My dog has some issues with articles on the track. There are times he will not indicate and then when he does indicate he wants to CHARGE out of the down position. What can I do?

It is critical that the dog know the DOWN exercise 110% before he is trained. If a new handler tries to train the down at the article on the track, the dog will develop avoidance to the articles. These dogs will intentionally walk over articles. So before you start tracking - go out and practice "random downs" while walking and playing with your dog. When the dog will do random downs under distraction (off the track) then it is ready to add the down on the articles on the track.

When dogs charge off an article it is important for the handler to remain calm at the article. He needs to stand there like he is not concerned in the least with what is going on and he needs to act like there is not a hurry in the world. He should get a piece of food in his hand before he tells the dog to track again. When he gives the track command he should bend over the dog and toss a piece of food (something the dog really really likes) about 12 inches in front of the dog’s nose as he gives the track command.

It is OK for the dog to know that this food comes from you. In addition, you cannot place the food that close to the article because the dog will smell it when he is laying on the article.

Once the dog learns that he will always have a piece of meat tossed close to the article (after the down and when told to track again) he will stop forging down the track. You will find that he waits for the food and then goes. You can work food at the articles just like you work food on the track. In the beginning it should be at every article, but as time passes the food is on every other article and then every third article and then on every 6th article. Stagger when you give the dog food at article. This will increase focus and stop anticipation.