Hi, I have been searching the forum as not to repeat questions from past posts but was unable to turn anything up. Last night I received and watched Training a Competition Tracking Dog and now I have a few questions to clear a few things up. If I did in fact miss these in the forum, I appologize, but here goes.

1) Ed mentioned that the use of a belly band in competition is now illegal, does this apply to harnesses as well?

2) With regards to line handling, the video notes that the best method is to feed the line back through the dog's legs. Therefore, when using a harness should the D-ring be above or below the dog's torso and if it is above should the line feed underneath to give the handler better control of the dog's movement?

3) During the chapter "Wrong Way" the first demo dog, when given the auto platz, begins to chew and eat grass beside the track, is that an example of stressful hectic behavior? And will such behavior cost the handler points on a trial?

4) Exactly how long is "a few days" when it comes to grass being cut; one day, two, a week or more, I'm overly cautious about trimmed fields and was hoping for a bit of input on this one.

5) When laying a track leg for the first time, should that leg be kicked in heel-to-toe, kicked in as normal stepping pattern, or should the leg be one consistant stomp/scuff right to the end?

I appreciate any input or redirection that can be offered. Thanks for bearing with me through this post and thanks for your time.

For AKC tracking, a harness is acceptable.
For SchH, handlers track their dog on the fur saver dead-ring. You'll sometimes see a bottger harness used, but that's pretty rare nowadays - I haven't seen it used in years and it could well be no longer in use at all.

The part about the line running through the dogs legs pertains to tracking on a leash, not a harness.

A dog that chews grass or otherwise displays those type of behaviors as you've mentioned can earn up to an eight point deduction in it's total score, depending on the severity of the behavior.

Hope that helps.

Yes that does help, thank you <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Now I will be able to set stricter goals.

Still wondering about exactly how to lay my very first leg out of the scent pad though <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Thanks a buch!!

By theory, it's best to have your initial tracks laid in a single line heel-to-toe method and gradually allow your steps to widen ( but not lengthen ) into what would be a normal distance for a person with a normal gait.

However.....

It's hard as h*ll to walk like a drunk ballerina while trying to place food in every footstep. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />
Try it, unless you're unusually agile, it's a pain in the butt.
Plus it's hard to "kick in" a deep footprint while attempting to walk heel-to-toe.
We use a method of simply placing the track *backwards* which is much easier if you're laying food, but it's hard for many people to stay in a straight line.

I think that a hard shuffle through your initial tracking medium for your first tracks off the scent pad ( consisting of only 20 paces max. ) is the best compromise that is doable for most people.

And remember, if you're starting to teach tracking, the most important thing to do is to practice it daily for the first six weeks.
That's *everyday* during the learning stage, without fail. Trust me on this...

Just my opinion's here, other folks may have a method that works for them just as good.

Try using a length of PVC pipe to place the food in each foot step. It sure beats all that bending for us ahhhh, more mature folks. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Thanks again, Will! Placing food in the foot prints is not really an issue (have great balance) I was just unsure about how to lay the beginning leg itself. The pvc pipe is a great idea too and I'll keep that in mind for a few years down the road.

I do plan on tracking everyday but, what type of adverse weather conditions (if any) should I shy away from in the beginning stages? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />