Tracking trainers???

R

ruckusluvr

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where can I find info on teaching a dog tracking? I think it would be really need to do search and rescue with Lynn. I think she has the drive! She has one heck of a nose on her like I have never seen.
do you consult a professional? I have never heard of a tracking trainer, but I am pretty sure out here in the country where I live I can find someone who trains sent hounds for hunting. Would that be where to start with the tracking? or is tracking people completely different from tracking wildlife?
 
I had done a little tracking and search and rescue workshops with my German Shepherd, it was amazing and such a treat for the dog.
There are a hundred good books on it, and MANY different ways/versions of tracking...
with my GSD I started with what they use for Schutzhund competition, but then changed to air scenting for search and rescue.

For fun you can just start with foot prints in the sand or grass, where you lay a track first, out of the dogs sight... then into each deep heel inprint I put a tiny piece of hotdog in it, and see the dog's nose at work ;) You want to make sure that the dog doesn't overshoot, and gets EACh footstep.. and when you lay the track put the steps very much in FRONT of each other instead of too much side by side... that comes later lol

The GSD also suprised me by tracking objects for me that I 'lost' at the track which he pointed out by sitting in front of it... he knew before I did how it is done, I swear... Now I don't know if you will get that ease of response with a Sheltie... but I may try it msyelf to see, lol

I always found tracking is way MORE for judges etc, so that humans can see where the invisible tracks lay and they measure the dog on how precise they track only so that they get it, lol

But I only did VERY, VERY novice stuff, you definately want to find people who are more experienced at this than I am ;)
I never went to any trials but I can tell you my dog LOVED it, and it gave him purpose, it is great to see working dogs work!!!!
 
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