We hear it all the time…I think my dog can track, she can find anything and is always has her nose down sniffing when we walk.  I think she can be a tracking a dog.

The good news is you are right.  The basics of tracking are something all dogs can do.  What training will do is focus and refines the dog's skill to follow a very specific aged scent.

Tracking is a fun activity for a dog and handler to enjoy together. The general idea is for the dog to follow the scent left by a person who is walking through an area and to find an article dropped by the person.  What training will do is focus and refines the scent skill of the dog.  Training will teach the handler to “read” their dog.  Tracking is one of the few dog events that the dog is in charge.  As we all have heard in our training…you cannot push a rope!

That is the challenge of tracking, the training.  Training for tracking can be started in your front yard and by combining one of the many excellent books on tracking you can start down the path of being a tracker.  If you have an interest in tracking come out to our annual tracking test in the fall and watch how it is done.  Check out DOGWISE for excellent selection tracking books.  Use the word “tracking” in the site search

On ad hoc bases, GVDOTC will offer classes for tracking.  Most training can be done on your own or find a partner to work together with in training and laying of tracks.

Tracking titles and the specifics of the track

TD-A TD (Tracking Dog) track is between 400 to 450 meters with two to three turns, aged for a minimum of 30 minutes and a maximum to two hours. Dog has to find and indicate the article at the end of the track

TDX- A TDX (Tracking Dog Excellent) track is 900 to 1000 meters with five to eight turns, three articles and two cross tracks; aged three to five hours.  The dog has to find 2 of the three articles which include the article at the end of the track.  Track will include some obstacles which may include crossing roads, varying vegetation and will include a cross track purposely laid across the track.

All articles at this level are leather

CLICK HERE for more informamation- URBAN TRACKING