When to Start

[blueticker17]

Glad to see a board that sees the importance of real world traking not just for ribbons.
Anyway,
I have a 12 week old and want to start training as early as possible but do not want to waste our time or mess things up due to his lack of attention. When should I start(age)? Anthing else that you know that I do not would also be appreciated.
Thanks

[Wetdog]

Welcome to the board Blueticker17(as in hound?) I"m guessing you must be in the US South somewhere? It nice to have you join us.

There are several different kinds of tracking. What specifically did you have in mind? Like hunting----or something more along the lines of following a scent that you give him?
Like tracking a person over several different type surfaces?

[blueticker17]

I am in the South and yes I have a coonhound, thanks.
I am also an avid archery hunter and am planning on making a great deer tracker out of my new friend. I figured on training with scent trails I have laid and working up as not to kill his confidence. Any pointers would be great.

[Wetdog]

I'd check the hunting regulations first if I were you. Most states do not allow deer hunting with dogs.


For training tracking dogs to follow a human scent, you can use this: The Koehler Method of Training Tracking Dogs by William R. Koehler (Hardcover - Jun 1984)
13 Used & new from $15.76

It is available on Amazon.com.

It will show you how to train to follow a specific scent, and what you need to know as a handler to be able to read what your dog is telling you.

[blueticker17]

I am wanting to use the dog to track blood of wounded deer. It is legal to do this in the south. Will taining to track human scent help in my needs?

[Wetdog]

Blood tracking is relatively easy---many people on the board here do it.

Just take a fresh skin, tie it with a string and lay a track. Then let your dog follow it on a long line check cord.

You may need some small stiff wire flags(like construction crews use) to mark the turns in the track.

I'd still recommend getting the Koehler book. YOU will need to know how to track and how wind, atmospheric conditions(dry or damp etc.), dew and so on affect the scent dispersion.

Get the book and go through the course with your dog---you'll both have fun. And you'll be able to do a LOT more than just blood tracking, I'm betting you'll really like it.

PS: A piece of meat will also work for laying track, the fresher the better. Save some of the internal organs and skin for track laying the next time you butcher. Keep them in ziplock freezer bags, and thaw out well when you want to use them.

[Wetdog]

BTW---you might also want to check out Koehler's book on Open Obedience.

You have a versitile hunting dog---training to retrieving and Gun dog will let you get the most out of your dog's abilities.

Also, training to retrieve is importat to tracking---tracking is nothing more than just training to retrieve by scent rather than sight. Dogs already know how to track---the retrieval training is how YOU learn to communicate with your dog what you want him to do, and how HE communicates to you what is there.

[marjolein]

There is a great book about blood tracking available from John Jeanneney which can be found here: www.born-to-track.com/

Although I do have a blood tracking qualification, I feel I'm not qualified enough to give you proper advice. I'n just too new to this I feel. This book is really good and gives more specific information about bloodtracking than any other tracking book I've read.

[calla]

I do know John personally since I also have a Dachshund. His book is great. He tells you how to do it the European way. We do a lot of tracking with our Weimis and have the official blood-tracking tests called "Verbandsschweissprüfung" 20 and 40 h.In Germany we do not use human scent in training a bloodtracker. We also don´t use a skin for tracking.Just get yourself a small plastic bottle, punch in a whole and every step you take leave a drop or two of blood. Make it easier in the beginning.Make alsways sure you mark your track (e.g.cottonballs or chalk).
Just read the book. It will take a lot of patience and a dog with willingness to find to be a good tracker.
Good luck.
Nadja

[tasha]

I've been given a little bit of intestines to use for the pups I have as an introduction. Was told to put a little of it on the end of a fishing line and then trail it a short distance to introduce it. I love johns books very useful.