One of the ways I use to monitor how my dog is doing is by using a log book. This log is simply a record of the following:
1. Date and time of the track
2. weather conditions - including wind direction, raining?/sunny?/hot?/cold? Well you get the picture.
3. A map of the track. This will include a picture of the track itself along with the various major landmarks. This is particularly important if you are working around a particular obstacle that day. Indicate direction and wind direction.
4. Note any problem areas that you encounter with your dog - crittering? distracted by something? etc?
5. Note your impressions of the track itself and your dog's performance.
You won't always have alot to say about everything mentioned here either, so don't get stuck with this format. Make one that works for you.
Thursday 19 April 2012
Tuesday 17 January 2012
Who goes tracking anyways?
When many people think of tracking dogs, they think of Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Labs, Border Collies. It's also not unusual to see Bernese Mountainn dogs, Newfoundlands, or even Great Danes in tracking.
What would you think of Westies, Chihuahuas, Yorkies, and other small and toy sized breeds tracking? Many people watch their small breeds sniffing all over the place and not even think about getting them involved in scent sports. I've seen Westies tracking - Sil Sanders track with these guys and he's an AKC judge.in tracking. I've watched Papillons in tracking trials and doing well at the TDX (tracking Dog Excellent) level.
What I'm emphasizing here is that it is not the size of the dog that is important. It is his/her desire to do the sport. I have yet to meet a dog who doesn't like to sniff things out. Its in their nature to do this.
Later.
What would you think of Westies, Chihuahuas, Yorkies, and other small and toy sized breeds tracking? Many people watch their small breeds sniffing all over the place and not even think about getting them involved in scent sports. I've seen Westies tracking - Sil Sanders track with these guys and he's an AKC judge.in tracking. I've watched Papillons in tracking trials and doing well at the TDX (tracking Dog Excellent) level.
What I'm emphasizing here is that it is not the size of the dog that is important. It is his/her desire to do the sport. I have yet to meet a dog who doesn't like to sniff things out. Its in their nature to do this.
Later.
Sunday 15 January 2012
New tracking offerings 2012
We had our first Urban tracking offering today. I'm envious. Its rare in our area to be able to track in the snow. The student got to have her dog do its first tracks in the snow. it was interesting watching the dog start off going everywhere at first, and then, over several short tracks, started to follow the scent.
Its great to see the early progression because you see much progress in the first few sessions.
We noticed that the ground was fairly clean when we arrived. That is - there was little traffic through the area that we were going to be tracking in.
The pup is a Weimaraner who has lots of energy, not much of an attention span, and highly excitable. We'll have to use some calming techniques to get him to settle down before the tracking session starts.
Its great to see the early progression because you see much progress in the first few sessions.
We noticed that the ground was fairly clean when we arrived. That is - there was little traffic through the area that we were going to be tracking in.
The pup is a Weimaraner who has lots of energy, not much of an attention span, and highly excitable. We'll have to use some calming techniques to get him to settle down before the tracking session starts.
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