The tracking seminar last month was a fun and informative time for Mom and Bailie. Being held at Shamrock Park, it sounded like a lucky event to be a part of! Bailie has her TD, Tracking Dog, Title and needs to work towards her next title. Her options are TDX, Tracking Dog Excellent, or VST, Variable Surface Tracking. After the seminar, Bailie and Mom decided to work towards a VST Title. A TDX involves finding fields, woods, streams, much more difficult in our suburban area. VST works in any park.
What does a VST Test entail?
A VST Test is no easy feat, but Bailie can do it, we are certain of that. The biggest enemy would be a squirrel during a test, but Mom and Bailie need to practice for that. VST tests are often held on college campuses, which means lots of distractions. What are some of the specifics of a VST Test?
- The track is 600-800 yards long
- The track must be on at least three different surfaces, two being non-vegetative such as asphalt, dirt, or concrete
- A track must be aged three to five hours
- There will be four to eight turns
- The dog must find four articles, one of each: cloth, leather, plastic, and metal
What was covered at the tracking seminar?
The seminar for VST had three work stations. Bailie’s first stop was to work on starts. She doesn’t like to get going, but once she does, she doesn’t stop. Next she worked on tracking along buildings and walls with a turn. Airflow can be really funky on buildings and throws off a lot of dogs. The third station was crossing parking lots: grass, asphalt, grass. Some of the sessions used cloth articles which Bailie is used to, but some introduced leather, plastic, or metal.
What were some of the best tips?
There was so much to learn at the tracking seminar, but one always takes away a few things that really help in your own life experiences. The best tips Mom got were really simple, but things she never thought about.
- Work on tracking in small segments. Practice certain parts of the track, not always the entire thing. Work on starts, or work on turns, work on tracking down a sidewalk vs crossing a sidewalk.
- Remember to always help your dog have success. Practice is not a test, it is for learning. A positive learning experience will have a positive effect come testing time.
- Reward, and reward big, EVERY time, no matter how small or large the success is.
- Keep the practice fun. If you or your dog is frustrated, do something simple to end on a positive note and quit for the day.
- Play article games to teach the dog to down on every article they find.
- Only run a full track once every few weeks.
Was the tracking seminar worthwhile?
Definitely! Mom is new to dog sports, but when it comes to tracking and nose work, we take in all the classes and seminars we can. Handlers learn so much by watching others, getting help from others, it is simply a fantastic way to learn. Many tips we get for one sport also carry over to other sports. Mom, Bailie, and I went out tracking the other day, I worked on my TD skills, and Bailie’s goal was to change surfaces and find a plastic article. Mom laid shorter easy tracks, and made them fun for both of us. We both did awesome. I ran slowly sashayed down my short track better than I have in ages. Bailie ran bolted down hers like a mad woman, crossed the asphalt as if it wasn’t even there, ignored people walking, and came to a screeching halt at the plastic article. The tracking seminar was definitely a success for us!
Speaking of tracking…don’t forget to enter our Pawlympics Wabbit Tracking Event by July 15th!
oh how great that you could enter the seminar to learn some special things… and maybe you found people you like and who can go tracking with you :o)
We have our tracking buddy in our area, but in the summer it is hard to work it out because the weather is too hot most of the time. In the fall, I think we will get back to tracking with our buddy.
I never saw a threesome that was such over achievers. I’m so glad I don’t live in your house. I would clearly be the black sheep.
Lots of things we learn carry over to all or most dog sports. We all have so much fun doing our sports, it isn’t hard at all. Finding enough time for it all is the biggest challenge. We are nothing compared to our friends who do agility and obedience. They area always at class, practice and competitions.
Sure sounds like a challenging test but fun. Mom said I have a good sniffer for having a flat one
Lily (& Edward)
There aren’t too many of your kind on scent sports because of your flat noses, but we have seen some and they do just fine.
We are always impressed by you dedication!
Mom is always one to go all in on stuff. If we are going to do it, we may as well do it right, and training is always fun for us too.
Sounds like a great seminar and so much to do for tracking, something I would like to do someday when I have extra time.
Tracking is very time and space intensive, but it is a lot of fun!
It sounds like you two and your Mom learned a lot at the seminar. I never would have guessed that it is better to not run a full track too often; those are probably the types of tips that you might only learn by going to something like that.
Do you know when Bailie’s VST test will be yet?
VST has a super low pass rate because it is so difficult and spots are limited. She needs a lot more practice and may not even try entering a test until spring. We will see. Tracking in the heat in the summer is pretty hard.
WE TWAXED our WABBITS and sent you pictures…
I got them! Thanks, boys!
What a wonderful opportunity to attend these seminars. Bailie is sure becoming a great, little tracker. The rules are very extensive! Have a wonderful weekend!!!
You should try reading the rule book that is full of rules. Bailie is real good at tracking, we just need more time to practice.
Yay for fun seminars! It sounds like your mom and Bailie learned a lot! I really liked the nosework class that I took and I’m hoping to take another one soon!
Hope you can keep up on the nose work. We sure love it, and are trialing this weekend again.
That’s wonderful. I predict Ms. Bailey is going to be a superstar before we know it! Great job ladies.
She’s getting pretty good at consistency now that she is maturing. We have high hopes for her!
That is so cool, Emma! I’m glad that you found a sport you love and excel in along with Bailie. ♥ P.S. Cool soft crate!
We love our soft crates, and Mom loves how easy they are to transport!
3 bum swings! 3 more! Wooftastic work Emma & Bailie!
Looks like pawsome fun!
Enjoy my furiends.
Nose nudges,
CEO Olivia
We are pretty good at tracking, especially Bailie.
We think tracking is hard work all the time, Emma and Bailie. You guys deserve extra treats for finding things! 🙂
I will pass that along to the keeper of the treats. We always feel we need more!
Tracking sounds like something that Bailie will be really good at! But all that information is new to mom and it completely overwhelms her, now she doesn’t feel so bad we can’t afford nose work any more! Love Dolly
Mom keeps us in dog sports which is why she can’t afford anything for herself 😉 We love our sports and so does she.