Barking at the end of a bloodtrack?

[Irena]

I haven't read any other regulations yet, but at least here the dog has to bark when it has reached the end of the bloodtrack and found whatever we were looking for.

Is that a requirement in other countries too, and, most importantly, what are some ways to teach to bark? Audry is awfully silent, she seldom barks at all. I taught my first puppy by means of immitation (OK, I made my brother sit and bark for a pancake and the pup caught on immediately! ;D ), and my previous dog by means of agitating her (especially on a dark evening when we'd see a stranger) and praising her whenever she started to bark. Quickly added the command and started just asking her to bark and praising that, without agitation anymore. None of these work with Audry (though maybe immitation would). I have started to praise her and say "bark!" when she does bark while playing with my other dog. I HOPE to be able to teach her to bark on command that way, and then ask her to bark at the end of every track. Would this work?

[marjolein]

They don't have to bark in Holland, although you can chose to go this route anyway. You can teach your dog to be a totverbeller or a totverweiser. A tot verbeller is a dog who has to do the last part of the track off lead and once he's found the animal, he has to sit and bark.
A totverweiser has to work the last part of the track off lead too, but has to come back once he's found the animal with the bringsel in his mouth. A bringsel is a small piece of leather attached to the dogs collar.
We don't use either of these methods and just follow our dogs on the lead till the end.

It's not that difficult to teach a dog to bark but every dog needs a different approach.
I tough Mowgli to bark by holding food in front of her nose. She's quite clever and she soon knew that barking meant food. When this worked 100%, I added a cue word and eventually a sign. She does it on command now.
Daan needed another approach. I always play with her and when it gets rough, she'll start barking. Everytime she did this, I gave her food and from that point I started with the verbal and physical cue. Hope this helps!!

[Irena]

Thanks a lot, Marjolein! Great info, as always!

[syrinx]

;D Irena, you crack me up! I would LOVE to have seen your brother barking for a pancake. I bet that was your idea!!!!!!
Wendy
;D ;D

[alex]

Ah, all these tips on teaching the barking for the 'find' are great! I'll stash them for our next SAR sessions......... Unfortunately, I don't have a brother I can trick into barking for a pancake!