Communication
Most tracking is done with a tracking line connecting the dog and handler. Many handlers do not realize the importance of proper
tracking line handling. There is a constant flow of information flowing back and forth between handler and dog. Learning to read
what the dog is telling us is important. Knowing how to use and read the tracking line comes with experience. The following is an
exercise to help the handler understand his or her role as part of the tracking team.
One way to learn how to work and read the tracking line is through role-playing. For this exercise we will have an experienced
tracker play the role of the dog and a new handler on the other end of the tracking line. With the tracking line attaching the team
members they will attempt to work a pre-arranged track.
The handler is controlling the speed of the tracker as the line works through her hands. If there weren't the necessary control, the
tracker would start moving fast or even be running down the track. If the handler does not keep an even pressure on the tracking
line the "dog" will stand still, indicating confusion, until the situation is corrected.
An experienced person playing the part of the dog can greatly improve the andlers understanding of how to communicate with the
tracking line. Insecurity as well as a feeling of confidence can be transmitted along the line. We do not want the dog distracted by
what is or is not happening on our end of the line. The dog needs to be able to devote his total attention to the job of tracking. In
this series of photographs Dr. May Jacobson has taken the part of the handler and Nila McKendry plays the tracker.
The "dogs" job is to track from footprint to footprint and not become distracted by other scents on or near the track. As the "dog"
starts to show interest in a scent to one side or the other, the handler can stop until the "dog" comes back to the task at hand.
Light jerks on the tracking line also get the "dog's" attention.
In the checking from side to side situation, we do not want the dog to get in the habit investigating scents which have nothing to
do with the current track. If the dog's curiosity is not checked he may develop the problem of loosing focus and wandering off the
track. Such behavior is to be avoided. Many tracking teams fail because their dog looses focus and is unable to recover and
finish the track.
Both the handler and the "dog" in this exercise know where the track is going. If the dog tries to overshoot the turn the handler
must stop thus causing the dog to search out the next leg of the track. Should the "dog" be beyond the turn the dog and handler
can back up until the turn is found. Letting the dog develop the habit of making sloppy turns is not acceptable behavior.
The "dog", upon finding the turn, will hold up an arm to indicate the turn. For the new dog and handler keeping even pressure on
the tracking line and the line as parallel to the dogs back as possible is important. We do not want the dog to become distracted
by a change in the feel of the tracking line.
As the dog makes the turn the handler needs to swing out in the opposite direction of where the new leg of the track is going.
This movement will help to keep even pressure on the tracking line and reassure the dog.
Indicating a turn
The handler does not start to swing out in the opposite direction the dog is taking until the tracker has committed itself to the new
leg of the track. We do not want the dog distracted by a change on the handler's end of the line before he makes the turn.
After the turn is made the handler can leave the line at its current length and just make a wide arc. This should cause as little
distraction as possible to the tracker. In the sport of Schutzhund the dog must be worked at the end of a 30-foot line so it is
important for the Schutzhund tracker not to gather in the tracking line as the turn is negotiated.
As the dog indicates an article, the handler will drop the tracking line and walk up to the dog's right side and pick up the article
and show it to the judge. When showing the judge the found article it is important to make eye contact with the judge. After
showing the article to the judge it is time to stroke the dog as a reward for finding the article. The stroking of the dog does several
things:
1. The dog can relax knowing he has done well.
2. The dog now anticipates that he will be restarted on the track.
If this is the end of the track, heal your dog a short ways off the track and then give him praise and then heal him out of the area of
the track. Remember that tracking is an obedience exercise. After you have healed the dog a short way away from the track you
can then play with him.
Article Indication End of the Track
Most tracking is done with a tracking line connecting the dog and handler. Many handlers do not realize the importance of proper
tracking line handling. There is a constant flow of information flowing back and forth between handler and dog. Learning to read
what the dog is telling us is important. Knowing how to use and read the tracking line comes with experience. The following is an
exercise to help the handler understand his or her role as part of the tracking team.
One way to learn how to work and read the tracking line is through role-playing. For this exercise we will have an experienced
tracker play the role of the dog and a new handler on the other end of the tracking line. With the tracking line attaching the team
members they will attempt to work a pre-arranged track.
The handler is controlling the speed of the tracker as the line works through her hands. If there weren't the necessary control, the
tracker would start moving fast or even be running down the track. If the handler does not keep an even pressure on the tracking
line the "dog" will stand still, indicating confusion, until the situation is corrected.
An experienced person playing the part of the dog can greatly improve the andlers understanding of how to communicate with the
tracking line. Insecurity as well as a feeling of confidence can be transmitted along the line. We do not want the dog distracted by
what is or is not happening on our end of the line. The dog needs to be able to devote his total attention to the job of tracking. In
this series of photographs Dr. May Jacobson has taken the part of the handler and Nila McKendry plays the tracker.
The "dogs" job is to track from footprint to footprint and not become distracted by other scents on or near the track. As the "dog"
starts to show interest in a scent to one side or the other, the handler can stop until the "dog" comes back to the task at hand.
Light jerks on the tracking line also get the "dog's" attention.
In the checking from side to side situation, we do not want the dog to get in the habit investigating scents which have nothing to
do with the current track. If the dog's curiosity is not checked he may develop the problem of loosing focus and wandering off the
track. Such behavior is to be avoided. Many tracking teams fail because their dog looses focus and is unable to recover and
finish the track.
Both the handler and the "dog" in this exercise know where the track is going. If the dog tries to overshoot the turn the handler
must stop thus causing the dog to search out the next leg of the track. Should the "dog" be beyond the turn the dog and handler
can back up until the turn is found. Letting the dog develop the habit of making sloppy turns is not acceptable behavior.
The "dog", upon finding the turn, will hold up an arm to indicate the turn. For the new dog and handler keeping even pressure on
the tracking line and the line as parallel to the dogs back as possible is important. We do not want the dog to become distracted
by a change in the feel of the tracking line.
As the dog makes the turn the handler needs to swing out in the opposite direction of where the new leg of the track is going.
This movement will help to keep even pressure on the tracking line and reassure the dog.
Indicating a turn
The handler does not start to swing out in the opposite direction the dog is taking until the tracker has committed itself to the new
leg of the track. We do not want the dog distracted by a change on the handler's end of the line before he makes the turn.
After the turn is made the handler can leave the line at its current length and just make a wide arc. This should cause as little
distraction as possible to the tracker. In the sport of Schutzhund the dog must be worked at the end of a 30-foot line so it is
important for the Schutzhund tracker not to gather in the tracking line as the turn is negotiated.
As the dog indicates an article, the handler will drop the tracking line and walk up to the dog's right side and pick up the article
and show it to the judge. When showing the judge the found article it is important to make eye contact with the judge. After
showing the article to the judge it is time to stroke the dog as a reward for finding the article. The stroking of the dog does several
things:
1. The dog can relax knowing he has done well.
2. The dog now anticipates that he will be restarted on the track.
If this is the end of the track, heal your dog a short ways off the track and then give him praise and then heal him out of the area of
the track. Remember that tracking is an obedience exercise. After you have healed the dog a short way away from the track you
can then play with him.
Article Indication End of the Track
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