One of the greatest games you can play with your dog is teaching the dog to use its sense of smell to find a great reward. Dogs like to use their noses; it is the first way they identify things – and what dog doesn’t like to find something which results in a reward, be it food, a toy, or a game of tug or chase?
The sport of tracking uses the dog’s natural scenting ability to follow where a person has walked (the track) and find items that the person has dropped (articles). Our job is to teach the dog to use its nose to follow the “track” and find the “articles” at which point the dog in training will be rewarded. The only way it can find the “articles” which pay the reward is to use its nose to follow the track. Sounds like a relatively simple formula – then why do so many people have so much trouble when they start working?
The answers are the same as for any other type of training. To name a few:
• Poor motivation
• Lack of clarity on the part of the trainer
• Dog does not understand the reward system
• Increased difficulty too soon
• Making it a job instead of an enjoyable, rewarding task
• Poor understanding of the dog’s physical/mental stamina
• Poorly planned tracks
Starting out right with a qualified trainer who is also a good teacher and understands various breeds of dogs can help avoid so many problems.
There are many good books on tracking, but if you don’t have a solid foundation in training, they are not that helpful. Videos are fine but usually show the finished product and not how to deal with problems or may not deal with the problems you are having.
Going to a beginner’s clinic is a very good start, but it can only take you so far and depending on the skill and expertise of the instructors, you may or may not come away with a plan.
Continuity, consistency, and motivation are the keys to developing a good tracking dog. If you are frustrated, it usually affects the dog. This is why follow-up sessions that allow for individual needs are very important especially for new trackers. As in any dog sport, there is a lot for the handler to learn, and if the handler cannot obtain the help he needs, progress will be slow at best. To make progress you need someone who cannot only identify the problems you may be having but who can also design training sessions to help you solve those problems and build the dog’s confidence and yours!
Training with a group of friends is fun and a nice social outing but may not address the needs of your dog; and poorly planned tracks can lead to more confusion. Look for instructors and clubs with a proven success rate and a broad foundation to address all problems. Nothing can take the place of competent proven experience and ability. Don't be afraid to ask any potential instructor lots of questions about why you should train with him and what his students have accomplished. Your dog will thank you!
Carolyn Fuhrer has earned over 200 AKC titles with her Golden Retrievers, including 4 Champion Tracker titles. She is also an AKC Tracking Judge. Carolyn is the owner of North Star Dog Training School in Somerville, Maine. She has been teaching people to understand their dogs for over 30 years You can contact her with questions, suggestions, and ideas for her column by e-mailing carolynfuhrer@gmail.com