Hi, I am new to the forum and have been searching for about four days for answers to my questions so I hope I have not missed them and am repeating something from the past <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I am waiting for some tracking videos from Leerburg in the mail but am eager to start. I have read articles by Ed and as well, Armin Winkler. Right now I am working a scent pad: about 3' by 3' grass area, all vegetation almost destroyed (I have crushed it so bad), dirt stompped and dried liver all over the scent pad. The pad is unaged.

I have read that a little moisture is a good thing because the odor of the track will last longer; however, I am not concerned with a long lasting odor at the moment (I think that's correct..?). What I was wondering was how much moisture is too much during the very first stages of tracking. Finding green grass is not a problem but I am getting into the rainy season and am unsure whether or not I can do this type of work in the rain, after it has rained, etc...

I have order "Training a Competition Tracking Dog", "Training S&R-Police Tracking Dogs", and "Track Laying for Police Tracking Dogs". I expect these dvds this week so if the answer lies within one of them I appologize for wasting everybody's time. But like I said I am eager <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Also, if there is anyone out there who has seen these videos and may have something to add I would really appreciate that as well.

Thanks v much!!

Ok, I'll start this off with the statement "this is my opinion" - these are just my observations...

Most of us practice tracking in the morning, when dew is on the ground. And you need to practice tracking in the rain ( as that might end up being trial conditions ) but only after your dog is tracking well - consider the rain as a "distraction" for training.

I have all three of the video's that you mentioned and I consider them first-rate. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Do you track in the morning because it it more convenient? Or, does tracking in the a.m. make it easier for the dog to learn?

Charlie,
Since tracking is usually done as an AM event in SchH, it's best for me to practice as close to trial conditions as possible.
Also, the dew on the ground aids me in knowing where my track is, if I'm doing grass tracking.

And lastly, winds are usually at their lowest in the AM hours and pick up as the day progresses/ heats up. So it's better from a training standpoint also.

The vids you ordered from Ed have a ton of really good scent theory in them. I’d also suggest that you pick up “Tracking Dog” by Glen Johnson. (one of my personal favorites).

The dewy morning grass really holds scent well making it an optimum time to work on tracking with a younger dog learning his way around tracking. As Will said, a huge benefit of dewy grass is the ability to see every footstep in your track so there is no guesswork at all remembering where the footsteps are and you can focus a lot more on working with and reading your dog.

The later in the day you work the more the sun is going to affect your track by “drying out” the scent at a much quicker pace.

Light rain will help “refresh” or hold scent and in my experience has not proven to be of any harm to the track. Heavy rain however has a nasty habit of washing away scent.

I love scent theory!!

What is your opinion on snow?

Since I've just begun pads (2 sessions) with my pup (9 weeks) and it's going to snow up here in about 3 weeks, I don't want to wait till spring to begin training him to have a deep nose...

 Quote:

What is your opinion on snow?

Snow is no problem… light dustings are great for helping you know exactly where your track is going. Deeper snow provides a little “scent cup” to help hold the scent in the foot step.

If you are new to tracking, a bit of advice. I kept a log of everything wheather related and how the dog responded for each track. I also kept notes on a tape recorder while I was tracking to put in the log later on. I bought a cheap wheather "station" with temp/barometric ect. to bring along while I was training. I started with as little wind as possible and always tracked away from it. Keeping track of all the little variables was very helpful for me. In the end I didn't care how much wind or how dry or anything like that, I just recorded and the dogs did fine. It is helpful in the beginning so that you could make a little harder tracks on the days that were really good days for your dog to track.

Thanx for the advise; I already keep a log book though <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I was in the Canadian Infantry and kept a shooting book so I know the value of recording the weather conditions and how those conditions affect the training. I am new to tracking and have a new question. I will post it as a new question as this thread is getting pretty old <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> I will title it as "Step Two in Beginner Tracking" in case you might have some input for me on this one! Thanx a buch!!