(Mods - I didn't see a specific forum for tracking questions, so feel free to move this if it is out of place! Thanks!)

So I have a problem with Sam in tracking, but I feel like it's a pretty good problem to have. When we reach the end of a track, he is so into the act of tracking that he simply does not want to stop. I end with a second scent pad with a few treats and then I give our "break" command and try to engage him in play, the same way I do in obedience once we've finished working. In obedience, he'll go for the toy and loves playing tug, but when it comes to tracking time, that toy just is no competition for tracking more!

The best advice I've gotten is to physically move him away from the track with lots of praise and petting and then, once his nose is up and he's no longer trying to track, then try to engage him in some play as a reward. I was told I could try a higher value food reward given by my hand after the "break" command, but the issue there could be him increasing his speed in the track to try to reach that reward.

For now, he's really doing great in tracking and LOVES using his nose. I'm also wondering if this is something he'll start to figure out over time as he realizes that after the break, whether he goes for the toy or not, the track is finished and there is no more.

Thank you for any advice!

I am no expert but when I started Harley on longer tracks I used higher value baits in the first section then a random mix and ended on a larger reward. I had to pull him off the track, if I did not he would track my escape route back to the car or the barn no reward.

Now he is at the point were he need very little reward on the track. The articles (introduce off the track) are the reward. The final reward now is food or toy.
Because we are at a point were we don't need much baits, we have done 2km unbaited, Harley need to focus to find the reward and keep an ok speed not to get lost.

Still now and than I need to pull him off at the end. I try to find places where I can use a different path to go back "home" so there is no track to follow.

Since there is an article at the end of a track, after the indication I would just leash him and walk off. Nothing wrong with leaving when the dog is still wanting.

Thank you both!

 Quote: Bob Scott

Since there is an article at the end of a track, after the indication I would just leash him and walk off. Nothing wrong with leaving when the dog is still wanting.

This^^^, and another thing. This would be a good time to teach a "we're done" command, as has been mentioned by Steve Strom and Cindy Rhodes many, many times on this website. This command teaches the dog to break focus and redirect. It gives a solid and distinct end to any training session or behavior. I use it for all knds of stuff, not just training.

We haven't started articles yet, but when we do that is a great idea and I'll remember it. I know one handler who, in training, uses the same article every time for the end of the track.

We've done well with a "break" or "we're done command" in all other contexts, like when working on obedience, but I think he just finds tracking so rewarding in itself that he's ignoring the break command here. I think, most likely, with more practice and moving him off the track with rewards and praise, he'll start to "get it." He is only 7 months old.

Separate of the tracking, its pretty helpful for them to understand any obedience is done, so I'd keep working that with everything. I don't let them go back over a track, but I don't mind them still sniffing the ground as we leave the track. I think it'll help them figure out there's nothing there, its all back in the footsteps.