Okay, so now that I live with Conan, I am able to train with him a lot more. This morning I laid our first track. It started with a scent pad in the beginning, and then went for about five or six feet to another scent pad and a big pile of treats. Zuke's Mini Naturals are the perfect tracking treat, I think. Not only are they Conan's favorite thing ever, they blend in nicely so even I had a hard time seeing them.

I pointed out some of the ones in the scent pad, and then pointed out the next three steps out of the scent pad. After that it was all over. Conan was on it like he'd been tracking his whole life! I thought I would have to stand next to him and point some out the entire time, but I didn't. I was able to let the leash go loose and stand behind as he lead me down the track. He lost it once for about two seconds and then found it and was back on again.

It was amazing. I officially love tracking!!! And he used his nose the whole time. I don't even think he looked with his eyes. That nose was sniffing hard and a mile a minute.

These are the moments that make you so proud!

Just thought I'd share

Congratulations! It is great when you see something "click" in the training :-) Happy tracking!

Thanks Ingrid!! I'm definitely going to make it something that happens often

Katie, How very cool! I'm sure Conan is thrilled as well.

Now you're hooked!

Want me to send you some deer blood so you can show us how to do it?

Congrats!

Thanks! I think he had a lot of fun. My only problem was trying to make the end of it fun and exciting, because he just kept looking for more food. But I'll keep trying.

Michael, you're way ahead of us! I think it should be the other way around, I need tips from you!

I'll definitely try and get video the next time because I'm sure I need some constructive criticism

Way to go Conan! I just laid my first track for Dom this Sunday and also caught the tracking bug! He did great despite the fact that someone just spread MANURE all over the field that the club normally uses for tracking. Talk about distractions! Sheesh!

I too am game for pointers!

Isn't it a blast!? I didn't think I would like it as much as I do. I don't really enjoy watching FST, but doing it is something else entirely!

Me too! I wasnt very interested in tracking till we actually tried it! And most importantly, Dom seems to really enjoy it!

Conan seems to love it too. He was so focused on finding food I couldn't really reward him afterwards so I'm going to have to figure that out haha.