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START ROUTINE So now you have all your equipment and are ready to start tracking! One of the first things that you will need to do is develop your START routine and do the exact same thing from day one. What is a START routine, allow me to explain. A START routine is a series of events that occur to signal to your dog that you are going tracking. If the same things occur every time you go to track with your dog, he or she will soon learn that once these things happen, tracking is going to follow. Let’s talk about what your START routine can/should be. Even if you are blessed with an abundance of tracking land right outside your door, I suggest that you put your dog in its crate in the car before you go out to lay your track. You will be driving to a test, so this is what your dog should become accustom to is getting out of its crate. Your dog should be in the crate for some time, as this is what will occur when you are at a tracking test. Exiting the crate, your dog should become accustomed to having its collar and lead put on before leaving the crate. This is required at tracking tests where dogs must be on leash at ALL times, so this is a good opportunity to get your dog used to the procedure from day one. Before even leaving the crate though, you should, in front of your dog’s crate get out the harness, straighten out the long line, and if you wear gloves and/or a vest for tracking, these should be put on in front of the dog. You will be amazed how quickly your dog will pick up on the cues of watching you get out the equipment and get dressed for tracking. Now, you have put the dog’s collar and leash on and your dog has exited the crate. The very first thing we want them to do is “go potty”. Bad habits can be started on the track of urinating, rather than tracking if you don’t attend to “business” first. Again, after your dog learns this game, they will quickly eliminate for you so they can go tracking. Now we are going to walk up to the start flag. How we do that is also very important. New tracking dogs should be given a straight on approach to the start flag. About 30-40 paces before the start flag, we have the dog sit, put on their harness, and attach the lead to the harness. Tracking dogs can wear a collar along with their harness, so you do not have to remove their collar. Then you will take the dog to the flag with your left hand underneath the strap of the harness that goes over the back. Make sure that your leash is off to your right side, so it does not get tangled over you or the dog. As you approach the first flag, tell your dog to down so that it can get a good whiff of the start article (a glove or sock) and count to five before releasing your dog to track. If your dog has a hard time responding to an automatic command to down, you can work on this in your yard by placing a glove or sock on the ground, and encouraging the down. Even give them a treat for a quick response. Having a consistent START routine each and every time you go tracking will get your dog’s mind totally focused to the job ahead of them. Look to this column next month to start your first track!! |
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