Basic Tracking Books for a Beginner

[BarryMcD]

OK, all you Schutzhund, tracking, and scent-sport experts:

I have five dogs and I believe several have the potential for learning some tracking and scent-discrimination skills. I am always looking for new activities to train, but I know absolutely NOTHING about tracking, scent-discrimination, and the like.

So what I am looking for are a few suggestions on some books that will give me both the general theories of canine olfactory function and practical factors involved in tracking (temperature, wind, humidity, ground surfaces, etc.) and some books that will give step-by-step exercises and methods for teaching basic scent skills.

Remember, this is a beginner human with beginner dogs, so I am looking for the basics. Also I am more interested in AKC type tracking and general scent discrimination games, not Schutzhund-type tracking/training--if there is a major difference in approaches or methods between these when it comes to scent skills.

The breeds I would work with would be Rotties, basenjis, and a Shepherd mix. I am not interested in competing or entering formal trials, just having some fun and giving my dogs something new to do to keep them interested and fulfulled.

Which of the many books on tracking would you recommend? Which are the "classics" that a newbie could get the basics from?

Thanks.

[KazRocks]

I don't have any ideas but if find some books or other info I would like to get in to that too.

[Mattweiser]

Barry,

I have a very good book at home, I can't remember the exact name or authors (it is a joint piece)... I will give it a look tonight when I get home... I think it is called "Training the Working Dog" it is a SchH based book, but it has a very nice section on tracking

btw, as far as I can tell, there is little difference between SchH and AKC type tracking, training wise ;)

[Judi W]

One of the best old standbys is Glenn Johnson's book. Tracking Dog is I believe the title. Not currently in print but I am sure can be found.

[Diamond Dog]

Try here. If the link doesnt work, chck out my post in the "training" forum"

http://rottweiler.net/forums/showthr...threadid=14237

They have all kinds of books!