Iris' Den
Iris' Tracking Page
Graphic providied by Babycass's Den
Tracking is another thing that GSD's excell at. Iris isn't the greatest, but many, many GSD's have gotten tracking titles. One reason they excell in Search & Rescue is because of their amazing tracking abilities.
From getting a simple TD to receiving a Champion Tracker, it's all hard work. One way to teach tracking is in every foot-step, put a treat down (hot dog, etc.). Then gradually have less and less hot dogs until there are none left on the track. That's how I started Iris.
The different AKC tracking titles are:
TD (Tracking Dog)
TDX (Tracking Dog Excellent)
VST (Variable Surface Tracker)
CT (Champion Tracker, there is no test for this, it's just the completion of the first 3 tracking titles)
In AKC tracking, you can either have a buckle collar or a harness on the dog while he's on the track. In schutzhund, you can have what is sometimes called a "belly harness." The Germans use it and when their dogs stop sniffing, they give a correction and this and the dog continues. At the first level in AKC, you must have the dog on a 15' lunge line.
Most GSD's, if you work at it, can really excell in tracking. Maybe a Bloodhound has a better nose, but they can still do it!!!!!
Here are some tracking links:
The Tracking Page
The AKC's tracking page
Moraine Tracking Club
