Tracking Notes
by Kim Holton
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I'd like to encourage all of you to try the sport of tracking; training the dog to track human scent. The dog must find and identify every article dropped by the tracklayer in order to pass. I track by myself sometimes since the group is an hour away but track with a couple of members every chance I get. If there isn't a club close to you that's ok because there are two tracking lists, many tracking web sites, club members, and books to give guidance and support. See www.epick9.com/sta/books.htm for information on videos and tracking books along with ordering information. |
| Kim and Rambo Starting a Track | Rambo Tracking |
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| A Successful Track Completion | A Good Reward for a Job Well Done |
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Anything can and does happen when you go tracking. I remember when Rambo and I went for the TD. He tracked beautifully and found the glove at the end! I was sooo thrilled!! Suddenly, he started anxiously pulling me back towards the judges. I looked at them and they were waving for us to go back. Just then, I noticed a skunk centered 15 ft between the judges and us. Quickly, I pulled Rambo back the other way. That was too close. Another time, the cleanup crew removed all the flags and articles from one of the tracks. One cleanup guy even had the nerve to wear the hat dropped for Chessie (Bassethound) to identify! It made us nervous but it didn't bother Chessie a bit. She tracked terrific. One time my cats kept teasing the dogs as we went tracking. They would actually come right up to each of my dogs and then run away. I still can't believe that they both finished their track. Of course there were a few corrections (Leave it!). Be ready to see all sorts of animals (dead and alive), and all types of human articles (some quite embarrassing) to be found and identified. Lastly, I am currently working towards TD for Hanna and TDX/VST for Rambo. I hope that many of you will give tracking a try. It's great to be outdoors and can be done anywhere and anytime -- day/night. You get to spend quality time with your dog while giving each of you a challenge. Tracking lets your dog use his/her unbelievable scenting ability. And it's wonderful exercise and socialization for both of you. There are many great Tracking books and videos available. Each has different ideas and you will need to determine and follow what works best for you and your dog. I have enjoyed reading many of them and continue to purchase ones as they come available. To see a list of tracking books, videos and ordering info - Check out http://www.epick9.com/. It has many books and videos but one that is not on the list is Tracking Guide $30.00 order from http://www.big-planet.org/. This will be the next book I order. If anyone has read this, I would like some feedback I have read the following and would highly recommend: Tracking From The Ground Up by Sandy Ganz and Susan Boyd
Tracking Bring Your Nose Over Here by Wentworth Brown. Component Training for Variable Surface Tracking by Ed Presnall and
Christy Bergeon. Practical Tracking for Practically Anyone by Julie Hogan and Donna Thompson. Enthusiastic Tracking by William Sanders If you would like to join a tracking list which consists of tracking judges, advanced trackers, SAR people, and beginners Here is another list with very fresh ideas in tracking and is full of
beginner - advanced trackers. I haven't seen any bickering on this list.
Everyone has been pleasant and helpful. Listed below are just a few of the many tracking websites. Winston-Salem Dog Training Club Tracking Tracking Notes by Craig
Green
There are sooo many others. If you know of something interesting please E-mail me, Kim |
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