Julieanna

Hi Denis, I'll answer the questions in order. 1: Yes. 2: I keep my mouth shut, and concentrate on reading the dog. The only time I speak is when I praise her for indicating an article, and at the end of the track, when we have a fried bacon party and a game of stick. 3: The biggie indeed. I don't think she does. 4: We're using the only environment she knows: grazed and ungrazed paddocks on my own and my neighbour's properties. She knows why we are going to these places, and can't get to the start quick enough. 5: I'm beginning with tracking; my skills could well be a problem. Haven't hung myself or the dog on the line, though. I try to go at an even pace, and keep out of her way. 6: Our obedience training is clicker/positive reinforcement. She gives every indication of actively enjoying obedience games. From the time she was very small, we've played 'hide and seek' in the bush: I would allow her to get a little bit ahead, and duck behind a bush or whatever. She has never failed to find me, and it remains a favourite game. She is my fourth german shepherd; I've trained them all, but this is my first excursion into tracking. Like my previous dogs, she lives in the house, sleeps beside my bed, and has a balance of obedience, on and off lead exercise (6-8km/day), tracking, and trips to town for the good of her moral development. If she's unhappy, she's doing a damned good job of hiding it. Your comment about unfocused free scent tracking precisely illustrates my dilemma: this is what she does not do. When free tracking, she is completely focused, precise and determined, over varying terrain, occasionally through water, and for long periods at a stretch. I've not had a young dog display this behaviour before; you'd think she was channelling somebody's prize wallaby hound. Thank you for your input; I'll think over all you've said, and review my methods. The only thing I can't promise to do is re-read mr Johnston's book. His breadth of knowledge is humbling, but I'm afraid I'm crosseyed after about five pages. Thanks again, Julie

Julie - going by what you've written it sounds to me like she is "in drive" when she is tracking the wallabies, but not so when she is performing a constructed tracking exercise. Have you tried working her up to her tracking routine "in drive"? I'm sure there is a somewhat lengthy but very informative thread on "drive work" in the training forum .... by K9 Force. Possible worth your while reading if you're not sure how to go about building drive and training in drive to suit your (and your dog's) needs. There is a difference between "food exchange" and "drive". Erny, Thank you for putting the behaviour into words better than I could myself. That's exactly what is happening! I'm new to tracking, and my ignorant opinion is that she's showing enormous promise when spontaneously tracking, given that she's just seven months old. I shall certainly do the reading you've recommended. If only I can harness all this talent for the forces of good! Julie (Tasmania)

Hi Janba, I wasn't being clear. Anna's not leaving the track to follow wallaby; it's rather that when tracking off her own bat, as we wander through the bush, she shows a different demeanour (and higher level of concentration/competence) than I see when she's in harness. On laid tracks she does complete her task, marks objects, etc, but her body language and degree of concentration are different. After all, the dog knows quite well that she's tracking the silly tart that's standing behind her. The reward currently on offer is fried bacon, and she never sees this at any other time. Hell, I'd track myself, for that! The spontaneous tracking is not in conflict with the constructed tracking; I'd just like to be able to stimulate her to reproduce the skill I see on wallaby tracks, when she's in harness. I only know two other tracking dogs (one is her littermate), and they both live in suburban environments, so it's hard to be comparative. I've been taking Anna into the paddocks and bush since she was eight weeks old; she's been amusing herself by tracking bunnies, bandicoots and the like since she was a waddliing puppy. If I could but get her to reproduce that special gait and body language when in harness, she'd break world records. I will try getting her to track for her supper; what I need is that 'lightbulb moment', as I don't think she's got it quite yet. Thank you for your help, Julie

Hi all, I have owned german shepherd dogs (and a maremma, but that's a different kettle of dog altogether) for over twenty years. My current dog, Anna, is seven months old, and I am hoping to get right in to tracking with her. In fact, she's entered into a trial in August (Tasmania, Gretna, hi Pete, long time no see!). I have been receiving excellent advice from Jody, whose patience is matched only by her experience. However, I'd like to discuss a couple of points that would only arise with people whose dogs live in the bush. I live on a twenty-five acre property out of Hobart, that runs goats, horses, and a whacking great herd of wallabies. The hoppy things come up to the house every night, and Anna has been tracking them every morning since the day of her arrival. We also take long walks on country lanes and through the bush daily. She is a sophisticated, experienced tracker of wildlife. She uses a specific gait when she's on the scent; her nose glues itself to the ground, and she is capable of maintianing concentration for a considerable period. She also works tracks that I lay for her; what I've noticed is that my (artificial, obviously) tracks do not produce in her the same response as the wallaby trails. She has never caught an animal, so in that sense natural tracking has not been reinforced. The best way I can find of explaining it is to say that when I run her over tracks, she's willing, but 'being pollite' to please me. When tracking wildlife, she's a different dog, and I don't know how to transfer her skill to the artificial tracking environment. Or, in other words, how do I make myself as attractive as last night's wallaby? Julie (Tasmania)

Hi Belinda, I'm not a behaviourist, but I have owned dogs for many years. My first advice would be this: you have acquired an adult dog whose history is not known. Separate her from your baby. Now. By all means, begin training her; if you are not experienced in this area, obedience classes will help you both. On the domestic front, think management: baby gates, crates, set routines - whatever it takes to keep the dog part of the family, while keeping your children safe. You can choose any number of arrangements to suit your circumstances, but I can't emphasise enough that your present arrangements may be putting your children at risk. Dogs do not view children in the same way as adults. As she's only been with you for a short time, and appears to be showing some anxiety-related behaviour, I would suggest simply allowing her to hang out with the family for a bit. Don't give her too much attention, don't reassure her when she goes belly up; simply give her a space of her own (and I'm thinking crate here) where she can observe the family without being threatened. Do not allow the children to approach her while she's in her space. When the children are in bed at night, let her out and spend some time observing what she does. A good trainer will be able to give you lots of simple advice about positive techniques, which will help you to feel in charge of the situation (which is what the dog is asking you, by the way). Good luck, and good for you, in giving this dog a chance. Julie (Tasmania)