 Learning to track in the snow?
#304544 - 11/25/2010 08:50 PM |
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So I really want to get Faroh started with the tracking. It's one of my favorite things to do with a dog, and used to track with Toro quite a bit. However, we didn't do it much in the snow, and I certainly didn't start him off on frozen ground.
Faroh ALWAYS has his nose to the ground, and I know he will be a good tracker. I don't want to miss out on using his current obsession with food, and I also think it's a great way to exercise his mind.
Any suggestions from personal experience, or links to good articles are very welcome! Please!
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Re: Learning to track in the snow?
[Re: phaedra rieff ]
#304567 - 11/26/2010 11:27 AM |
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Re: Learning to track in the snow?
[Re: steve strom ]
#304606 - 11/26/2010 06:49 PM |
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It is more of a help to the handler but can be used occasionally. Some dogs, not all, can start to rely on the visual more then the scent work if done to often.
old dogs LOVE to learn new tricks |
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Re: Learning to track in the snow?
[Re: Bob Scott ]
#304613 - 11/26/2010 07:38 PM |
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It is more of a help to the handler but can be used occasionally. Some dogs, not all, can start to rely on the visual more then the scent work if done to often.
I was worried about my dog relying on the visual more then real scent work in the show we had this last week. He didn't seem to... as he's still tracking well now and the snow is gone.
Bob, I was thrilled to have the chance for snow, and actually SEE him working heel to toe, in every step. It was really encouraging/exciting!
Phaedra, Good luck! Let us know how it goes. Preferably with super cute Mal puppy videos. 
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Re: Learning to track in the snow?
[Re: Kelly Byrd ]
#304616 - 11/26/2010 08:11 PM |
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Phaedra, Good luck! Let us know how it goes. Preferably with super cute Mal puppy videos.
Oh I will definitely video it. I have to work all through the weekend and don't have any time in the daylight until next Thursday  Of course we still do our normal training...
He's actually a GSD, though you're not the first person to think he's a Mal (even in "real" life).
Just as a general question, what do most of you prefer - food in the heel or toe?
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Re: Learning to track in the snow?
[Re: phaedra rieff ]
#304625 - 11/26/2010 11:01 PM |
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Phaedra, Good luck! Let us know how it goes. Preferably with super cute Mal puppy videos.
Oh I will definitely video it. I have to work all through the weekend and don't have any time in the daylight until next Thursday Of course we still do our normal training...
He's actually a GSD, though you're not the first person to think he's a Mal (even in "real" life).
Just as a general question, what do most of you prefer - food in the heel or toe?
I think it's a choice. I've always put it in the heel. Some put it in the toe. Some do both. I don't really know of any good explanation for any one way.
One thing for sure. Get yourself a length of pvc pipe (it's cheap) Just drop the food through the pipe right where you want it. Saves a ton of bending. 
old dogs LOVE to learn new tricks |
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Re: Learning to track in the snow?
[Re: Bob Scott ]
#304627 - 11/27/2010 12:04 AM |
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One thing for sure. Get yourself a length of pvc pipe (it's cheap) Just drop the food through the pipe right where you want it. Saves a ton of bending.
That's an awesome idea! I put my food in the heel, and I have spent many awkward hours bent backwards trying not to lose my balance and make an extra foot step.
I have heard that some like to use the toe because it teaches the dog to follow through the whole foot... I learned to use the heel, and just stuck with it.
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Re: Learning to track in the snow?
[Re: Bob Scott ]
#304646 - 11/27/2010 11:54 AM |
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Get yourself a length of pvc pipe (it's cheap) Just drop the food through the pipe right where you want it. Saves a ton of bending.
I have already patented this Bob... I painted it black and named it the T.T.D.U. (Tactical Treat Dispersal Unit) Should be hitting a Home Depot near you soon!
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Re: Learning to track in the snow?
[Re: Matthew Grubb ]
#304647 - 11/27/2010 12:04 PM |
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How do you make the track and food not so obvious that the dog is tracking by sight?
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Re: Learning to track in the snow?
[Re: Ana Kozlowsky ]
#304654 - 11/27/2010 02:02 PM |
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How do you make the track and food not so obvious that the dog is tracking by sight?
Ana, it’s been my experience that a dog with a good nose down behavior won’t see the footsteps in the snow until he is right on top of them.
The foot print itself makes a great “scent holder” for the track… I believe it keeps the scent moisturized and is able to hold and protect the scent from the wind.
Someone mentioned frozen ground… I think the track picture provided to the dog with frozen ground is a whole different animal and forces the dog to focus more on the human scent than the ground disturbance. When it gets COLD here in Da’ Burgh it always takes about 5 or 6 training tracks to get my PSD back on task when the ground is frozen solid.
Tracking in snow is a blast… I have watched our dogs do some outstanding scent work in the snow. And our find rate always goes way up in the winter time even with our urban tracks, snow or no snow. Our only enemy… road salt.
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