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Training Tips -
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Introduction to Tracking
Overview
The purpose of tracking is for the dog to follow a human scent trail and
find the "missing person” at the end. Tracking is an activity that
cannot really be taught to a dog by a human. All dogs that have
the ability to smell can track, some are better at it than others but if
push came to shove and they were left in the wild they would all be able
to use their sense of smell to locate food. People have a limited
understanding of how scent works, whereas dogs (with their much more
sensitive scenting apparatus) understand and work it brilliantly. It is
important that it is understood that the best a handler can hope for, is
to hone the dog’s natural scenting ability in the desired direction. The
dog must use its initiative to achieve in tracking and the handler must
remember in tracking the dog is never wrong, it might just need to recheck
the direction of the trail until it is sure. The tracking handler’s motto
is "Trust your dog", if there is any doubt you MUST believe
that the dog is doing the right thing: - don't forget you can't track, you
don't understand the circumstances the dog is working under.
Trials
Tracking trials are held from approx May through until September each year
in Victoria, due to the heat and snake bite danger in summer. The first
test is called a Tracking Qualification Test, then you move onto Test I,
Test 2 (once Test 2 is passed your dog will gained it’s first tracking
title, which is known as a Tracking Dog Title and your dog will have the
letters TD after it’s name. Then you and your dog move onto Test 3, Test 4
and Test 5 once these have been completed successfully your dog will have
gained its Tracking Dog Excellent Title (TDX). Test 6 is the next and last
test that you and your dog will undertake in tracking and once this level
has been passed, your dog will have attained the ultimate in tracking, it
will be a Tracking Champion.
The first test, (TQT) is 300 metres in length and will contain one ninety
degree turn. The time delay between when the test is laid by the
tracklayer and the dog commencing to track is between 10 and 30 minutes.
An article (usually a sock) with the tracklayer’s scent on it is left at
the start flag so the dog knows which scent it is to follow. Test 5 is
laid over a distance of I200 metres, or 1.2kilometres, it has a least 5
angle turns one of which will be acute. The time delay on this test is
between 60 and 180 minutes prior to the dog & handler working the track.
It has an article at the start flag and 3 more over the course of the
track. Two articles must be indicated by the dog and the tracklayer found
for the dog to obtain a pass. Test 6 is also laid over a distance of 1200
metres but instead of the article being left at the start flag it is
handed to the handler in a sealed bag in the vicinity of the where the
judge gave their instructions to the tracklayer. This is what is called a
‘blind start”. There is no flag stating where the tracklayer commenced
laying the track, the dog must use its scenting ability to find the track
left when the tracklayer left the area.
Trials generally cost between $20 and $35 dollars to enter and due to the
amount of land required are generally held outside the Melbourne
metropolitan area. Gippsland, Ballarat, Inverleigh, Broadford and the
Mornington Peninsula are regularly used areas. Check-in times are usually
around 6.30am and trials are often held over two or three days to ensure
as many entrants as possible actually get a track. You may request a
particular day, but note that the trial secretary is not obliged to juggle
the entries and it is almost impossible to accommodate all such requests.
Be prepared to accept any of the days and you'll be a popular competitor!
Note that there are often more entrants than tracks available in which
case a ballot is held prior to the trial. When attending a tracking trial,
it is considered poor form to not be prepared to lay tracks for other
people. Always take at least 6 articles and put them on when you leave
home on the morning of the tracking trial and keep them on your person
during the day. The rule book state they must be on your person for a
minimum of 30 minutes prior laying a test, by having them on you all day
you will never be caught out not being available when a tracklayer is
required.. Remember that you will require unknown people to lay your
tracks as time goes on, be prepared to help others as required.
Entry forms for tracking trials are available for purchase from the VCA
Office but you can also use the standard obedience entry form. The test
number you are entering should be stated, and your known tracklayer should
be nominated. Also include a copy of your most recent pass, which verifies
that you are eligible for a particular test. Include a stamped
self-address envelope to ensure that the trial secretary sends you a
receipt and/ or map of the venue.
Training Method
The basic idea when beginning to track with a dog is to get the dog
interested enough in someone to want to follow, and try to encourage the
dog to use its nose instead of eye/ears to find the person. The same
process can be used to find an object rather than a person, but it's
generally easier to get the dog focussed on finding a person than an
object.
You should always commence tracking training by laying the track with the
wind behind you. If you lay the track into the wind it will encourage your
dog to wind scent rather than scenting the ground where the tracklayer has
walked.
Have the handler put the dog in harness and attach a training lead
approximately 5 metres in length. Give a favourite toy or favourite treat
(reward) to someone the dog knows well. Stand near an obstacle that the
dogs can't see around or through something like a car or brick wall). Have
the track layer "make a big fuss of both dog and toy/reward and walk off
towards an obstacle they can hide behind (a tree or shed) about 30 metres
distant. Let the dog see the person leave and the general direction they
are going in, then move it behind the car. Make a big fuss, "Where is he?
Who's got your toy? Where’s he gone?" etc to get the dog’s interest level
up. Leave about a 2-minute gap after the tracklayer has left before moving
the dog out to find him. Be consistent with the use of a word for the
tracking act i.e. find or seek. Remember the word should not sound harsh
in anyway. Use this word now and encourage the dog to find the tracklayer.
i.e. "Find. Where is he?” or “Seek him then". The dog should move in
roughly the right direction having seen the tracklayer leave. Allow the
dog to travel a short distance in the right direction on no more than 3
metres of lead. Don't allow it to run, steady tension on the
lead is the best. If the dog’s nose goes down towards ground level, praise
and repeat the word in an enthusiastic but non-distracting tone
"Find/Seek, good boy". While the dog’s nose is down, or is clearly
sniffing/scenting allow forward movement, if the dog is just wandering at
random, or trying to run in the direction he saw the person leave, gently
restrain him and allow no forward movement. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES
correct the dog. Simply encourage the dog to come back onto the track and
only then once the dog has indicated the track and you have praised it
will you move forward with the dog.
Slowly progress towards the tracklayer’s hiding place and regardless of
the dog’s performance to get there, PRAISE madly. The tracklayer
should make a big fuss of the dog and play with the toy with the
dog. The tracklayer and toy are the dog’s reward and should be used
profusely to encourage the dog to remain enthusiastic next time. Do only
one or two tracks per training session. Don't be surprised if your dog
seems to have little idea of what is required for the first few sessions.
Like many activities it can take time for the dog to get the idea,
repetition is the key. As the dog improves, increase the distance, don't
allow the dog to see the tracklayer leave, and start to use articles on
the ground. The articles can be used to help keep the dog’s nose down.
Outside of your tracking training, get the dog enthusiastic about picking
up socks. Make a game out of it. Then use socks on the track and praise
when they are found. Don't fall into the trap of placing them so closely
that the dog can see each one and just runs to them. Place them at least I
0 metres apart and let the dog scent to them.
Further Information
Further information on Tracking can be obtained by reading the ANKC
tracking rulebook which is available from the Victorian Canine Association
Inc. The Tracking Club of Victoria also conducts beginners training days
for members and an annual workshop weekend which is open to members and
non-members. For more information go to
www.trackingclubvic.org.au
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