[susan tuck]

Hi, my pup had the last of his puppy vaccines today, so tomorrow morning I can start him tracking. (my back yard is too small for anything but doing scent pads & food drops) . I have scoped out a great park, rarely see anyone there in the AM, looks great, mowed looks perfect for the pup!! I can't wait! I have a friend who is a landscaper, & his \"present\" to Arkane was approx a zillion nice little flags. :lol:

 

[Hil Harrison]

Hi Susan, just found this link....may help to start. Make sure if you go in the AM that there are not too many scents hanging around or he will follow those. Maybe best to find a stretch of grass where no one has been in a while( few days to a week) a field maybe?

http://www.nwk9.com/nwk9_puptrack01.htm

 

[Hil Harrison]

heres another that might help

http://www.doglinks.co.nz/clubs/tracking.htm#4

 

[susan tuck]

Thanks, I knew someone would have great advise! I read both articles & refreshed my memory with Susan Barwigs book. I haven't been down this path since Zorba was this age 14 yrs ago! Okay, here I go! And thanks again.

 

[susan tuck]

Hey, I must take a moment to brag :lol: Pup did great this morning. Perfect conditions, too. Did 3 short tracks with scent pads. (Been doing scent pads at home). 1st track, had him tied out, he watched me lay it (jsut like a 10 footer). 2nd track, had him tied out, he screamed & jumped as he watched me :lol: (maybe 15 footer), 3rd track same reaction (another 10 footer). He did pretty good job. Kept him between my knees, leash under front leg, (held his leash right there, too). I swear to god, these well bred dogs are sooooo easy!!!!!!!!!!!! Part way down the 2nd track he started catching on.

 

[Hil Harrison]

Sounds good susan well done. Just a question and not meant in any way I'm just curious. Why do 3 tracks? Isn't it better to do one track at a time and stop while you are winning? If for example by the second or third track he did not do so good as on your first track and you had to correct him a few times( it can happen) then you are back to square one. I dont know what the others think and maybe I'm a bit rusted in an idea, but I personally would rather do one track and see how he does, then pick up a day later or two days later a little bit of a longer track.

Thing is if you force him unknowingly into a mistake by doing it too many times you might have to start over each time. Stop while you are winning is my motto, but I would love to hear what others think because maybe my idea is totally wrong. The only way to learn here is to ask the question, but I wouldn't rush him. Tracking takes a lot out of a dog mentally. Give him the time to take it in.

And like I said once again I think it's great what you did so pleased dont think I am putting a downer on it :wink:

 

[susan tuck]

Yes, I think that is very sound advise. I think I was over excited yesterday morning. This morning, I just did 1 track. I appreciate your advise, & am hoping to hear more from you or anyone, especially on tracking right now. Thank you!

 

[Mike Schoonbrood]

I don't know about tracking, but in bite work and prey work I like to put the dog up when he's had alot of success and leaves on a high note. Unfortunately sometimes we all get a little overzealous and work the dog a little too hard

 

[susan tuck]

I think it probably applies here as well

 

[Hil Harrison]

Yes, I think that is very sound advise. I think I was over excited yesterday morning. This morning, I just did 1 track. I appreciate your advise, & am hoping to hear more from you or anyone, especially on tracking right now. Thank you!

How did the 1 track go? You probably will see a difference whether he does 1 or 3 for example. His concentration will be better during 1 than with nummer 3.
Do you use a toy at the end of the track so he gets that as a reward when hes finished?

 

[susan tuck]

Hi Hil, The first day (when I did 3 tracks) I used \"kibble pile as \"payoff+. His 3rd track was the best (Ithink I was just really lucky, it could have gone the \"other way\". Yesterday I only did 1 track, & concentration was good. I used tennis ball as a reward this time (stupid me, I forgotr my ball the first day :lol:

 

[Hil Harrison]

Hi Hil, The first day (when I did 3 tracks) I used \"kibble pile as \"payoff+. His 3rd track was the best (Ithink I was just really lucky, it could have gone the \"other way\". Yesterday I only did 1 track, & concentration was good. I used tennis ball as a reward this time (stupid me, I forgotr my ball the first day :lol:

Great its sounding good..........keep up the good work :wink:

 

[susan tuck]

Thanks! I'll come back to this forum as soon as the april fools joke is over. :lol: My eyes are burning from the pink!

 

[Hil Harrison]

Hows the tracking going now Susan with the pup?

 

[susan tuck]

Tracking is going fine, thanks for asking Hil! Since he's just at the stage of footstep to footstep tracking, I'm not as worried about the rain as I was! Just needed to use my head & apply a little common sense! It will still be a while yet, before he realizes he is tracking disturbed grasses/human scent rather than hotdog scent!!!