I'd love to hear how Qashmir takes to it when the time comes! I bet you'll really like the method.

I think it can alse be used for more advanced dogs too though -- I believe Ivan devised the method initially in problem solving dogs that speed through a track.

Katie

How old is Havok Jessica? How has he done?

 Quote: JessicaKromer

I seriously recommend anyone that is into tracking check out this video/method and try it out. It is not a new tactic, but one that seems to not be utilized as much as it should in the world of Schutzhund and can show you the dogs strengths and weaknesses, while introducing the dog/pup to wind changes, terrain changes, working independently, and tracking the trail and not for the end of the track. I would not hesitate to put a mature tracking dog on a circle track.

I completely agree, Jessica -- good post!

Katie

 Quote: Katie O'Connor

I'd love to hear how Qashmir takes to it when the time comes! I bet you'll really like the method.

I think it can alse be used for more advanced dogs too though -- I believe Ivan devised the method initially in problem solving dogs that speed through a track.

Katie

Well, we'll know in about 4 weeks or so.

Another trick I like, is coming at the start flag at a 90 degree angle, for dogs that just go charging straight out of the scent pad.

It forces them to actually FIND the track, instead of just continuing out of the start pad in a straight line.

8 months-ish, and he is not as food driven as Quinn (more so lately) so tracking for him has always been more about the track anyway with small baits here and there. He is much more methodical and intent on finding the scent. Follows me around the yard with his nose to the ground when we are out there, so he is kinda a natural.

The circles have been fun for him. He goes round and round for about 20-30 minutes before I pull him off. I am experimenting with him and making the circles small (5' diameter) and really big (50' diameter) with small circles coming off on the inside of the circle. If he misses them, he is still on the track, if he finds them, he comes right back to it again. I borrowed it from arena exercises I use for the horse... Don't know yet if it does anything good for him yet, but it makes the track more fun!

I am most impressed with how the circles have helped Quinn to slow down and relax. I have him on the crazy serpentines that I described above and spirals that come to the center of the circle as well. Some days I stay dizzy all day after laying tracks for two dogs...

Since he is still very much a pup at 16 months and has no expierience at all with tracking I am watching and reading about starting pups on a track.

I think I will try with Loki too, being a hound he should enjoy it quite a bit.

Ok, maybe I am just a not awake right now, but I am a little lost. Can someone explain in detail how to lay a circle track? I can't seem to understand if it is one circle you footstep or what? Hopefully someone can make this a little clearer for me. Thank you.

-Lamarr

A circle track is a footstep track laid in a continuous circle - a single circle.

The size (diameter) would vary depending on the age/experience level of the dog or puppy. For a puppy or even an experienced tracking dog that you're introducing to a circle track, I'd start with a small diameter of about 6 feet and bait it heavily.

Katie

 Quote: Katie O'Connor

The size (diameter) would vary depending on the age/experience level of the dog or puppy. For a puppy or even an experienced tracking dog that you're introducing to a circle track, I'd start with a small diameter of about 6 feet and bait it heavily.

Not to beat this to death, but do you bait every footstep? Do you walk backwards when you lay a circular track so that you can bait where you just stepped?

Hi Lynne,

For the first couple of tracks, yes, I would bait every footstep. Walk forward -- take a footstep, then rock back on your heel and drop the bait in the toe/top of the footstep -- then actually step back down in that footstep and take another step forward...etc. Does that make sense?

Let the track age for 20-30 minutes and then bring your dog to it on a long line. Take a piece of bait in your hand and lure his nose down to a footstep, drop it in and let the dog begin to associate the scent, crushed vegetation and bait reward in each footstep.

Try to keep from guiding the dog as much as possible -- let them go on and off the track, backwards and forwards etc at first. Drop the long line and let it drag and say nothing. Let the dog self-discover the track.

I'd also be introducing the dog to scent pads in foundation tracking -- in addition to the circle track.

Hope this helps.

Katie