Today I’m turning my blog over to Bailie for an update on tracking since she is our tracking star. Without further delay, here’s Bailie. Thanks, Emms. I promise not to mess up the back end of your blog. Tracking is really my favorite thing in the world to do. I have done it on my own as long as I can remember, and in my beginner tracking class, I picked up the new challenges effortlessly. I’m now ready to think about getting my first title which is the Tracking Dog or TD title. Today, I want to show you a bit about what goes into running a track and getting to a TD test. It looks easy peasy, but there are a lot of challenges. We were fortunate to have Laura along to take some photos of us for the blog last weekend.
First someone has to lay out the track. A TD track is 440-500 yards long, there are specific requirements for the length of each leg, the turns, how many, types, and lots of other stuff, but this post is just for basic knowledge and I’m not going into all the furry details of laying a track. My TD test will be in a field, but I also train on mowed grass fields, asphalt, all surfaces really. We also do short tracks to help me build confidence and work on stopping at the article. I do the running of the track (pulling Mom along behind me) and will bark about how I do that. The first thing I do is to go to a point fifteen or so yards from the start flag. Here Mom puts on my tracking harness with my forty yard line attached, and removes my collar. A dog can tell by what it is wearing what is expected. Every harness and collar has a different feel. I have my tracking harness, and a totally different harness for nose work.
From this same point, I get some water. In the summer I drink a lot, in the winter not as much. The water is another signal for me to get ready for tracking, but most importantly, it clears my palate so I’m ready to take in a new scent and follow it a bit easier. You may also notice Mom’s funny gloves. They have leather on the palms and fingers which helps her keep a grip on my line. Tracking is by no means a fashion show, especially in the winter. The only thing that matters is having all the equipment we need with us while running the track. (Note, Mom even has a poop bag roll on her pack!)
After my drink, Mom grabs my harness and we move to the start flag where the article with the scent I will be tracking is laying. I get the command sniff and lie down to sniff the article. You can use any command you want, bus, sofa, down, whatever, but we use sniff. My goal will be to find the other article with the same scent at the end of the track. An article at this level is normally a glove, sock, hat, something along those lines. Dirty undies would be pawsome, but Mom refuses to use her underwear in a track…party pooper!
Mom says I’m super easy to read with tracking, much more so than with nose work. I don’t know. I simply do what comes naturally. When I have the scent filed in my tracking brain, I put my head up to signal Mom I’ve got it. This part is the hardest for me as I want to get going but I still need to wait. You can see my furry, little butt is already off the ground. (In the video, you can see how I start almost too early, just can’t wait!)
Last weekend we ran three different tracks, so some of the photos are from different tracks but they were the best ones to explain what we do. Before I take off like a maniac, Mom has to pick up the article. For a TD track we shouldn’t need it, but when we get to more expert tracks down the road, it may be needed to refresh the scent along the track for me. It is something to make a habit of doing. Once, the article has been picked up and stored on Mom somewhere, she gives me my command “track” and lets me go. Track is what we choose to use, but once again any word you like is fine. I hit the road with the speed of lightening 99.9% of the time.
One of the tracks we ran was on a mowed grass schoolyard, covered with snow. We had Laura video tape this track as it is the easiest to see us in, and it was only about 150 yards long. Sorry, but once again, with my speed, the video person had to run in a futile attempt to keep up, and it does get all shaky, but it is still fun to see how I track. You will notice my sniff and then track at the beginning. Shortly after the start, I veer off to the left as there was a low flying flock of birds which distracted me for a moment. When I get sidetracked, Mom gives me a moment, then says “track” and I normally get back to work. Note also after the turn I slow down for a second. I over shot the turn by about three yards and slow down to make sure I’m on the right track again. At the end I do my down at the article, and get my rewards.
Here is nice still shot of Mom and I in the taller grass field, about fifty yards from the end article. As you can see, I’m having a blast, and Mom is holding me back because she is so slow. Sometimes she does slow me down a bit, but she wants me to keep my enthusiasm up, so she tries to keep up as best as she can.
When I reach the final article, I have to stop and show Mom where it is. She prefers I lie down and stay when I find it, but sometimes I like to keep going. We are working on this problem. I hang out and wait with the article for Mom to show up, and she then gives me my high value reward. I get the real good stuff like bison jerky or lamb lungs, stuff that is extra special.
Once I finish my reward, Mom takes my harness off and puts my collar and leash back on to signal we are done running the track. In the photo, you can see my disbelief – “Rats, we’re already done?”. I always want to track more.
What is my next step? In order to enter a TD test, a dog must get certified. I have to run a TD track with a tracking judge who will give me four certificates if I pass. I then have four chances to pass a TD test in the next twelve months. TD tests are not easy to find and also on a lottery system. Mom has been in touch with a judge and we hope to get certified in the next few weeks so we can apply for a TD test in March. Why the certification? Since space is limited with TD tests, the AKC doesn’t want dogs that aren’t ready to test taking up spots. Being certified sort of assures the AKC you can run a TD track. I have my paws crossed and will keep you all posted. Hope you enjoyed learning a bit more about my favorite sport! If you are interested in tracking, I suggest you take a track to get you started on the right paw. It really is a lot of fun!
Ya look like you’re really enjoyin your trackin!
Bailie is a born tracker and I don’t think she can ever get enough of it!
That is so cool Bailie! You also did a great job on the blog!
I don’t get to do my own posts very often, but it is a lot of fun. Emma is always worried I will mess it all up, but I didn’t.
Wow you sure look like you enjoy it. Nice job there. Have a fabulous Friday.
Best wishes Molly
It is the most fun, I just adore it!
Sounds like brilliant fun.
It sure is!
Very interesting. Sometimes the police come and lay tracks for the police dogs in and around our office complex. It is interesting to watch them and they move much slower than Bailie. 🙂 Has your mom thought about joining an AKC tracking club?
Bailie would be great with the police, but with her mischief, she may end up catching herself! There are several clubs around here, but we haven’t joined any of them yet. It’s all pretty new for us and the winter is real quiet for most trackers. I think once we get going with the testing and spring hits we will join a club. We are in several groups around the area for tracking right now.
Bailie is extremely fast. Her instructor said she may break or be close to the record time for a TD test, but she is so focused, if Mom can keep up, she said let her go.
Hi Y’all!
Oh, that does look like fun! Especially the part where you pull your Mom through all the ice and snow!
I’ll be keepin’ my paws crossed that you are able to get your certificates and your title in short order!
Y’all come on by,
Hawk aka BrownDog
Mom says Bailie is trying to kill her with all the racing through fields. We hope she never falls and gets hurt. If she does, Bailie is in big trouble!
Oh I would love to run with you on that track as I saw your video! That goes very fast! Dirty undies would be great… but I have some doubts that humans like that so much as we do :o) btw: can you tell me more about your bottle? my mom looks for a bottle what we can use without haveing a bowl on board … and the one I have with a foldout bowl is amessy things, my whole bag is always flooded :o)
It is just a plastic bottle that came with the carry pack. It has two, one for Bailie and one for mom. It is just like the ones you buy at the store they call sports bottles. Pull up to open, squeeze to drink, push back down to close it. Works great. For nose work we use a fold up bowl and fill it from a regular water bottle. We had one of those bowl on the bottle things once and it didn’t work well for us at all.
Really interested in tracking and look forward to reading your updates in the future – I think this is something Harvey would excel in. You are an inspiration Bailie!
It is a great sport, so much fun for Mom and Bailie, but it does need a lot of space and time which is why I’m not tracking, but if Bailie gets her first title early this year, I may start too. It is physical and mental for us dogs which is wonderful.
I loved this. It was so informative and fun to watch. Bailie you look like your really enjoy it was makes it so exciting to watch. Keep tracking!
Thank you. We thought it was kind of a fun post. Bailie will be tracking as long as she is breathing, I think. She tracks constantly even when she is not doing formal tracking.
Wow, Bailie is super talented, tracking looks pretty complicated. Thanks for sharing this post, I wasn’t familiar w/ tracking at all.
Mom calls her a little tracking genius. We shall see how she does on the testing part, but Mom and her have a ton of fun with it and that is super important.
Wow, Bailie, you were pawsome! A perfect blog for get fit Friday. Thank you, Emma, for allowing Bailie to share your space. XOXO Sparkle the PBGV
As you know with fur siblings, you have to share almost everything. I got a break which is nice too.
Thanks for sharing all of that with us Bailie. It’s really interesting and was fun to watch you run the track. Good job.
I have to watch her as she would babble on and on about tracking if I let her. It is kind of her life!
How cool is that! Bailie I bet you are going to be awesome, you already are!
Bailie and Mom are getting a bit nervous as they know she is good, but testing is always such a different situation.
The waterbottle photo looks like you’re a pro athlete about to get into the game. Which you kind of are. Hope 2015 has a certification in store.
Bailie is a tracking machine! Hopefully she will get certified in the next two weeks and then get a spot for a test in March. We shall see.
WOW! Great job!!! And I loved the video too!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
Thank you. Bailie wanted to show what she can do, but it is impossible to video in the tall grass.
OMD Bailie you are GRRRREAT at this Tracking stuffs… We loved learning more about how you do it… and what you get fur your reward at the end… Grrreat stuffs here today.
Bailie would track even without the reward because she truly loves to track, but to get her to stop at the article, rewards are necessary, but they have to be extra tasty ones.
This was interesting, thank you so much for the great explanation. Good luck on your certification and tracking title.
We have our paws crossed.
Hi Bailie, it’s me Lilly. Dash told me that I should write the response today since I am the little sister in our house! You are awesome. I love these photos and I admire how hard you are working. I think my favorite photo is of how “ready” you are with your furry behind off the ground!! Have a great day Bailie and say hi to Emma! your doodle friend Lilly
Humans can really slow a dog down according to Bailie. We love the butt off the ground pic too as it is so Bailie!
You guys look like you’re having a great time. Love the photo of you and your mom! =D
We love tracking, it is always so much fun!
This definitely looks like a lot of fun! I love how your ears are flying in the picture in the long grass! Good luck with the certification–it sounds like you have nothing to worry about!
We think she will pass no problem, but one never knows for sure.
We are totally impressed sweet Bailie!
I can track cats too in case any of you get lost.
That looks like so much fun!!
Mom and Bailie love it, the only bummer is the fun ends so quickly.
Awww, Mom, no dirty undies??! BOL!
It was very interesting to watch you follow Bailie ~ great workout for the both of you! I very much like your gloves with the leather on the palms & fingers, by the way.
We’re wishing you success with your TD title & are looking forward to reading more about it!
Thank you. It is a great mental and physical workout, especially at high speed like Bailie runs!
That is so cool Bailie! I had no idea what was actually involved in the sport and you did a great job explaining.
I think it is really interesting that you get separate collars and harnesses for different tasks. I think that is such a great idea and can tell that you knew what you are about to do as you were getting your gear on!
Mom finds it all just fascinating. She has learned so much about dogs and their senses in the past year.
You definitely look like you are enjoying yourself, Bailie! I really enjoyed learning more about it, and seeing you in action. Good luck with your certification and testing, can’t wait to hear how it all goes!
Mom will be happy when she gets certified, fear of failure lurks in her mind even though Bailie should have no problem, it is an unknown having never done a “competition” track.
Wow! Your mom sure has to move to keep up with you! Great job, Bailie! Love that pic toward the end with you two running toward the camera! Good luck with your certification.
It is a bit like agility, short runs and turns, but it is tiring for Mom with all her winter gear on.
Good luck on your test! I’ve been looking for classes but the closest one I could find is about an hour away.
Our nose work classes are always about 40 mins from home, but it is worth it for us. Bailie’s tracking class was also about 40 mins away, but it was only six classes and then you are on your own as you have the basics.
We have read about SAR over at Mr. Taletellers, but we never read about Tracking Dogs. What will you be able to do once you are certified Bailie??
SAR is a bit more involved. Mom considered doing it but it is a real time commitment and with three of us and all the things we do, time is not there for SAR. Tracking titles are just like agility or any other dog sport titles. You test to see if you can do it and get your title, try for another level up. Bailie can find things if you need them, but that is about all she can do.
If there weren’t – yanno – SNOW in the photos, that would look like FUN! Looks like you were loving it, though!!
Bailie learned without snow, but we have to practice all our nose sports in all weather, even rain.
Looks like your well on your way to getting there. 🙂
I guess the worst part is hoping there are enough tracking tests during the 12 months so that you can get your title. The certificate process makes a lot of sense.
We are hoping to get lucky and get Bailie into a TD test in March, but first we have to get her certified. Mom and Bailie will have to travel for most of her titles, but they are alright with that.
The speed she gets is amazing. I love the quick look at the birds and then she’s right back at it, one day I hope to have some better impulse control with my dog. She looks like she’s well on her way and good luck with getting into a TD test, the lottery system would make me a bit nervous.
All the competitions we enter for nose work and tracking are lottery system which is frustrating, but we are hoping to get in soon. We are trying to get certified on Saturday. She really is a true tracking dog so focus is pretty good and she loves speed when she is on track. Slowing down is a huge clue something is amiss!
I really enjoy following Bailie with her tracking and Emma with her nose work. It fascinates me. Thanks for keeping us in the loop.
Thank you. We love talking about it as we had no idea what we were getting into. There is so much to learn and work on, it is amazing but so fun.
Loved learning about tracking, thanks for sharing this post.
Thank you. Bailie and mom really enjoy it. If Bailie can get her test passed and get a title early this spring I may give tracking a whirl too.