I am new to the forum and to new sport (schutzhund) tracking. My 20 month-old Boxer has only been tracking for 6 months and we just introduced an ending article about 6 weeks ago. He is indicating/downing very well (not always straight, but pretty quickly). A few days ago we had a 4-5 inches of snow and I decided to take advantage of the novel conditions in an almost-virgin snow area of the local park. Rhino tracked beautifully (nose down in each step, very methodical)and even negotiated 2 cross tracks that I couldn't avoid (but to be honest, they were probably a day old). It was chilly that afternoon so he was wearing his fleece'coat'. If he's out for any length of time in temps less than about 35 degrees I give him a fleece cover that zips up the back and shields his belly. When we got to the end he initially attempted to down for the article, but didn't want to lay fully down in the snow. Can't say that I blame him, given it was very unfamiliar conditions and the poor guy's got no fat or fur! Evidently the doggie-coat wasn't enough insulation! (as an aside, I briefly thought maybe I should give him more clothing, but quickly decided that wrapping him up like the younger brother from "A Christmas Story" probably wouldn't help)... I tried to encourage him by covering food placed on top of the article with my hand. Still no luck - he was NOT going to down in the snow! Instead, I just thought "OK - let's reset", and led him away with neither praise nor correction. I put him back in the car and laid a mini track with no article at the end. We came back out and had a successful smaller track with no article/downing (but lots of praise) at the end.

My question for more seasoned trackers is: we live in TN so snow isn't a constant this time of year. However, we'll be relocating to the Northeast in 2012 (where snow will be a bigger factor). If/when we snow track again this Winter, how demanding should I be for the down at this point? We're just getting a consistent handle on downing for an article and I feel like giving my dog a "bad" snow/tracking experience right now is not worth the risk of turning him off of tracking.

Any advice will be welcome.

Thanks,
Patty

I have a shepherd without an ounce of fat on him and at least a foot of snow. Although a coat isn’t necessary in his case (I have decorated him with one on occasion) initially “downing” in snow was a bit foreign to him at first. Much like downing in water, on sand, on pavement, on gravel, etc.

I would look at proofing the "down" in snow first before you throw it into the mix with the tracking. Short, fun sessions where the command is simply “down” and he gets a feel for the fluffy, white stuff. Once he’s comfortable and reliable, I’d introduce the tracks again.

Just a thought and simply MHO, I’m not a seasoned tracker and I don’t train in Schutzhund so this may be off track.

And welcome.

Thanks CJ!

Yes, in retrospect, I was expecting too much to introduce both tracking and downing in snow all at once (rookie move). We just tracked again this morning and practiced snow-downs separately. Luckily it's stayed cold here and I hope to be able to work on this a few more times before everything melts.