Tracking 101--Week Two
Week two of tracking class and it was coldish (25 degrees or so) and foggy. The ground was somewhat damp which is good and it was a little windy.
Last week to start the dogs, we laid three very short tracks in a row--all in the same row, all at the same time--10 yards/20 yards/20 yards. There's a flag at the start and a glove at the end of each track and a distance of about 10 yards between each of the three tracks. Treats are left about every footstep or every other footstep along the track with additional treats in the glove. The purpose is to get the dog's nose down and to begin to show them what the point is. Typically, it takes the first track for the dog to realize there are treats, the second track to realize he can use his nose to find the treats, and the third track to really begin to track.
This week we did longer tracks--two tracks of 50 yards each. With longer tracks, you start to get an idea of what the dog's style will be. Some dogs quarter (move back and forth across the track). Some dogs are very visual and stop and look around a lot or are easily distracted by events along the way. Some dogs airscent a lot or stop and investigate a lot of other scents. You can start to see who'll be fast, who'll be methodical, what they'll do with their tail and shoulders and nose. It's easier, by the way, to see this stuff about other people's dogs, especially for handlers who are just starting out. With your own dog, you're trying to hang onto the line and listen to the tracklayer and not get tangled up and trying to think of all the other things we've talked about.
Next week: corners