Tracking

Tracking is, to us, a wonderful sport to do with our hounds.  Tracking is offered by the American Kennel Club  and the Canadian Kennel club, as well as other dog organizations around the world.  From the AKC Website: "AKC Tracking is a canine
sport that demonstrates a dog’s natural ability to recognize and follow a scent and is the foundation of canine search and rescue
work. Unlike obedience and agility trials, where dogs respond to the owner’s commands, in tracking a dog is completely in charge, for only he knows how to use his nose to find and follow the track."

Tracking is a relatively inexpensive sport, once you have your initial outlay, you don't have to spend a lot of money.  You need a non-restrictive harness (www.pawmark.com has the best), a 40 foot line, some articles (for the dog to find), some surveyor's flags, and some tasty treats.  You should also invest in a good set of boots and rain gear (as well as cold weather gear if applicable.)  While it's nice when you first get started to have a class, it's not completely necessary.  With a copy of the rules (AKC's are available on the website) and any one of a number of good books, you can train your dog completely by yourself.  Yes, even to competition level! I know plenty of people who have trained entirely by themselves, laying all their own track. "The Audible Nose" by Judy Adler is a great book for the beginner.  Although she and I disagree on the use of food in training, it is still an excellent book.  If you are interested in classes, look on the AKC website for a tracking club near you.

The are two things that tracking requires. The first is time.  In the beginning, sessions go pretty quickly, but as your dog becomes more skilled, you age the tracks longer and longer. By the time your dog is ready for the first level of competition, she must be able to follow a track that is at least 2 hours old. However, it is quality time spent with you and your hound!  You are outside, away from the tv and the computer and the two of you can simply enjoy being outdoors together.  The second requirement is land.  Finding land to use becomes harder and harder.  Once you become a tracking addict, you spot parcels of land whenever you are driving around and mark them for later inquiry and possible use.  Many of us use city or state parks, college campuses (on weekends), industrial parks, and fallow fields (always with permission from the landowner!)

We love it, you might too, if you give it a try.

Merry in January 2008 (State Park)

Merry and I pose with the judges after earning our TD. (April 13, 2008)  As you can see, fancy clothes are not a requirement!