Tracking surely despite adverse weather or ground conditions

Proofing for bad weather and terrain means going out to track in unpleasant conditions such as strong wind, rain or very high or low temperatures. It also means laying tracks on sandy, rough or hard‑packed surfaces and in dead or newly mowed grass.

The important thing is to help the dog a great deal initially so that it can negotiate these conditions successfully and meet them without losing its composure.

In Hungary in 1985, the competitors in the world championships had been promised lush tracking fields, so everyone worried far more about the obedience and protection phases. No one in Hungary expected weather in the high 90s in late September. Neither did they expect cornfields seared by the sun. That year the dogs worked in terrible heat on dead, brown vegetation. Competitors who finished with a passing score breathed a sigh of relief, and undoubtedly they passed because they had prepared their dogs well for such adversities.

Ignoring cross tracks

Few of us have the opportunity to work in fields that are absolutely clean. The vast majority of available tracking sites are chronically contaminated by mice, other dogs, and scurrying rabbits, joggers or schoolchildren taking shortcuts. For this reason it is important to proof the dog on cross tracks, so that it will ignore them and continue following the tracklayer’s footsteps.

Again, the handler lays a straight track for the dog, and then arranges to have a number of different types of cross tracks “cut” it–a bicyclist, a person on foot, a car, etc. It is best if, in the beginning, these cross tracks are greatly different in age than the handler’s track. A few yards past the point where each cross track will cut his footsteps, the handler leaves a reward for the dog–an article or a bait.

As the dog passes over each cross track, it is allowed to, and even should, acknowledge it. However, it if begins to commit to it in any way, the handler gently stops the animal and redirects it back to the track without scolding or punishing it. As soon as the dog is back on the original footsteps, he encourages the animal to continue tracking.

Once the dog has had extensive practice and shows an understanding of the task, the handler can correct it if it commits to a cross track. A quiet “Phooey!” and a light slap on the back with the tracking line should be sufficient.

SUMMARY

To summarize our philosophy of tracking training:

First we teach the animal, supporting and encouraging while it learns the concepts and skills that we present. Then we train it, presenting problems and correcting the dog if it errs, in order to make it clear exactly what the job is. Lastly we proof it by presenting problems that are far harder than those it will encounter in trial.

Obedience: Requirements of the Trial

^{“Joy in work, devotion to duty and to master… docility and obedience, teachableness and quickness to understand.”–Max von Stephanitz}