laffi Posted March 2, 2009 Share Posted March 2, 2009 (edited) Ok I want to start tracking with my dogs (we did a little bit but I want to seriously get into it and be able to compete). As far as I understand there is a couple of ways for the dog to indicate the article (down, sit, pause (LOL) and retrieve according to the ANKC rules). I am tempted to teach the retrieve. Has anyone else used that one in tracking? Any suggestions/tips? Thanks! ETA: In trials, are articles mostly gloves/socks or are other items used as well? Edited March 2, 2009 by laffi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted March 2, 2009 Share Posted March 2, 2009 I am going to try tracking with Diesel. I am going to teach the down for the article. I'm also only new at this, maybe we can compare notes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laffi Posted March 2, 2009 Author Share Posted March 2, 2009 I am going to try tracking with Diesel. I am going to teach the down for the article. I'm also only new at this, maybe we can compare notes That would be great! I need to try a new sport for a while as Midge is injured and her recovery might take a while Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted March 2, 2009 Share Posted March 2, 2009 I'm hoping I have more luck with tracking than obedience with Diesel So far he does really enjoy it, now just to see if I can get him to be precise enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MolassesLass Posted March 2, 2009 Share Posted March 2, 2009 Ok I want to start tracking with my dogs (we did a little bit but I want to seriously get into it and be able to compete).As far as I understand there is a couple of ways for the dog to indicate the article (down, sit, pause (LOL) and retrieve according to the ANKC rules). I am tempted to teach the retrieve. Has anyone else used that one in tracking? Any suggestions/tips? Thanks! ETA: In trials, are articles mostly gloves/socks or are other items used as well? The people I train with all just use squares of dark coloured cotton fabric. No bigger than the size of a large worksock as in the rules though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedy2 Posted March 2, 2009 Share Posted March 2, 2009 a couple of ways for the dog to indicate the article (down, sit, pause (LOL) and retrieve according to the ANKC rules).I am tempted to teach the retrieve. Please do not teach the retrieve! When a dog picks up an article the scent of the article drenches its nose and mouth, making it unable to scent anything else for a while (the amount of while varies with conditions, size of snout etc). It can thus cause the dog problems establishing the track direction again, handling decoys, corners etc. Additionally the dog has left the track and its direction to come back to you in the retrieve, and may easily mistake the track direction when starting again, because all it can smell is the article it has just given to you. A nice simple drop / stand / sit is wonderful. In trials, generally socks are used. On occasion I have seen a bra left at a starting peg when the tracklayer realised that she was short an article. Ditto tshirts. Neither on the track because the scent pool would be too large, only at the start. Once you get to competition tracks for dogs with their tracking championships, articles can vary widely. You're a way away from that yet though. Socks are the most usual. dark socks, preferably of a natural fibre like cotton or wool. DIRTY socks - that means they smell of you. Recently of you! Must get around to washing my last season's socks before this season ... Speedy2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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