In tracking, a dog follows the scent left by a person walking through a field and finds one or more articles left along the way. Dogs have amazing scenting ability and love using their nose. As dogs develop their scenting ability and as handlers become adept at following their dog along a track, they join that special fraternity of tracking enthusiasts who experience the joy of completing an unknown track. The training method described here is a systematic technique that works for almost all dogs. It is a structured and careful method, leaving very little learning to chance. Because the dog must lead the handler down the track, motivational techniques are emphasized throughout the training process. The method prepares a dog and handler both for their first tracking test and the advanced TDX test. This training method is ideal for trainers who want a well laid-out plan that has a long history of success in training dogs to track. Throughout the book, you will find detailed descriptions of tracklayer and handler procedures as well as problem avoidance and problem solving techniques. A field ready map is included for each session to help the tracklayer lay the correct track for the dog.
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About the Author
The author, an AKC tracking judge, has trained two dogs to their TDX, many to their TD, and has helped numerous students and friends accomplish this elusive goal. In 1984, his Alicia became the first Westie to earn a TDX and in 1991, Mr. Q became the second. Others he has coached to a TDX include dogs from five of the AKC groups, the first Bernese Mountain Dog, and several dogs that everyone had given up on but their owner.
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Introduction
Tracking is a fun activity for a dog and handler to enjoy together. The general idea is for the dog to follow the scent left by a person walking through an area and to find an article dropped by that person. It turns out dogs are quite good at this and naturally enjoy using their noses. We do not teach the dog how to use their noses; they are naturally thousands of times better at using their noses than we are at using our noses. We are going to teach the dog to stay with a track until he finds the article. We teach this by showing him that it is always lots of fun to do so!
The major premise behind the Enthusiastic Tracking training technique can be summarized by listing the three most important issues in successful dog tracking: motivation, motivation, and motivation. This analogy to the old real estate joke reminds us that no matter how well-trained our dog is, he will only follow a scent (which we cannot smell ourselves), lead us down the track (which we cannot see ourselves), solve the scenting problems along the way (which we can at best only partially understand), and find the article at the end if he is strongly motivated to do so.
Tracking is unique in dog sport in that the dog knows what to do and the handler must read his dog and follow him. Although we carefully structure our initial training tracks so the handler does know exactly where the track is located, when the dog is tested, the dog must be prepared to assume the leadership role.
In addition to the supreme importance of motivation, the dog must master numerous scenting and problem solving skills before he will be successful. This training method provides ample opportunity for the dog to master these skills.
Tracking is a team sport in the truest sense of the concept. Although the dog is the master of scent and the team leader, the handler has a critical support role to play for the team to be successful. The first important aspect of this support role is for the handler to trust and believe his or her dog when the dog is committed to a track. The second aspect is when a scenting problem causes a dog to lose the track, the handler must organize the dog's search and encourage him to search nearby quadrants or areas that he has not yet covered.
This training method first develops basic scenting skills in the dog while building motivation to stay committed to the track. Then the method develops handler skills in reading the dog and organizing searches for lost tracks. Finally, the method refines the basic skills of the dog and handler until they are fully prepared to handle any situation they are likely to face in a test.
This book first describes training for the AKC Tracking Dog title and then it goes on to cover TDX training. The training is also suitable for CKC's tracking program since both the Canadian titles are tested with tracks that are similar to but a little bit simpler than their AKC counterparts. AKC's variable surface tracking program is new and this method has not yet served as the basis for training dogs on to the VST title. So, no recommendation is made in that regard.
If you and your dog are well prepared, you and your dog will pass the TD test and you will have an excellent chance of passing the TDX test. You only get to pass once since most tracking tests are full. So, enjoy your training! It will account for 99% of your tracking experience. Make every training session fun for you and your dog. Focus on that fun and success in the goal of passing the tests will follow.
In this introduction, I discuss an overview of scent and how a dog works scent. The remaining chapters deal with a specific schedule of training activities that is designed to mold you and your dog into a confident tracking team.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
37 of 39 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Enthusiastic Tracking, The Step-by-Step Training Manual,
By M.A. (Marysville, WA USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Enthusiastic Tracking, The Step-by-Step Training Manual (Paperback)
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to track with any kind of dog. The method is designed for the dog to always have success, and it's fun for both owner & dog. I am fortunate to have this book in my library & also to have attended a seminar by the author & to have been given tracklaying pointers by him the first time I laid a track for a tracking test. I can attest that he is an excellent teacher!
M.A.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A GREAT book for the layman or the experianced!,
This review is from: Enthusiastic Tracking, The Step-by-Step Training Manual (Paperback)
No fanfare or complications. Just a simple book with simple terms and diagrams that anyone can understand. I have met Sil a few times at Earth Dog trials. VERY good dog trainer.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful from start to finish,
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This review is from: Enthusiastic Tracking, The Step-by-Step Training Manual (Paperback)
I bought this book hoping for starter help with my first tracking dog. This has been a great asset to me and my friends. It was not written at a time when there was a VST title but if you can get to the TDX level then I think that is a great start.
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