I am wondering what the best position is for the dog to be in, when indicating articles. Should he have the article right between his paws.. lay a little bit behind the item.. place his head flat on the ground looking at the item.. etc?

Often when I ask tracking questions the answer may vary depending on if I plan to do Shc or AKC tracking.. so what would the best position be for both? I would like to get involved in the more precise of the two, however (not quite sure which one that is though. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> )

P.S. I searched old posts and found info on "how to" but nothing on "what" proper indication is. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

It doesn't matter as long as the dog is close. Anywhere you can see them when the dog indicates. The problem with some dogs is lying right on top of them. Then you may have to move the dog to find them.

In schutzhund the position will make a difference along with the speed the dog indicates the article, and attitude once down at the article. The dog should be straight with the article between the front legs in the down position. The dog should also be calm and confident (not moving around or uneasy). If the dog is crocked on the articles or downs prematurely before the article all these will affect your score. If you’re going for a V (96-100 pts) most everything needs to be perfect. If you are just wanting to make a title don't stress it. A lot will depend on your judge. In Sch 1 and 2 each article is worth 10 points for a total of 20 pts ( 2 articles). In Sch three you have 3 articles each worth 7, 7 and 6 for total of 20 points. Again depending on the judge, conditions, and level of the trail all this will effect you score.

--Chet

OK, so... first off from here, my dog is not pure (mix of Rott/Shep). That being said am I even eligable to compete in Shz with this dog? Also she is only about fifty pounds, so when she indicates on a leather glove her paws do touch it a little bit. If not she will be either behind the article (so as not to touch it) or not in a "sphinx like" down position (flopped over and relaxed thereby able to spread her front paws a bit more). So now my question evolves.. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> ..is it ok if she touches when the article is between her paws, as long as she does not lay right on top of it, because of her smaller body structure? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

BTW.. I may just work for titles but would like to compete in Shz down the road, therefore I would like to learn as much as possible about the sport and ways to train and troubleshoot problems now. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

As always.. thanx for the help! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Hey, you can compete in schutzhund with a mix breed. If I were you I would just learn through training. If your dog indicates the articles and can make turns you will pass tracking. Try and locate some people who train, or a good club to help perfect things. Since you have a mix breed, and your wanting to learn the sport I think a judge will see this and keep this in mind when you trial your dog. I encourage you to keep at it as the sport needs new people. If you live far away from other trainers try and set up training at least once a month to go a learn from someone. See how to teach articles. Then work a few weeks on what you learned. Go back and learn the next step. Some teach them on the track and others teach them off the track. I prefer on the track. But, the point is there are several ways that are good, and the best way is to learn from someone who has a method that works for them and they have had success. I would Imagine if your dog was crocked and a little off or on top of an article, but still indicates it you would get 5-7 points each article (10-14 total). Depending on how the dog did at the corners and how dedicated focused and precise it is in the track will make up the rest of your points.

-good luck..keep at it Chet

Chet, I have a question for you: My 15 week GSD pup is doing ok on scent pad stuff (my yard is too small to even do baby tracks. He is also doing ok with finding dropped kibble on my postage stamp sized yard. I can't start doing footstep stuff until next week (final vaccinations). After next week, should I start on park type fgrass (have a pretty good place that's empty in the mornings) or would you start on plowed dirt fields? I'm thinking, one or the other at the beginning, then when he gets going, switching back & forth. I made lots of mistakes with my previous dogs, so I want to start this one out right <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I didn't mean to post my question only to Chet, would appreciate anyones' advise.

Susan,

I started on grass. I liked that it was not too wet after a rain fall like dirt would be. I started late last fall and now (this spring) I am moving onto dirt because my dog will follow a track on grass (one variable at a time). Because I was kicking in my tracks on the grass I was able to see them easily enough. I don't know if it REALLY matters "sart on this or start on that" but just thought I'd let you know that grass did in fact work for me. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I agree with bradly, keep it easy on nice grass. look for "virgin" grass not a lot of disturbance. Make sure you know where your track is. After a great many tracks and the dog is doing well, go to different sufaces, dirt, hay or what ever you have.

Thanks guys! I'm def going to start on grass & stay there until he gets confident. I'm lucky,, have a landscaper friend who has given me about a ton of little flags. Hopefully, I won't lose the track. But in the begfinnning, it's just going to be easy straight food in each footstep stuff.