May 19, 2011
Can you train a dog in footstep tracking and then move to TTD?
Full Question:
I am interested in tracking and my question is that is it your opinion that you cannot teach a dog to track for ACK titles and then move on to search and rescue work? Meaning that in teaching footstep tracking the dog is unable to or confused to be taught tracking thru drive? I haven't started any type of tracking yet. I am trying to gather as much info as possible. I would like to compete in AKC tracking and then move on to S&R but from reading your articles this sounds like it isn't the way to do it. Basically I have to choose which I want more???Second question, I am also researching Schutzhund for possible involvement in the future. For a beginner do you recommend your video 1st steps of bite training to help with my research and further understanding and learning on the subject. I am very interested in dog behavior and understanding the best way to motivationally train them. I was really interested in the mention of your describing drives and drive thresholds in the video.
Ed's Answer:
You can do foot step tracking for food and then move on to tracking though drive as long as you do not apply any force in the foot step tracking. The goal of AKC tracking is just to get to the end of the track. Its not a precise as Schutzhund so the need for force is not there.
So the answer is yes you can do this. My recommendations is to look at both styles and then use what works for you. Frankly I like Foot step tracking for your dogs under a year. The motivation from the food works well and young dogs require way more repetition than older dogs.
If you want to learn and see the drives of work for Schutzhund get The First Steps of Bite Training and The First Steps of Defense. These are not all that is needed for Schutzhund, but they are the foundation work, (which in my opinion is the most important).
So the answer is yes you can do this. My recommendations is to look at both styles and then use what works for you. Frankly I like Foot step tracking for your dogs under a year. The motivation from the food works well and young dogs require way more repetition than older dogs.
If you want to learn and see the drives of work for Schutzhund get The First Steps of Bite Training and The First Steps of Defense. These are not all that is needed for Schutzhund, but they are the foundation work, (which in my opinion is the most important).
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