tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17492277408171744642024-03-21T16:12:44.317-04:00Nose Down, Tail Up: A Tracking BlogA Tale of Two Trackers - Sarah Wilson, with over 15 years in AKC-style tracking, and her I-have-a-better-idea mixed breed, Pip, and Melissa Fischer, who is just learning, and her Beagle, Milo, who was born knowing it all.Sarah Wilson - My Smart Puppyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137219671417404985noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749227740817174464.post-82550878232062911152019-06-24T15:16:00.004-04:002019-06-24T15:27:43.837-04:00Ramble's First Track<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWB2HtVIrvv7rFhWN7pCHf7WidwcgrzuddTj3UPYzFZPB99ySNK3ECv_mTEkbTriG7drg7ITZGcl5z9Kr7yrDQH9gkalTXPg-KdeU9mKC_mfgHYo7g6b0fXVcw1btOkhXbb63Td9wJmAY/s1600/20190624_151052.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="778" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWB2HtVIrvv7rFhWN7pCHf7WidwcgrzuddTj3UPYzFZPB99ySNK3ECv_mTEkbTriG7drg7ITZGcl5z9Kr7yrDQH9gkalTXPg-KdeU9mKC_mfgHYo7g6b0fXVcw1btOkhXbb63Td9wJmAY/s320/20190624_151052.jpg" width="156" /></a>
This morning I started
Ramble tracking. I've been looking forward to tracking with Ramble since before
I got him. By five weeks old he was showing a strong inclination to follow
scent trails, unlike his brother who usually had his head up while he ran around.
That was just one of the many reasons I knew Ramble was the pup for me.<br />
<br />
I didn't want to start
Ramble while Milo was still here, since tracking was Milo's favorite activity,
and I couldn't even bring myself to get out tracking gear after losing Milo,
but today I was ready. Of course Ramble has been ready all along, and he got off
to a strong start today.<br />
<br />
It's not an ideal day
for tracking, since it is hot and dry, but our grass is long, so I
figured the scent would stay strong and localized along the track. I laid two
10 yard straight tracks with baby steps, dropping kibble in each step, with a
glove at the end with kibble in it opening down toward the track to draw Ramble
in. The tracks went uphill to help the scent flow down, making a stronger,
easier scent trail to follow.<br />
<br />
I had Ramble lie down
at the flag to collect himself, but in the future I'll probably have him sit a
couple of yard before the flag so I don't bias him in the direction of the
track. Then I told him to "Go track!<br />
<br />
I was thrilled with
how Ramble did! He was very focused and very interested, without being in any
way hectic or impulsive. When he got distracted by a loud noise once and a
scent once (I suspect where a fox or coyote had marked) he got right back
in the game. While he was clearly interested in and eating the kibble
along the track, when he got to the articles he didn't show much interest in
the food in them, which makes me think he was particularly interested in the
actual tracking. He also tracked me from the end of the first track to the
start flag for the second, and there was no food along that section.<br />
<br />
Tomorrow we're
supposed to have rain showers, so I'm hoping to get Ramble out again in more
ideal conditions. This time I'll lay tracks with a turn, one going right, one
going left, so he doesn't start to think that tracks are always one
straight line. I can't wait!<br />
<br />
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<br />Melissa Fischerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15617837463419485494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749227740817174464.post-31625872080775089872011-05-11T16:04:00.000-04:002011-05-13T16:31:43.968-04:00Sarah: Indoor Airscenting FunPlaying with Pip this AM up in one of the guest rooms, I put the anise-scented cotton ball against the corner of a closed door. Returning to my eager teammate, I told her to "Find!" Zipping in, she went first to the location of her last find. Nothing. Then she went to the location of the find before that. Nothing. Then, having used all her memory had to suggest, I heard her turn her nose on. She started snuffling her typical pattern, circle out a bit from one "last seen location" and then the other. Checking a few spots out as she went back and forth, one to the other.<br />
<br />
When this came up dry, she worked the perimeter going right past the cotton ball several times. I realized then that the scent was probably being pulled under the door into the other area, much like water might seep from one room, under a door, to another. And, with the scent being pulled away, it was largely "invisible" in the room we were in.<br />
<br />
After about five minutes, Pip returned to me, sat and stared. I did not move, I did not make eye contact. Usually she breaks off in a few seconds and gets back to work, this time she did not.<br />
<br />
We're new to this particular scenting game and my job is to protect her desire to try above all things. So, still without making eye contact, I took a few steps into the center of the room and told her enthusiastically to "Find!" From there she spun and went directly to the cotton ball. Click/toss a major treat.<br />
<br />
Did I somehow orient her to the find? Not that I am aware of but much of the most interesting stuff in scent work handling happens well outside our conscious awareness. I'll certainly watch for it in the future.<br />
<br />
Ms. Pip is picking up this game quickly, stay tuned for more reports on this fun canine activity.Sarah Wilson - My Smart Puppyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137219671417404985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749227740817174464.post-12873715663940647712011-04-21T18:24:00.004-04:002011-06-06T12:03:22.562-04:00Melissa: Back on TrackThe snow is gone, the sun is shining, and it’s starting to feel like spring, so, even though it’s cool and windy today, it is time to TRACK again! It’s been a few months, so I decided to start the season off with a fairly easy, warm-up track. Four legs of moderate length and two articles, which for Milo is just enough to whet his appetite. <br /><br />My 12 year old nephew was helping me by gathering clips and carrying items for me, and his younger brother and father were following along, so this was a family occasion, rather than my usual solitary time in the field. I laid the track, drawing my map, as usual, then let the track age while we had some lunch. After lunch I showed the map to my nephews and brother, explaining the two-points-make-a-line principle, and explaining cross tracks to my helper-nephew (next time he will lay some cross tracks for me),then we let Milo out of the car. He had already figured out what we were up to, and he was bouncing in the car as if on a pogo stick. I imagine the ticker tape in his Beagle brain was reading “SCENT-nose, tracking, scent-NOSE, tracking, scent- nose- TRACKING! LET’S GET GOING!!!<br /><br />We headed up the hill to the start flag, harnessed a dancing Milo, and off we went! Milo sniffed around briefly and headed straight up the track, with me explaining what he and I were doing over my shoulder to my nephews and brother (I know Milo can handle me doing this, especially on such an easy track). I stopped a couple of times, as I often do, so that Milo will be comfortable and confident if I stop for any reason during a test. The first time I stopped, he sniffed around to make sure he was on track, then kept going with confidence. The next time he seemed to realize I was just asking if he was sure, and he surged ahead confidently. I love the communication we have as we track together!<br /><br />Turns were not only not a problem for Milo; he clearly enjoyed the variety and wagged his long tail happily as he moved on with the confidence of an experienced tracking dog. In the past, Milo has sometimes seemed to view articles as insignificant detritus on the track and he has sometimes been inclined to skip over them. Not so today. Today he stopped abruptly for both articles, waiting eagerly for me to reward him and pick them up, then he quickly moved on down the track, tail wagging joyfully. A great start to a season that I hope will be filled with tracking adventures. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkZwW4TZ5YdyMYl9bS0n_ZTikaZ8KaaAMPtth0J4BwmUm_Gpo0yNB9c7IjlBWtjmREk_xFLV0eh7e1h8gTV9WD1NRXaGrwITNnGu-NqPZCqWNsK1tv0cgQL6-_vpEhXkAfu4RDQPqSJC_/s1600/Milo+042111+resized.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkZwW4TZ5YdyMYl9bS0n_ZTikaZ8KaaAMPtth0J4BwmUm_Gpo0yNB9c7IjlBWtjmREk_xFLV0eh7e1h8gTV9WD1NRXaGrwITNnGu-NqPZCqWNsK1tv0cgQL6-_vpEhXkAfu4RDQPqSJC_/s320/Milo+042111+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598169549454547266" /></a>Melissa Fischerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15617837463419485494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749227740817174464.post-35318501358033058872010-09-15T13:33:00.008-04:002011-06-06T12:03:53.068-04:00Melissa: Fall in a FieldI grumbled a bit as I grabbed my keys and headed out the door. Why, oh why does some neighbor have to play a saxophone by an open window starting at 6:30 every morning? I didn’t really feel like going out, but I wanted to find out who was so inconsiderate, so we could ask them to please shut their window before practicing.<br /><br />Well, I didn’t figure out who our morning musician is, but I did decide that, since I was already out anyway, I might as well go lay a track for Milo. In theory I love going out to lay a track first thing in the morning. In practice, it’s hard to get dressed to leave the house, when I’m usually still padding around in pajamas and bathrobe with a steaming mug of tea. Actually, I scarcely qualified as “dressed” this morning, which I realized when I got back home and looked in the mirror to see my hair unbrushed, my shirt askew, with the collar cockeyed, and my nice blazer now covered with stick-tights. I don’t normally wear a blazer to lay a track. In fact, I don’t normally wear a blazer at all. It just happened to be the nearest thing when I grabbed for something to keep me warm in my not-quite-awake state. I was also wearing crocs, not my hiking boots, because that was what was by the door as I hurried out. Did you know that laying a track on a dewy morning in crocs is akin to taking a foot bath? <br /><br />The field was heavy with dew and had a magical feel in the quiet of early morning. Apricot colored clouds piled high in the sky, shimmering in the sunrise. Fortunately, given my atypical garb, I was alone in the field—always a plus for this nature-loving introvert. I found my two points and walked, then looked back to see my path clear and straight, dark green through the light-colored wet grass. Birds called, but otherwise the morning was quiet. Too cool for insects to be on the move yet, but the wildflowers were raising their pretty faces to the sun. I lost myself in the joy of being out alone, and didn’t notice the stick-tights or the wet pant legs and socks until I got back to my car. And I didn’t care then, either; it had been the perfect start to my day.<br /><br />Three and a half hours later I returned to the field with my happily dancing Beagle, both of us eager to run the track. The fields were now dry in the sunshine, the fragrance of fall-on-a-warm-day filling the air. A fragrance that instantly brings a kaleidoscope of memories to mind—riding my bike through leafy paths as a young child; running through cabbage fields for cross-country practice in high school; toting a heavy bag of apples across campus in college. I paused to relish my memories, then was brought back to the present by my gleeful Milo, who could hardly contain his excitement. <br /><br />We ran the track, Milo tracking enthusiastically and well, me enjoying the connection with my dog, the connection with nature, and the connection with the part of myself that thrives on the simple pleasure of being outside with my dog. Another simple yet powerful memory added to my kaleidoscope of fall beauty.<br /><br />Perhaps tomorrow I’ll find our saxophone alarm clock and lay another track.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7lp8A9wDXM-mHQRjiSI59R58kvckzYu-H3WGt9kWxH2nZDC2LeMvyPMLB5C2JG05xwbtBKW7eryELJGULvMHFZtK4EYJZ_RA-aoG0nwuB1-M9yiEl6nQ9Uycab3OhnQ22wUcBj4c0S4d/s1600/0915101109.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7lp8A9wDXM-mHQRjiSI59R58kvckzYu-H3WGt9kWxH2nZDC2LeMvyPMLB5C2JG05xwbtBKW7eryELJGULvMHFZtK4EYJZ_RA-aoG0nwuB1-M9yiEl6nQ9Uycab3OhnQ22wUcBj4c0S4d/s320/0915101109.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517196574342914578" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fAPrHWdY-9Br7SeCj9pXv41BUcCfI2KoaPH5WimvaeV1jpKKUhw2A3oWRLr1ikft6IrrE1JbcbJt4Qnya324s4ljIwXvgv1fRbliCp009dGQflJli6xLaeGt1DWiWg0gmkNAbcUfY4vJ/s1600/0915101036.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fAPrHWdY-9Br7SeCj9pXv41BUcCfI2KoaPH5WimvaeV1jpKKUhw2A3oWRLr1ikft6IrrE1JbcbJt4Qnya324s4ljIwXvgv1fRbliCp009dGQflJli6xLaeGt1DWiWg0gmkNAbcUfY4vJ/s320/0915101036.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517196396888919266" /></a>Melissa Fischerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15617837463419485494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749227740817174464.post-50316375031546971402010-09-09T21:20:00.005-04:002011-06-06T12:04:16.656-04:00Sarah: ARE YOU READY FOR A FALL TEST?<div style="background-color: #274e13; color: white; text-align: center;">Wondering if you're ready to try for your TD this fall?<br />Read on and find out...</div><br /><div style="color: #274e13;"><b>You and your dog reliably and confidently do “blind tracks.” </b></div>This means someone else lays the track, no corner markers of any kind and then your tracklayer walks behind you and says absolutely nothing as you run the entire track.<br /><br /><div style="color: #274e13;"><b>Your dog confidently starts at all angles of legal approach to the flag.</b></div>Dogs learn what we teach them, and if we always approach a track so it is straight in front of the dog, then that’s what the dog thinks will always happen. I start angled approaches from the very beginning so I do not have to unteach something I should not have taught in the first place.<br /><div style="color: #274e13;"><br /></div><div style="color: #274e13;"><b>You and your dog reliably and confidently run tracks that are two hours old.</b></div>While most TD tracks are run at around 45 minutes, a slow team or two can push the later tracks up in age. You and your dog should be confident at two hours; if you were one of my students, I’d want you confident at 2.5 hours.<br /><br /><div style="color: #274e13;"><b>You can handle your dog while looking at the ground just in front of you, reading your dog’s behavior through the tracking line.</b></div>If it’s hard to get a blind track laid, then try this. Start your dog and look down at the ground. Follow and stop as the tension on the leash tells you to do and see how you do. This can be a very informative game.<br /><br /><div style="color: #274e13;"><b>Your dog reliably indicates articles in a way you can easily detect.</b></div>This means your dog stops himself when he gets to an article. It’s easy, if you lay the track yourself, to slow down or increase tension on the lead or move up the lead a bit or restrain your dog when the article nears. Easy but unhelpful as your dog isn’t learning to stop himself. So work hard not to indicate the article in anyway yourself, so your dog can learn to do his job himself.<br /><br /><div style="color: #274e13;"><b>Your dog works tracks enthusiastically without any food on the track itself.</b></div>Using food too much for too long can mean some dogs really don’t track well, or soon stop tracking, if food doesn’t appear on a regular basis in the track. While food can and should be used throughout training to reward increasingly specific behaviors, it should be used variably so your dog does not come to depend upon it in any way.<br /><div style="color: #274e13;"><br /></div><div style="color: #274e13;"><b>You can smoothly and briefly restrain your dog when he is on track or working a corner and he will lean into his harness and give you a good pull in the right direction.</b></div>At some point on a tracking test you are bound to get confused, second guess your dog and restrain him when he is correct. Luckily, you can train your dog to handle such moments using what I lovingly refer to as “dumb handler exercises.” This concept should be a part of every team’s development just as soon as the dog understands the task and is working enthusiastically.<br /><br /><div style="color: #274e13;"><b>You can follow your dog off track and, when he realizes he is off, he can refind the track and start off again with confidence.</b></div>Your dog leads and you follow, in tracking. So when your dog takes you off course, how quickly can you recognize his loss of scent signal and then, once you have planted your feet, how quickly can your dog problem-solve himself back to the track? Answer to both should be “quickly.”<br /><div style="color: #274e13;"><br /></div><div style="color: #274e13;"><b>Your dog can search for scent for at least three minutes without losing focus or enthusiasm.</b></div>This one can be difficult to set up - running acute turns up a hill can set up the situation - but whenever your dog is hunting for scent, relax and smile: this is a great variable for him to work. Try to keep your feet planted and your mouth shut - let him work. If he wanes, you can encourage, but until then, let him be.<br /><br /><div style="color: #274e13;"><b>You and your dog can confidently and successfully work a variety of cover and changes of cover including: sidewalks, bike and jogging paths, through openings between fields and from short to taller grass and back again.</b></div>Due to increasingly limited fields for tracking, the AKC loosened the rules around TD cover changes. So now, be ready for everything that is legal, and I would do some training on sand and gravel as well.<br /><br /><div style="color: #274e13;"><b>Your dog can sit in the car for hours, be taken out for walks and put back and still work the track confidently.</b></div>Some dogs are “rules” dogs - they believe what we teach them and are thrown off when things change. So if your dog is always tracked when taken out of the car at the tracking fields, he can be surprised when, at a test, he is taken out and then put back up again. Practicing this periodically can prevent this from causing confusion on test day.<br /><b><br /><span style="color: #274e13;">Your dog works confidently in heat, rain and everything in between.</span></b><br />If you are a weather wimp, expect your dog’s tracking to be weather dependent. As my mentor, Judge Lily Mummert, used to say to me when I moaned about tracking in a downpour. “Do you know what the weather will be test day?” And she was right. Again.<br /><br /><div style="color: #274e13;"><b>Your dog works confidently at all hours of the day.</b></div>As per above, if your dog only tracks in the early hours, he may be thrown off by a high noon start time on test day. Mix up tracking times during training so this never becomes an issue.<br /><br /><div style="color: #274e13;"><b>You know the AKC rules, understand what is and isn’t “guiding” and how you can legally help your dog when he or she loses the scent.</b></div>It’s your job, as the human, to know the rules. It’s a heartbreak when a team who is doing well fails because of human error. It happens, but it doesn’t have to. Get a copy of the AKC rules. Read them, then if you don’t understand, ask people who do until you do. You’ll be glad you did on test day.<br /><br /><div style="background-color: #274e13; color: white;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: #274e13; color: white; text-align: center;"><b>You can answer a confident YES to all of the above? </b><br /><b>You’re ready to test!</b></div>Sarah Wilson - My Smart Puppyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137219671417404985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749227740817174464.post-80856507819447389512010-02-22T10:16:00.006-05:002010-02-24T09:45:30.615-05:00Melissa-- Tracking: A Channel of Communication and ConnectionI stepped out into the sunshine, placed my steaming mug of tea and my book on the deck table, then let the dogs out to play. I turned to sit and watch the dogs do their wild morning running... but there was no running. All three dogs were engrossed in sniffing around a Jolly Ball in the yard right in front of the deck.<br /><br />Clearly someone, most likely a wild canine someone based on the level of interest, had been visiting during the night. The thorough sniffing continued for several minutes, then Milo began to slowly and purposefully move up the yard, obviously following a track footstep by footstep. He paused every yard or so, casting back and forth a few inches until he found what he was looking for, sniffed to verify that this was what he thought it was, then moved on. His tail wagged cheerfully while he moved, slowed when he paused to check his work, then signaled his satisfaction when he started up again.<br /><br />When Milo reached the crest of the hill, about 60 feet from me, he stopped, one paw raised, tail up and wagging, and stared at me. I smiled at him. He still stood and stared, tail wagging a bit faster. His request was clear-- "Follow me, Mom." As soon as I took a few steps in his direction, Milo turned, put his nose to the ground, and started again to slowly sniff his way along an unseen track, every now and then looking back to be sure I was following.<br /><br />I love the dance of communication between my dog and me that tracking facilitates. In today's tracking fun, there was no formal tracking; no harness, no flag, no tracking line, and I neither set up nor initiated the situation. Nature laid a track, and Milo initiated our session together. Even though it was in no way formal tracking practice, I learned to read my dog a little better and we both felt the joy of being in sync on a track. I know that will benefit our "real" tracking practice when the snow has melted and we can get out again with harness and line.<br /><br />I am an observer by nature, but I know I miss much that my dogs try to tell me. Tracking together provides yet another channel of communication, a channel that goes both ways, so that I better learn the language my dogs speak, they gain confidence in their ability to successfully communicate with me and in my responsiveness, and together our connection grows.Melissa Fischerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15617837463419485494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749227740817174464.post-30081732161230358842010-01-23T15:37:00.002-05:002011-06-06T12:04:50.056-04:00Sarah: Working Variables: Persistence<object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie"value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wgo8mxzecWU&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"></param><paramname="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><paramname="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embedsrc="http://www.youtube.com/v/wgo8mxzecWU&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always"allowfullscreen="true" width="560"height="340"></embed></object><br /> <br /><br />One of the most important skills your dog can have in the sport of AKC tracking is a calm persistence about seeking the track once it is lost. And in AKC tracking - especially at TDX and VST levels - the track <i>will </i>be lost.<br /><br />Having a dog who hunts for it independently and happily for five or more minutes makes refinding a lost track much more likely.<br /><br /><br />The challenge is - how do you create this situation without risking demotivating or stressing your dog? This is one way - play fetch in the snow. The toy disappears from sight making nose use key. Your dog is not in harness so stress is less likely to transfer to tracking and can be addressed away from the tracking fields.<br /><br />It's pretty simple: When you have snow, toss the toy and let your dog hunt for it. (This can be done in tall grass as well but snow is ideal as visual searching is all but impossible). As long as your dog is happily seeking - be silent. If your dog becomes stressed or gives up - go to the general area and encourage them to look for it by pointing to the area and looking downward yourself.<br /><br /><br />Even if you see the toy, do not point to it but excitedly encourage searching and then throw a praise party when your dog "discovers" it on their own.<br /><br />Don't have a toy motoivated dog? Toss a treat.<br /><br /><br />Now... while your dog is hunting observe yourself. How long can <em>you </em>tolerate this without becoming stressed? ....Relax.... Let your dog work.<br /><br /><br />Playing this game will increase your dog's searching behaviors and your tolerance for searching behavior - both are valuable assets in tracking.<br /><br /><br />Now please note two things: One, I thought she was on to the toy early but... I was wrong, oh well, in tracking get used to being wrong....and two, no command was given. This is not a "tracking exercise" but rather just an informal "keep trying" exercise.Sarah Wilson - My Smart Puppyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137219671417404985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749227740817174464.post-4402653309315473212009-11-10T08:59:00.013-05:002009-11-10T17:06:52.407-05:00Melissa: Restarting a Very Enthusiastic DogReady... Aim... FIRE!!!!!!!<br /><br />That's how Rowan used to approach tracking. His excitement would mount as we approached the flag, and when I told him "Go Track," he'd throw his head in the air, rear up on his hind legs, and CHARGE down the track... or where he thought the track might be, which was often not where it actually was.<br /><br />I was tracking on my own and didn't quite realize how unusual Rowan's style was until I tracked with Sarah one day and she handled Rowan. I'll never forget her astonished exclamations as she followed him down the first straight track she'd laid for him. When she got to the end of that track, she scooped him up and tucked him under her arm like a purse to carry him to the next track. <br /><br />How did this happen? As I said, I was tracking on my own and I was following training suggestions from a tracking book that said to place a flag at each corner. Of course I was enthusiastic with my praise when Rowan got to the article, so my boy quickly picked up that the fastest way to get that enthusiastic response from me was to run at top speed to the next flag. Yikes! Motivation was not his problem, but there was certainly no careful thought, or perhaps <span style="font-style: italic;">any</span> thought.<br /><br />After a long hiatus, I have just decided to restart Rowan in tracking, mostly because I love the challenge of trying to successfully communicate to him what the game actually is. Sarah always talks about the balance of working on motivation vs. precision. Well, Rowan is clearly not lacking in motivation, so I am focusing on precision. <br /><br />For now, I want to communicate to Rowan that the start flag is a cue to put his nose down and start carefully - thoughtfully - following the track. I'm trying to figure out a way to separate that as much as possible from all other aspects of tracking, since fixing a problem often is easiest when it is dealt with apart from the context in which it usually appears.<br /><br />To do this, I laid a simple, straight, short-stepped track with food in every other footstep. No article or even extra food at the end, since I don't want any excitement about an article or the end of the track. I want the track itself to be the most interesting thing for now. I didn't put a harness on Rowan, I didn't talk to him while he was tracking, and I didn't even follow him. <br /><br />As you can see in the video, by the fourth such track, Rowan's tail stub was at back level at the start of the track (indicating less excitement and more thoughtfulness for him), but went up part way along the track. This is just an experiment I'm doing, and I'll certainly adjust and shift as I go along, but for now my plan is to continue with this sort of tracking until Rowan is thoughtful and careful for the whole length of the track, then I'll add in some other variable-- perhaps following him.<br /><br />I'll keep you posted - this is absolutely a work in progress. <br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/IpNPeGMyRlc&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IpNPeGMyRlc&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Melissa Fischerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15617837463419485494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749227740817174464.post-67035323171809124722009-11-04T20:33:00.001-05:002009-11-04T20:36:43.834-05:00Sarah: Article Indication: Stationary or Retrieve?Been tracking like mad here in New Hampshire - both enjoying the glorious fall weather and hustling to get as much work done as possible before the heavy snows fall. Since I am developing Pip's article indication now, thought it might be a useful discussion.<br />
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There are two main styles of indication in AKC work: Stationary (downing or sitting at the article) or retrieving it. Here are the pluses and minuses of both:<br />
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<b>Stationary Indications</b><br />
Stationary indications are useful because, if you drop the line when your dog indicates, your line is probably lying right on the track itself. You get to move up to the dog, praise there and restart the dog - absolutely confident that the track is right where you are standing.<br />
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In training, this is a fairly straight-forward and easy thing to develop. Leave something mildly interesting in the articles and then reward with something MUCH better from your hand. Since I lure train a down on my pups early, I just walk up to the dog quickly as they nose the article - praising warmly as I come - then put my fist, treat in hand, on the article. I wait. The dogs generally nose the fist for a moment or two and then down. When they down, I smile, praise and open my fist. Yum!<br />
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If the dog doesn't offer a down I will gently say the word - as a support - never as a "correction" of any kind. Articles are fun. Articles are easy. We love articles!<br />
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As the dog progresses, I take all food out of or off the articles - moving to rubbing them with something prior to placement and then to nothing. Always rewarding with great delicious treats from my hands.<br />
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Pluses:<br />
<i>Easy for most handlers to build</i><br />
<i>Uses behavior most dogs have (or can have quickly)</i><br />
<i>You know exactly where the track is. </i><br />
<i>You get to move up the track to your dog.<br />
</i><br />
<br />
Minuses:<br />
<i>Doesn't work if dog isn't food motivated.</i><br />
<i>Doesn't raise many dogs energy much (which the playful retrieve can).</i><br />
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<b>Retrieving the Article</b><br />
Here the dog picks up the article and brings it back to the handler, where play or food is given as a reward. The dogs who I have seen do this, seem to really enjoy it. The play that follows revs them up and they go back to work with an excellent attitude.<br />
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Pluses<br />
<i>Fun for the dog.</i><br />
<br />
Minuses<br />
<i>Relatively few dogs have a reliable retrieve.</i><br />
<i>Even dogs with a reliable retrieve may not have them on every article used - metal, plastic, etc.<br />
</i><br />
<i>If handler isn't paying attention, can lose the track</i>.<br />
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Okay, okay - my bias is showing isn't it? I do a stationary indication for all the reasons above. Mostly because my German Shepherd Dogs just didn't want to play when they tracked. They were w-o-r-k-i-n-g - couldn't I see that? They played long and hard off the track but on the track? Not interested.<br />
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Pip, however, is a more open-minded gal - she takes her fun anyway she can find it. So I ask for stationary indications at the midtrack articles that are rewarded with food and then, after the last one, we have a Kong-on-a-rope-fling-a-thon which she adores.<br />
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There is no one way and no "right way" - only the way that works for you. As long as you are consistent and relaxed about it, encouraging your dog's every effort, chances are good your dog will develop a decent indication.<br />
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There a plenty of games and steps you can take along the way as well as approaches you can take with a track happy dog (Ask Melissa about that one!) I'll cover some in a future blog.Sarah Wilson - My Smart Puppyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137219671417404985noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749227740817174464.post-69936235413197522742009-10-11T18:27:00.001-04:002009-10-11T18:27:40.668-04:00Melissa: A Perfect DayCool and sunny, tall straw–colored grass bowing before the breeze--- this kind of day fills me with energy and wakes my mind. Milo and I spent the morning at the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation where there's a huge field by a large, mostly empty parking lot. <br /><br />I laid a track that went through the field, across the parking lot (rough pavement), and back into the field with a turn in the middle of the parking lot and six turns in the field, some before, some after the parking lot. I love trying to think up a track that's going to be both educational and fun; it's like working on a puzzle but way more exciting.<br /><br />Milo zipped through the tall grass, checked his work at the first corner by sniffing in each direction, then charged down the next leg. It's so cool to see him disappearing into the tall grass with just his wagging tail in sight. <br /><br />On the second corner I tried to trick him when I laid the track by walking past the corner about 15 feet, then backing up and making the turn. No problem. He followed the scent to the end, then circled around till he found the next leg. Not only was it not a problem, but it seemed like ordinary business for him. What a dog!<br /><br />Once Milo paused briefly to look closely at a beautiful, dewy web with a very large Orb Weaver spider hanging in it. Funny thing was, I had paused to look at it (and breathe a sigh of relief that I hadn't run into it) when I laid the track past it. Did he pause because I had and my scent was pooled there? Or did he pause because he saw the spider? I often wonder what goes on in that busy Beagle brain.<br /><br />Two articles were the ordinary glove or leather piece, one was new and different-- a tube of hand lotion. Milo wasn't expecting that, and he went right past the hand lotion, so I stopped him, showed it to him, then treated him on it as I do with our regular articles. I'll be interested in seeing if he "gets it" next time I use something new.<br /><br />The transition to pavement was no problem at all. Milo paused briefly, then pulled carefully but confidently along the track, even managing the turn in the parking lot with no difficulty. So much fun!!!! Tracking really is addictive, and all the more so when I can see progress from week to week.<br /><br />I can hardly wait for tomorrow. I'm not sure where I'll be tracking, but I know I'll work with different articles and probably with different surfaces. Wherever we go and whatever we focus on, it's always such a special time of connecting with my dog in his area of expertise. I've always loved being a student, and it's fascinating being a student of my dog.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIlbl0NRpyqTeT6Qg0zYfiLaHcSPSTTJZOs9KtEuAUx5DYJjmXkBqlzedneQ4H-Mh7WymWZsTIp79NDJrR7czl2Ve9EEz7YhkFudc3wp1g0Crk7plU26rkdfpG4OpR0d7c3OYurtNWVAi/s1600-h/IMG_3534.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIlbl0NRpyqTeT6Qg0zYfiLaHcSPSTTJZOs9KtEuAUx5DYJjmXkBqlzedneQ4H-Mh7WymWZsTIp79NDJrR7czl2Ve9EEz7YhkFudc3wp1g0Crk7plU26rkdfpG4OpR0d7c3OYurtNWVAi/s320/IMG_3534.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391472080794300146" /></a>Melissa Fischerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15617837463419485494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749227740817174464.post-28975013018872490292009-10-05T15:02:00.002-04:002009-10-07T16:14:19.019-04:00Sarah: A Few Tips on Starting a Dog<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wfqb71nvtF0&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wfqb71nvtF0&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
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Here is a tutorial on how I generally start new teams in AKC tracking - from tracking laying to handling the dog. This is Bounce's fourth track, second day in the fields. This is Noelle's first time handling. Both did a fine job as you will see.<br />
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Enjoy!<br />
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PS: Had some good questions about me always dropping food on the left side of the track. That was a side effect of my filming myself, camera in my right hand.<br />
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This would be a "mistake" in schutz training but in AKC things are less formal and it doesn't create any problems I have identified so I did not sweat it. Usually I drop evenly one side and the other.Sarah Wilson - My Smart Puppyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137219671417404985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749227740817174464.post-39424634976515908252009-10-01T13:19:00.003-04:002009-10-01T13:33:34.713-04:00Melissa: Oh No! Have I Wrecked My Dog?Milo is an amazingly talented tracking dog; Sarah earned two TD's with him before she gave him to me, and she says he's the most talented dog she's ever tracked with.<br /><br />I, on the other hand, am a novice at tracking and have been rather unsure of myself. Until recently I mostly tracked on my own, talking about what I was doing with Sarah, but keenly aware that I could be making many mistakes since I had no experienced eyes on me. And with Milo being a very sensitive boy, I was worried that I'd wreck him as a tracking dog.<br /><br />When I'd head out for a tracking session, I always had some anticipation, some vague idea of what I wanted to do, and a good serving of anxiety. Although I knew there were variables I should train for (remember my list of eighty-two variables?), I felt kind of helpless and like I was shooting in the dark. My dog knew how to track, but I know that tracking is a partnership and I felt like this end of the partnership was sadly unable to contribute in any constructive way.<br /><br />Because of that anxiety and lack of confidence, any time we ran into a challenge, I immediately fell prey to discouragement. And not surprisingly, I communicated some of that discouragement to Milo, who would then become stressed by such things as the line getting wrapped around tall weeds or me fumbling with the line and getting it under his legs. Or, my mind would go blank and I'd be sure the track went in a different direction and insist to Milo that he was wrong. Oh dear... not a helpful partner at such times.<br /><br />When Milo would become worried or stressed, I'd immediately take that as proof that I was wrecking his tracking ability and I'd become further discouraged, and so we'd spiral down.<br /><br />Now, not nearly all our tracks were like this, but enough that it was hindering progress and diminishing my joy in tracking. Fortunately nothing seemed to diminish Milo's enthusiasm for tracking--- he was born to use his nose. I also knew enough to do my best to cheer him on and praise him for every little success, even when we were having trouble, so in the end he always left the field wagging his tail.<br /><br />So, did I wreck my dog? Well, no, thankfully not, and now I'm learning how to approach our training in a much more constructive way, so we're growing as a team and enjoying the partnership.<br /><br />What made the difference?<br /><br />Starting with a plan for each session gives me something concrete to aim for, so I no longer feel like I'm shooting in the dark. I have two or three factors that I want to work on, so I lay my tracks in a way that will help me focus on those variables. Also, I look at "difficulties" that arise as opportunities to learn, and since I know I can address a difficulty we encounter today in tomorrow's tracking session, I don't feel overwhelmed or lost. Knowing that challenges are helpful and even necessary for the learning process enables me to welcome them rather than crumble before them.<br /><br />Milo's and my communication is growing and so is our trust in each other. I now head out for a tracking session with a lot of anticipation, a fairly clear plan of what I want to address, and a great deal of confidence in my dog's ability to follow the track and to learn.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXQOM3OOWRW-u9-LNtb-0-MmuKckiqw8inWcxaAt__xhx6_OSA7AayDNvuxml6AWZqyEDdiw8lMPSpNYkT2QQaioojBKzynN6HR29R2EjCCQrS9NA05n6U5exKjkGkkPRUGcNphAuu1Ov/s1600-h/0930091203a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXQOM3OOWRW-u9-LNtb-0-MmuKckiqw8inWcxaAt__xhx6_OSA7AayDNvuxml6AWZqyEDdiw8lMPSpNYkT2QQaioojBKzynN6HR29R2EjCCQrS9NA05n6U5exKjkGkkPRUGcNphAuu1Ov/s320/0930091203a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387682781635216850" /></a>Melissa Fischerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15617837463419485494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749227740817174464.post-24304564705391129032009-09-28T19:17:00.004-04:002009-09-28T19:39:54.356-04:00Sarah: What Happened?!The last workout I did with Pip, just before leaving to teach in Colorado, was a typical day out tracking meaning it made me cock my head and think, "Huh?"<br /><br />Lately, I've been focusing on building Pip's drive for the game. That particular day the fields were lush and green, it had rained the day before, the air was cool -- it was, in all ways, a perfect day to track.<br /><br />I had laid out three "L"s which could be clearly seen. As I walked Pip through the knee high cover, she pulled hard along my path. Things looked good!<br /><br />Pausing near the start flag, as we always do, I harnessed her up and, anticipating what fun we were about to have, happily told her, "Track!" She... ate grass.<br /><br />Now, grass eating is often a sign of stress in a dog - doubt, confusion. I paused. "Huh?" Add to this that Pip also eats more grass than your average Holstein so maybe a cigar was just a cigar and this was tasty grass.<br /><br />In a nice, relaxed, happy voice I encouraged her onward. I'd rather risk rewarding the unwanted than stressing her about the sport. Her motivation just wasn't that deep yet (clearly) that I could quibble over details.<br /><br />After a few moments, she got going and did a fine job. Not stellar but not terrible. What she did seem to enjoy was the hunks of fresh tuna in the tupperware hidden along the track. (And no, don't go out and buy tuna for your dog - Brian had gone fishing with friends and landed one and there is only so much tuna anyone can or should eat in a week. Pip was the happy recipient of the leftovers.)<br /><br />Then off I went to Colorado, which means there was two weeks between workouts.<br /><br />Today, I decided to be conservative. The workout was just three starts with straight legs. I had no idea what dog would show up in the fields today but I was concerned that if she had been stressed last time that a break in practice might have set her back a bit.<br /><br />Pausing near the start flag, as we always do, I harnessed her up and, anticipating that she might stall or be distracted, happily told her, "Track!" She... put her nose down and TOOK OFF!<br /><br />She worked quickly and confidently down the track to the first article. I rewarded her but before I could get back up she was off again. She tracked the legs between tracks, she hunted those corners briefly and effectively - she was on fire. Normally, I would stop a dog after the article and walk her to the next flag but stop a dog who is JOYFULLY making a giant leap forward? Not on your life!<br /><br />As she tracked and I laughed, I also shook my head. This is one of the things I just love about tracking. All dog training is really just your best guess applied, assessed and adjusted. But in the sport of tracking that is never more clear.<br /><br />I have no idea what happened to my dog exactly. Maybe the tuna was truly inspirational. Maybe taking a break helped her. Maybe the brandy new harness and two-tone 40' tracking line I got her had magical powers. ;) Who the heck knows. All I know is, whoever this dog is, can I keep her?Sarah Wilson - My Smart Puppyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137219671417404985noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749227740817174464.post-78234569648342264942009-09-11T10:53:00.003-04:002009-09-11T21:37:52.252-04:00Melissa: Track for me todayAhhh... misty, off-and-on-rainy, cool... a perfect day for tracking. Being outside in the rain always brings back fun memories of playing on rainy days with my siblings. Today I'm going to be visiting a friend who lives an hour from here in beautiful farmland, and will pass some excellent fields I've tracked in before. A great day to take Milo and enjoy an afternoon in the fields. Except...<br /><br />He came up lame yesterday evening and wasn't weight-bearing at all on his left front for a few hours. I called the vet and they said to wait until this morning, then take him in if he was still off it, so I iced it last night, put him on crate rest, and leash walked him when he needed to go out. Fortunately he's walking normally this morning, but I'm going to give him at least today to rest it and heal fully from whatever was wrong. Maybe it was just a bee sting, but I don't want to push him if it was any kind of soft tissue injury, so no tracking for today. Bummer!<br /><br />I'll visit my friend, walk one of my other dogs in the field, catch up on some work I need to do (there's always plenty of that), and have some quality lap time with Milo.<br /><br />So please, track for me today then tell me how it goes, so I can enjoy tracking through your words.Melissa Fischerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15617837463419485494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749227740817174464.post-88020216114615593982009-09-09T19:40:00.000-04:002009-09-09T19:40:18.625-04:00Map Making #1: Two Points Define a Line<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3D-BflAQScdOUNL1dHM_NIkEmKr7bYCTAby-GWAILmBDGEht2w_c9eqwJL5klQs_e7DcW4DnrPX2LMP-mFQMaMbHkQhcWqdSBwX7rFyIAhMqr94S1XbNt1mwBaR7xruE2G_O5gq10gako/s1600-h/0909091545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3D-BflAQScdOUNL1dHM_NIkEmKr7bYCTAby-GWAILmBDGEht2w_c9eqwJL5klQs_e7DcW4DnrPX2LMP-mFQMaMbHkQhcWqdSBwX7rFyIAhMqr94S1XbNt1mwBaR7xruE2G_O5gq10gako/s200/0909091545.jpg" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZcWopQxfv9uMqlxBOPOVp6cJ_1MvgRuWUMAGaq_QeOcLaU69oxOSGDQXp82hTsd2RTmzGCNwhewsEEoojioFVKUzwNCv6VLPpgRGloOX1EWYaqBr3JZUDbSrRAhH_QygIJp2oMmTp6E1h/s1600-h/0909091545a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZcWopQxfv9uMqlxBOPOVp6cJ_1MvgRuWUMAGaq_QeOcLaU69oxOSGDQXp82hTsd2RTmzGCNwhewsEEoojioFVKUzwNCv6VLPpgRGloOX1EWYaqBr3JZUDbSrRAhH_QygIJp2oMmTp6E1h/s200/0909091545a.jpg" /></a>In this sport, to reach your team's full potential you must keep records, and the record you keep in tracking is a map. The first key concept? That two points are required to define a line.<br />
<br />
<b>TWO</b> points. <br />
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TWO <b>stationary</b> points. Learned this the hard way when, years ago, I used a parked car as a line up point. It did not stay parked.<br />
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TWO stationary points that are a <b>good distance apart</b>. The bigger the distance apart, the better the definition of your track. (The pix above are pretty close together, but you can still see how it is both obvious when they are lined up and when they are not.) Next time you're walking along, pick two things ahead of you and line up so one thing is in front of the other. I frequently use street lights, signage, trees, tufts of grass etc. Now, walk toward the object closest to you, the one in front. Take a big step to one side. Now the objects aren't lined up anymore, correct? That is how you know you are off the track. But there is more...<br />
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TWO stationary points that are a good distance apart and that are <b>in front of you</b>. Having now taught a few seminars and many students, I have found this to be a common newbie mistake. They pick a point in front of and one behind them, thinking that this way they will walk along the line. Nope. The two points must in in front so you can line them up properly.<br />
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TWO stationary points that are a good distance apart and that are in front of you <b>that are unique</b>. Ooo, this one is a toughy, at least for me. I get so focused on laying my track that I line up a distant tree with that fabulous bunch of Queen Anne's Lace. Perfect! Only to realize when I get to the start flag with my dog that the field is FILLED with Queen Anne's Lace!<br />
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Drat!<br />
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So now you have a basic but fundamental principle of tracking under your belt - that when making a map of your track, you need two stationary, unique points in front of you that you can line up. Sounds easy enough, yes?<br />
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In theory.<br />
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You might want to start off with making some maps of tracks - leaving articles behind and then returning later to refind everything without your dog. This allows you to learn without risking any canine confusion.<br />
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Getting this worked out will make you a better coach for your dog and you will move forward with more confidence and clarity. Go track!Sarah Wilson - My Smart Puppyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137219671417404985noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749227740817174464.post-20668094181198531302009-09-08T15:47:00.014-04:002009-09-09T07:10:52.055-04:00Map Maker, Map Maker, Make me a MapWhen I first started tracking, Sarah impressed on me the importance of making a map. I made maps for a while, then decided it was a hassle, and had to find out the hard way that she was right. It really is true (at least for me) that "<i>The faintest ink is more powerful than the strongest memory.</i>"<br />
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When I neglect to make a map, I am sure to forget where I laid the track or where I placed articles. Milo doesn't generally need help finding the track, so that's not a issue with him, but he is inclined to skip over articles as if they are unwanted litter on the track. And since he tracks with such enthusiasm, we can be long past the article before I realize he's skipped over it. Doing that for a while caused Milo to develop a habit of ignoring articles, which caused me to become a bit discouraged.<br />
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Now that I'm back into map-making, I really enjoy it and use my maps to help me plan my track, to help me remember it (just the act of drawing it out helps me remember, plus I can review it before running a track in a training session), and to have a record of what we've practiced and how Milo did. Since I know when Milo's approaching an article, I can insist he stop and indicate it, then reward him richly, so he learns that articles are worth his attention.<br />
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As Sarah mentioned in her last post, I came up with a list of over fifty variables to train for (eighty-two so far, to be exact), and by looking back at my tracking journal of maps and notes, I can see what we've worked on so far. I also find it both satisfying and motivating to have a journal filling up with my maps. <br />
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Here's a track I did with Milo in July:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUgoVJmYAeeUaKY040w5aZ-biixIvsXRyOFo51Epyw9wtCbVg8vcI48qCNzu5ziVEK1UJBd7_p8Dssqr4VM06M_A3-NbYt8vQ1PGFlAyqYG6ybyvLro0PHeBaazdW4_qdZJOWDAsNnQkj/s1600-h/Milo's+track+Burger+Hill+Park+071109.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379195535835150994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUgoVJmYAeeUaKY040w5aZ-biixIvsXRyOFo51Epyw9wtCbVg8vcI48qCNzu5ziVEK1UJBd7_p8Dssqr4VM06M_A3-NbYt8vQ1PGFlAyqYG6ybyvLro0PHeBaazdW4_qdZJOWDAsNnQkj/s320/Milo's+track+Burger+Hill+Park+071109.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 238px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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And here's what I did with him today, along with my plans and notes:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sXxw4b8Y3eAA3OQB1qulcbHatDXsrH75cm3IyPo77HMR5rsAOpY41yyHQGAuYI0TbANiJmrB4oM4uBWlqnfW3-BncRRaOmKr95_pJuiFkD5ioJbnEL5I3q0fkKQavdvPmRCppjs6XmKD/s1600-h/Milo+track+090809.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379202375828310498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sXxw4b8Y3eAA3OQB1qulcbHatDXsrH75cm3IyPo77HMR5rsAOpY41yyHQGAuYI0TbANiJmrB4oM4uBWlqnfW3-BncRRaOmKr95_pJuiFkD5ioJbnEL5I3q0fkKQavdvPmRCppjs6XmKD/s320/Milo+track+090809.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 243px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYDwiJhHG64rNknil9wkY7zNGyi9zEjJYDZs9xDMuQwXFOnLoUPuULfL80G1QbzoUnDLHsZTjPrvmyRcjIMWEO23XdtgJuo1BYW7qVaRMRjuVQorr1Td21_vGL6HBalebNzBSTPqaMKfO/s1600-h/Tracking+notes+090809.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379203883418628754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYDwiJhHG64rNknil9wkY7zNGyi9zEjJYDZs9xDMuQwXFOnLoUPuULfL80G1QbzoUnDLHsZTjPrvmyRcjIMWEO23XdtgJuo1BYW7qVaRMRjuVQorr1Td21_vGL6HBalebNzBSTPqaMKfO/s320/Tracking+notes+090809.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 242px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a>Melissa Fischerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15617837463419485494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749227740817174464.post-30155625350666306032009-09-07T08:44:00.002-04:002009-09-07T08:46:05.956-04:00Sarah: How to Develop a Plan<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In all areas of life, having a plan makes success more likely. Tracking is no exception. This is a sport of endless variables, so once you learn how to develop a tracking plan for the day, you will have no issues with this concept. A few of the variables to consider are:</div><ul style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><li>Track age</li>
<li>Topography - hills, ditches, mowed paths</li>
<li>Cover - length, changes in, variety of</li>
<li>Weather - rain, drizzle, dry, humidity, heat, cold</li>
<li>Wind direction - into, away from, across<br />
</li>
<li>Articles - indication, type, placement</li>
<li>Starts - angle of, direction of, your behavior at</li>
<li>Corners - obtuse, 90 degree, all directions, on, across and at hills, changes of cover, etc. <br />
</li>
<li>"Dumb handler" exercises - "immunizing" your dog against fumbling, bumbling and error</li>
<li>Distractions - people following, people talking, other animals near by </li>
<li>Crosstracks of all sorts - "dirty" fields. <br />
</li>
<li>Losing the track<br />
</li>
<li>Working blind tracks</li>
</ul><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The list goes on. When I asked Melissa to list all the variables she could think of for TD work, she came up with over fifty. I'd call that a good beginning.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
When contemplating your plan of action keep this in mind: Most AKC teams fail at the start or the first turn. So what is my favorite sort of tracking workout? Stacked "L's" Meaning I lay three shorter tracks, each one presenting a different puzzle or exercise to the dog. If I am working hill starts, I'll might lay one "L" starting up hill, the next starting down and the last across.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
This is also why keeping a list of your maps is critical. That is the only way you can "check your work" and see if you really have worked everything you wanted to prior to a test.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
Getting in the habit of developing a plan each and every time you enter the fields is one of the ways to ensure success.</div>Sarah Wilson - My Smart Puppyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137219671417404985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749227740817174464.post-7936663389271257632009-09-05T18:28:00.012-04:002009-09-07T08:48:15.033-04:00Melissa: A Plan Applied<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial;">Every time I track with Sarah, she asks me beforehand what I’m planning to work on that day. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial;"><br />
Hmmm… I used to just lay a track then run it without much thought, other than some vague hope that my dog would do well following the track and indicating the articles. As with many other educational situations, the lack of a plan usually led to a lack of progress or, at best, limited progress with some confusion and frustration thrown in.<br />
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<span style="font-family: arial;">Today I found a new place to track—Val-Kill—the Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site, that has a huge field that is currently sprinkled with big round hay bales. I’ve been shy about trying new places, but I asked a ranger and was told that on-leash dog walking on the land is fine. Hurray! A beautiful place to track not far from home!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial;"><br />
As I gathered my gear so I could lay the track, I suddenly heard Sarah’s words echoing in my mind: “<i>What’s your plan for today?</i>” </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial;"><br />
I paused and thought about our last track. Remembering that Milo had had a hard time at the start, perhaps because we had almost started then I stopped to get a glove, I decided to pretend to be confused and fumbling at the start flag. I want him to learn to overlook my confusion and still start the track with confidence, especially since I'm likely to be nervous and fumbling on test day.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial;"><br />
Then I figured I’d lay at least one leg along the side of a hill, which would cause the scent to flow downhill from the track in the hopes that Milo would get pulled off the track and have to find it again.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial;"><br />
Finally, because the big round bales were right there, I planned to walk between some that were close together. Milo sometimes gets a bit stressed in close quarters and new situations, so I like to give him positive experiences with walking through narrow spaces, especially since I’d like to work toward a VST with him.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial;"><br />
I laid my track, let it age, then ran it with Milo. He did FABULOUSLY! I fumbled and acted confused at the start flag, and he just waited for me to get my act together and tell him to “Go Track,” which he then did with confidence.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial;"><br />
On the hillside, he stuck right to the track, never drifting downhill at all. Good for him, though we didn’t accomplish my goal of trying to get him to stray from the track and need to refind it.</div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 85%;">At the passages between the bales, Milo slowed down and went forward cautiously, but he never entertained the thought of stopping.What a good boy and what a good worker!</span><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4ATx_R4CvYT6U8E2DST9q0v53QKYOlvG5QSXkwTXJ6sgNT1N_AkfAGCxGH-a7Oy4NbPCvouvSN74M0ZVLW4niyu2qByMuI-uATbCnFdudCNhC0NZ2FHwCY8pG5DEy30bDFQitq-Ab1Cj/s1600-h/0813081221+resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4ATx_R4CvYT6U8E2DST9q0v53QKYOlvG5QSXkwTXJ6sgNT1N_AkfAGCxGH-a7Oy4NbPCvouvSN74M0ZVLW4niyu2qByMuI-uATbCnFdudCNhC0NZ2FHwCY8pG5DEy30bDFQitq-Ab1Cj/s320/0813081221+resized.jpg" /></a></div>Melissa Fischerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15617837463419485494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749227740817174464.post-9838055835102235162009-09-04T20:07:00.006-04:002009-09-04T20:59:14.490-04:00Sarah: Milo Works Acute Turns<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-Ha8b52sa2s&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-Ha8b52sa2s&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><div style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:small;">In AKC tracking, there is an extremely high likelihood you and your dog will be lost at some point during a TDX test. At over 800 yards long and at least 3 hours old it is challenging enough but I have seen TDX tracks go in and out of woods, over streams, across sand and gravel, over and along roads and much more. Part of the fun of TDX work is the diversity and demands of it.</span></div><div style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:small;">But while teams are working all the other variables, it is easy to forget that working through being lost is as important a team skill as handling a road crossing or a change of cover. My mentor, Lily Mummert, advised that a dog should be able to search calmly, productively and independently for 5-10 minutes. There are many ways to build this drive. I present problems to the dog as opportunities well worth working through.<br /></span></div><div style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:small;">With advanced dogs like Milo, who have tons of drive to track and plenty of experience under their olfactory belts, it can be a bit of a challenge to get them lost and then it is a whole other skill set, as a handler, to allow them to figure things out without giving them any "hints" about where the track goes.</span></div><div style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:small;">"Hints" include praising the dog when he is over the track and being silent when he is off it, stepping with him immediately when he is right, stopping at the corner instead of waiting for your dog to indicates scent loss, holding your breath and then releasing it when the dog is over or investigating the track... the list goes on.</span></div><div style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:small;">All of these things are absolutely deadly on test day.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:small;">To proof against all this, one thing is to do acute turns, which is exactly what I did here. Enjoy the video - and feel free to ask questions.<br /></span></div>Sarah Wilson - My Smart Puppyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137219671417404985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749227740817174464.post-10470537502893136082009-09-04T11:14:00.003-04:002009-09-04T11:31:03.592-04:00Melissa: A Morning Track<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I stop and look. The huge field stretches before me, silvery-blue from the heavy dew, crystal drops poised on every blade of grass. The stalks all bend in graceful arcs under the weight and, when touched, drop the clean, clear water onto my shoes and pants. Soon I’ll be soaked to the knees, but I don’t care.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tracking, for me, is not only a sport but also a meditative pastime. When I step into a field, I slip from the past and future fully into the present. Somehow, gazing over a field captures my thoughts and emotions and fills me full as I look and breathe.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love laying tracks, the longer the better. I focus on the distant view when I pick two points to guide me in a straight line for each leg. Walking the leg, I then notice what’s near me–spider webs, the rustling of small animals, the details of terrain I would normally go around—swampy areas, stone walls—and thus see nature I might otherwise miss. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today, though, Sarah has laid a track for Milo and me, and in the dewy grass the track shows bright green—not exactly a blind track, but still very good practice. Milo won’t pay attention to the green; he works with his nose.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We start out, and again, all else drops aside, I am fully in the moment, in sync with my dog. Milo leans into the harness, tail wagging joyfully, and I follow. He hesitates, I stop, waiting and handling the line while he checks to be sure he’s on the track. Soon he pulls forward again and I follow. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My attention almost completely on my dog, I notice his every movement, every bob of his head, every brief slowing of pace. I’m a beginner, so I don’t always know how to respond, but each time I track, I read Milo more clearly and feel a bit more confident. For me, there’s no comparable experience, and as we finish the track, I’m brimming with the good feeling of being in close partnership with my dog and in close communion with the beauty of nature.</span></div>Melissa Fischerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15617837463419485494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1749227740817174464.post-83403225666946534022009-09-02T15:52:00.001-04:002009-09-04T11:31:30.260-04:00Sarah: Getting Pip to Play by My Rules<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">AKC tracking dogs tend to fall into one of two categories: Track-focused (Milo) or Article-focused (Pip). A track focused dog loves tracking for tracking sake, blissfully blowing over articles as if they are so much junk littering the track. The job with them is to make the articles relevant.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The majority of the dogs I have trained have tended to this.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pip is cut from a different cloth. She loves the articles. For her, the track is something that may or may not help her on the way to her goal: the article. My job with her is to make the track an interesting place. My first thought was to use food - freeze-dried lung. But lung was too strongly scented, it caused her to duck downwind and then cone back up to the food.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Okay... so I moved to clicker work - tossing food in front of her. And that helped - it usually does - but it didn't seem to change her mind about the track much and, left to her own devices, she would stand, nose up, air scenting for the article and then head for it in a straight line - track or no track under her feet.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back to the drawing board we go.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, the good news about my girl is that she is both fabulously food-focused and delightfully play-driven. I decided to use both forces in my new approach.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I shortened the track way down. I used two small tupperware containers with her breakfast in them. And I dug out Pip's all-time, bar-none, best-thing-in-the-world toy - a floating kong on a rope. I stuffed it in a glove with a bit of the rope sticking out of it. I laid the track with short steps, I left the tupperware lid downward in the track, tucked into the grass so nothing was exposed. Along the way I dropped single pieces of kibble. At the end, I deposited the glovekong.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With Pip on a short lead, I worked her down the track. Gently refocusing her onto the track with a movement of my fingers should she start to work the airwaves nose up. It took two tracks (and two meals) and two games of fetch that kong for her to suddenly begin to grasp the THRILL that is staying on the track.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That was 10 days ago. Yesterday, when she lost a turn at the crest of a knoll, she cast around and barked her frustration. Excellent! She also pulled so hard she had her front feet off the ground for a few steps. Not ideal but I like the commitment. NOW I can start working on details of the work. As with all training, it is a balance between motivation and precision. Without motivation, you cannot ask for (or get) more precision. I never know what is ahead in this sport, but I know now that we are better equipped as a team to move forward, now that she sees the point of both the track and the articles.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span> </div>Sarah Wilson - My Smart Puppyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137219671417404985noreply@blogger.com2