A Different Dog Sport

Last weekend found this member of FiDo out in the open fields trying something different...tracking!  My friend Patti learned the sport of tracking back east before she moved to Arizona and has been most willing to teach several of us how to work with our dogs.  Patti has titled Springer Spaniels in AKC tracking tests and has also worked with search and rescue dogs. She currently has an advanced tracker, Lily, and a dachsund puppy named Heidi who is just learning. 

Patti and her 9 month old Dachsund follow the scent to the glove.

It is very natural for the dogs to follow a scent...it is not so natural for us as handlers to trust that our dog is following the scent.  However, crucial to this partner ship is teaching the dog to initially keep it's nose to the ground...the dog that keeps it's nose to the ground is easier to follow because it is obvious to the handler that the dog is working.  When we start out training, we use treats placed along the track and we start with very short distances.  There is a "jackpot" reward at the end of the track...a leather article (glove) filled with very yummy treats.  The dog learns that the found article is what the handler desires, and since the article now has a jackpot reward associated with it, the dog learns to "indicate" the article...either picks it up, barks, or in some cases sit (you can train the behavior that you would like in seperate exercises).
It is very rewarding to watch your dog use it's natural instinct and to work in tandem with your dog to achieve the goal...the coolest thing ever for me personally was when my dog caught a turn for the first time.  When you first start out, you teach your dog straight tracks.  Then as they get better you add a turn (we use 90 degree turns at the beginning...there is a reason for this).  My dog was following the track when all of a sudden she lifted her head and was walking around with her head up.  What the heck?  Patti told me to wait and watch.  Gypsy was actually "air scenting" at that point because she had "lost" the track.  In time her nose led her back to the changed direction of the track.  It was just so cool! 
Patti and her husband Kevin are members of the Arizona White Mountain Kennel Club up here in the White Mountains.  I'm so grateful that she is so willing to share her knowledge and abilities with other like minded dog lovers!