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VST … The Future of Tracking
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© 2003 by Ed Presnall
I believe that variable surface tracking is "the future” for the sport of tracking. In many areas of the country TD and TDX tests are becoming smaller, due to the encroachment of civilization and the resulting loss of available land. For years I have driven by lush farm fields and thought to myself what a nice place to track, if only ... it was not posted, or off limits to dogs or ...
When one of my favorite training fields fell to progress and sprouted apartments and office buildings where once proud pecan trees grew. I bemoaned the loss of the woods obstacle and the lovely but treacherous ditch and fence combination, which had been such fun to watch a good dog and handler, work through.
Now I find myself still feeling the loss of the field, but almost with an excitement and glee, not seen by most field trackers, I also look forward to challenging my dogs by working through the scent problems created by the new structures and surfaces. I drive by such construction sites often. When it appears safe, I ask and almost always receive permission to track through the construction area to enhance my dog’s ability to tackle changing scenting problems on a variation of textures and surfaces. Tracking around ramps and stairs, partially completed foundations and walls and one of my favorites, parking garages continually challenges my dogs to learn and remember patterns and the solutions to problems, which may take many sessions to resolve. I look at all of this training as an ability to allow me and my dog to collect and store a suite of working tools to mentally carry along with us as we work a track.
Urban tracking, to me, requires the ability for someone to work with their dogs and develop an almost inseparable relationship where one seemingly knows what the other will do or needs almost before it happens. Tracking in the fields is fun and I will never give it up, but when it is just you and your dog, out there on the asphalt and you know that you are working as a true team, well, that is what I call the dance. And it just does not get any better than that!
Similar in method to breaking down a track into components, I tend to break down the description of the various AKC tracking tests into components. Those parts or components are the minimal guidelines of what a dog and handler will be required to perform in order to pass.
A test of credibility - Whether you are watching a friend or fellow tracker or you are standing over that last article, your heart in your throat, smiling down at your dog, you know deep down inside that the team has been tested. The judges have put forth their best efforts to meet the guidelines and intent of the test and the team has, by working together, given their all. The result, pass or fail, is something that everyone can be proud of.
Adapting to changing scenting conditions - As you progress in your VST training, you will introduce the team to a myriad of scenting conditions, some which seemingly change as the team is running the track. Buildings push and pull scent, drains, grates and sewers allow scent to flow and an insignificant amount of wind can swirl or move the scent from the tracklayer yards away from it’s original location. Working your dog in each of these conditions and acclimating your dog to problem solving in changing conditions will give you a better opportunity to succeed should the unexpected happen.
As practical as possible - Utilizing the “lay of the land”, plan your combination components and training tracks to use the available features of the site. Incorporate buildings, walls, hedges, roads and transition areas into your training.
Demonstrating the dog's willingness and ability to follow a specific scent - In training, incorporate multiple proofing routines to allow your dog to solve multiple scent picture scenarios. Utilizing contaminated training areas, multiple tracklayers at the start position, intersecting tracks, games and motivational tools, teach your dog scent discrimination. When you are training, remember that you may find your start article at the start flag or, per the change in regulations, you may be handed that article by the tracklayer. Work with your dog to be able to rescent him/her as necessary as you negotiate the track.
Training and conditioning of the dog - Train yourself and your dog to be ready for the unexpected to happen on a track. Prepare alternate contingency plans in your mind, which will allow you to step in and assist your dog as may be required. Remember this is a team sport! Condition your dog with roadwork or other exercise as required to allow him to easily negotiate a full-length track. Work and train, where possible, in similar weather patterns, elevation and temperature conditions as are normally present during test day.
Inner drive, motivation and determination - Motivate yourself and your dog to be successful. Incorporate the use of games, motivational toys, food, a favorite toy or whatever it takes to create a desire in your dog to track and please you. You will need the desire and determination to see the training through to a successful end. Do not allow your emotions to slip down the line and affect your dog’s performance.
Work with intensity and perseverance - Create a never-say-die attitude as a team and learn to work as partners. A passing team has been referred to more than once as appearing to dance through the track. One partner always seeming to know when and how to assist the other. Help your dog to be successful by learning how and when to rescent him/her and develop commands and routines for easy restarts should they be necessary.
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