Vom Löwenherzig Rottweilers ~ Home of Maik von der Frankentanne and other quality Rottweilers
By Pat Norris
The day before an AKC tracking test, whether it is a TD, TDX, or VST test, tracks are planned and
plotted by a group of people. Usually there are two judges accompanied by a tracklayer and often
attended by a carrier of flags. Sometimes a cross tracklayer, a judge's apprentice, an AKC
representative, a head tracklayer and/or other helpers may be part of the group. So the track that is
being plotted has what some have called a grand parade walking on it the day before the test. Does
this affect the work of the dog the next day?

Too many times we see dogs appear to have difficulty at the start of a test track, especially on TDX
tracks. Many dogs fail at this point; but when they are restarted, they work the track very well.
Heartbreaking. One theoretical explanation is that the dogs are confused by the scent left by the
plotting group the day before. Maybe they need practice distinguishing the difference.

Considering that we know many dogs are able to follow tracks that are 24 hours old or more, it seems
very likely that our trackers can be affected by the grand parade, which occurred the day before.
Since we know this condition exists at every AKC test, it seems we should train for it just as we train
for changes of cover, article indication, distractions, and other circumstances likely or certain to occur.
Training for the grand parade requires the cooperation of some training pals.

Here is one way to train for this test condition with a minimum of hassle. This technique does require
that at least two of you can go tracking two days in a row, so this might have to be planned for a
weekend. Planning for TD tracks, which do not need to be aged much over 30 minutes, is easier than
planning for TDX and VST tracks, which should be aged at least 3 hours to simulate test conditions. So
this exercise is described for the TDX and VST trainers. You also can do this for TD dogs; simply adjust
the age of the tracks for dogs in TD training.

On day one, get a tracking friend who wants to train for the grand parade to go with you. Each of
you lay a simple one turn, single flag track with an article at the start and one at the end.  Mark the
turn, and mark the end of the track with clothespins or other inconspicuous markers. Let the tracks
age as long as convenient, not necessarily 3 hours. Then run your dog on your own track, with your
friend following behind. If there are others in your group, have them all follow behind. Then follow
behind your friend and her dog while they do their simple track. Leave the flags and markers where
they are.

On day two, come back and lay the same track again with articles at the start and the end, but pick
up the markers. Your friend should lay her same track again with articles at the start and the end,
picking up the markers. This time age the tracks for at least three hours. When you return to run the
tracks, you and your dog do the track your friend laid, and she and her dog run the track that you
laid. You will have a track that is regulation age, but it will be different than your ordinary training
track. This one will have been walked on by you, your dog, your friend, and anyone else you could get
to follow you the day before. That comes fairly close to simulating a grand parade.

As in training for any element, repeat this exercise as often as necessary until your dog understands
that s/he should follow the correct track. Probably many dogs will handle this sort of track with no
trouble; and if yours does, you will have one fewer issue to make you nervous on the big day.
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