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Start on the right foot (paw?)
By Lois Ballard
Routines are very important in tracking. When you start the track, your dog
needs to know what he/she is going to be doing. Your Start Routine should
be the same, every time you track with your dog, especially the day of the
test. At a test, you will be taking your dog from your car to the track.
If you normally track in fields just walking distance from your home, you
should practice working out of your car so you and your dog will be
comfortable starting from the car.
Your Start Routine will begin long before getting to the tracking field.
You will need to load your car with all the things you will need. harness,
lead, water, tracking bag, etc. When you arrive at your tracking field for
the day, be sure to exercise your dog before his/her turn to track. You may
want to spend some time sitting and talking calmly to your dog. Get all
your equipment ready. Untangle the lead and be sure the harness is ready to
put on. Put your water bottle into your tracking bag. Take the dog out of
the crate and attach the tracking line to the collar or around the neck.
Walk or carry the dog to the start flag. Once you reach the start flag, ask
your dog to sit or down while you put on the harness, attach the lead and
allow the dog to smell the start article. If your dog is willing to hold
the start article in his/her mouth, that is ideal. Do not rush the dog to
start tracking, all the time spent at the start flag allows the dog to take
in the tracklayer's scent. When you and the dog are ready, begin tracking.
When the dog reaches the final article, has indicated it and you've praised
him/her, and given a treat IF this is a training track, it is time to let
the dog know it's job is done. Take off the harness and attach the lead to
the collar or around the neck.
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