him doing sand, grass, leaves, forest, field and concrete all on the second day. Train it from the beginning and it doesn't become a problem. My trainer also didn't use the methodology I've read in tracking books by starting with short straight tracks, adding 1 turn, adding 2 turns, increasing the length incrementally. All tracks had at least 3 turns and a curve, through multiple surfaces. Everything was variable. Tracks were all different lengths, layed by different people, and aged all different times, though mostly around 2-3 hours. The German Shepherd there really showed us what a new tracking dog can do. His track was layed through a concrete picnic shelter. Later we had lunch in the shelter and the track layer helped with cleanup and moved around the shelter. Later when the dog worked his track you could see him checking the areas were the track layer ate and cleaned up, but was only checking, and then returned to the track.

10-24-2008, 12:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
BlackPuppy Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,420	Re: HITT System Also from the web site: "Here’s the hard part. Remain silent! Let the dog learn what works and what doesn’t. This approach is intended to build dogs that can work independently as they handle scent problems. Make sure there’s no tension in the lead." That was also my problem. I found that if I stood quietly and didn't look at the dog, the dog would almost always work it out himself.

10-25-2008, 11:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
Kayos and Havoc Crowned Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: McAlester, OK Posts: 16,921	Re: HITT System Exactly!!!! The old method of starting on straight tracks and aging in small pieces is just that - old. The dog will figure it out. I start all my dogs on at least a 30 minute old track with a turn. I have not used HITT but have read about it. __________________ Kathy The Wrecking Crew URO3, UCD "Kayos" CD,TDX,RE,CGC,HIC,TC URO1, UCD "Havoc" CDX,GN,RE,CGC,HIC,TC,BH At the Bridge: Lucky, Wolf, Max Gone but never forgotten

10-26-2008, 11:22 AM	#5 (permalink)
Heather Master Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Canada Posts: 876	Re: HITT System At the HITT seminar (when Rosie was 5 months old), we started with short, straight tracks (as shown in the link you provided) but were doing serpentines on pavement in no time (can't remember if we did them on day 1 or day 2). Steve and Jen stressed that we were not to interfere with the dogs work... you have to be patient and let them work the problem out on their own. I love the method.. it fits perfectly with my training philosophy! ("Train smarter, not harder!")

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
German Shepherd Advertisement