Bailie is in training for a TDX Test right now. She is our super tracking hound and is hoping to get a test spot this year. Her TD title took three tries, but when she got it back in October 2015. It was well deserved. The next step is the TDX, Tracking Dog Excellent, which is a lot more challenging than the TD.
Bailie rarely has trouble following a track, but there are some new challenges when one does a TDX track, and these need to be practiced. The biggest problem Bailie has is starts. In a TD test, you know the direction the track starts, but in a TDX, the dog has to figure it out. Bailie is often so excited to get going, she takes off without thinking. Because of this, Mom is practicing real short tracks with her that start in different directions so she learns to take a moment to figure out the right direction.
One new challenge in a TDX track is a cross track. This is where someone walks across the track when it is laid. The dog needs to ignore that scent and stay on track. We practice in a field that has cross tracks in it, so that helps us out since we don’t always have someone along to make a cross track for us. The cross tracks are mowed, and kids are always running around on them.
Another challenge is the change of terrain. Tracks might pass from mowed grass to fields, go through a wooded area, cross over a small stream, things like that. Each type of terrain holds scent differently making it more challenging for the dog to stay on track.
So far in training, Bailie has had no trouble staying on track with different obstacles. The above photo is what Mom usually sees – a flying hound behind! Mom has to slow her down all the time as she is far too fast to keep up with!
The TDX tracks are 800 to 1000 yard long which is twice the distance of a TD track. The tracks are also aged from three to five hours, they have a minimum of three turns, and there are four articles that must be found. Treats are not allowed during tests, so the dog needs to stop at each article and then keep tracking until the end article. For Bailie it is usually not a problem because she just loves to track. Test spots are hard to come by, but hopefully Bailie will have some luck and get a chance to try for a TDX Title soon!
Have fun training and I hope you get a spot in the next test.
We’ll see who is in what test if any in a couple weeks.
Dry confusing to me. I would fail.
Like every new sport, we slowly work out way in and before you know it, it all makes sense.
Bailie has a cute behind! Hope she gets a spot in the trials. XOXO, Sparkle
There are only three of four spots in the test next month, but it is a draw system, so if there are more entries than that, it is up to chance. Paws crossed.
wow that is not easy to find the right track if humans ran around over your track… but I’m sure your nose NEVER fools ya… you always find the right way… without gps and without following taxi drivers… like my dad hehehe
My mom is always lost, but she knows Bailie is real good at following tracks and will get her to where they need to go.
maybe Bailie can be the co-pilot if we travel again? it can be very eggs-pensive to pay taxi drivers for being the scouts….I hope she is happy with a milkbone per minute :o)
That picture of Bailie’s back end made me laugh! It looks like she’s having a great time with tracking. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that you get a spot.
Until you have witnessed her speed and enthusiasm, it is hard to fully comprehend, but that furry behind in the air is a typical scene!
Your tracking game sure sounds like fun
Lily & Edward
We all enjoy it but Bailie is really crazy about it. Mom enjoys it too, but it is quite time consuming and one needs a lot of space to practice.
We will keep our paws crossed that Bailie gets a spot in a test soon. We know that she will be MOST EXCELLENT! ♥
We have some tracking goals set for the year, the question is whether or not we will achieve them all.
It sounds like Bailie is ready and raring to go, so we sure hope she gets a spot!
She’s always ready to track. Hopefully she can keep her focus if she gets a spot.
Good luck, I hope Bailie gets a spot.
We have our paws crossed.
We sure hope Bailie gets to give it a go. We know y’all will be excited if she gets a spot!
It would be great for her to get into a test, but it is pretty hard to get in.
Good Luck Bailie!! We have our paws crossed for you!
Smileys!
Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo
We hope she can get into a test and do well. Two big wishes!
Sam could NEVER do this, he is way to easily distracted. Scents, butterflies, neighbors walking by. We’ll be cheering you on though!
If it is a sport the dog loves, working through distractions isn’t too hard usually.
Good luck Bailie! It sounds really hard my mom doesn’t even understand it! But we know you’ll be great! Love Dolly
The humans need to follow and trust their dog, that is the secret to tracking success 🙂
Good luck Baille!
That is a wooftastic goal!
I wish you all the best my furiend.
Nose nudges,
CEO Olivia
last bark: flying hound behind, BOL!
Bailie is always flying when she tracks! I go slow and steady.
Isn’t it a bummer when you do all of that training and then cannot get a spot in a test? We find it very frustrating. But instead of helping out clubs who are putting on tests based on what a dog was bred for, and that need a lot of land to run them, the AKC adds stupid meaningless titles like Trick Dog. Do not get me started…..
The AKC wants their nose in everything. They are starting their own nose work too. Getting spots to test is really tough.