Tracking

[1StRott]

How do you slow a begining dog down on the track. She is 12 months. We have done minmal tracking, she understands sook, but when I take her to train she just runs past almost everything. When I try to sort of restrain her she is so intense and gets so low she basically is crawling. It seems like when I hold her back, it just makes her more intense and faster. She most ceraintly wants to do the work, which I feel is most important. She has her nose to the ground all the time, her sire is FH. Now I have to show her how to correctly utilize her senses. Thanks for your responses

[LisaS]

I have no experience teaching tracking to a dog (plans for this winter) but I have read up on it and have seen this question before - if you are using food on the track as a motivator, I've heard that decreasing the distance between food drops will slow the dog down - other than that, I leave the question to those with real-world experience.

[damp]

I don’t know if I have the real-world experience, but at least some experience.
The problem with inexperienced dogs “ running” at the track is relative normal and not a bad sign. But have to be corrected.
The question would be easier to answer, seeing you and your dog working on the track.
One of the methods could be as Lisa suggested or you could try to make the track more difficult: The ground, your steps, the time and the weather.
Some dogs respond more without track harness and other calm down with track harness.
Use a short leash – 2-3 metres in learning.
Lot of praise during the track can also reinforce the speed.
Keep the dog gentle down in speed and it will by time learn, that you are the one who decide how fast.
Be careful, many dogs are very sensitive for corrections on track, and it is “easy” to take away the joy of tracking.

[Orville Story]

If you want to slow a dog down on the track increase the distance. After the dog does about 800 yards they will slow down. If they think every track is going to be long they learn to pace themselves.

[DonnaJo]

Hi there,

May I recommend the book Tracking Dog theory & methods by Glen R Johnson. This is a old book but very excellent. I have never had a problem with dogs running the tracks, but on a list i belong to the suggestions have ranged from doing serpentine tracks to aging the track for longer to slow the dog down. I love tracking it is the most awesome experience when your dog and you click together and work as a team!

[nick teifke]

There's a couple of things you can do. Like some have said, make the track longer and decrease the distance between food. You can also either put more turns in the track or make it wavy. If she's not picking up any of the food, there are other foods you can try. I personally use turkey hot dogs but you can use cat food, fish, anything you want to and the dog likes. Be creative! There is no rule saying what you can use to track your dog, whatever works.
Good luck, and dont be too concerned, this is a problem many face.

------------------
nick teifke
rottsrus@dotnet.com
www.angelfire.com/wi/1strottie
icq# - 28884141

[Taug]

I have done tracking for about 8 months and am now introducing articles. I had similar experience with my dog wanting to rush. A few pointers:
1. Put S curves in the track after the first 10 paces. Put lots on food on the scent pad and then in each of the first 10 paces, then start the S turn with food only every 5, 10 and then 25 paces. And of course, a treat at the end (better yet, the dog's dinner...he/she should have to work for its food).
2. make the track long; the dog will settle down after about 10 paces
3. Make sure your dog is hungry...they won't get distracted...and hide the food under the grass so they have to use a deep nose
4. Use two leashes attached to opposing sides of the collar and run them under each front leg. You will be holding the dog back and steering somewhat like a horse...you need to keep your elbows bent and hold the dog back if he/she tries to rush
5. Try to make the dog go at your tempo, not the dog's tempo. Try counting to yourself. It should be a smooth, not jerky gait.

Just some things that have worked for me.