Ilea 8 Months

Tracking is run by AKC and Schutzhund groups. A person walks an usually unknown pattern from a few hundred yards to a thousand yards and can discard objects along the way. The objects may be fabric, plastic, leather, metal, etc. and about the size of a wallet. Some time later, from 30 minutes to several hours, the handler and dog on a long leash start the pattern and the dog must indicate all the discarded objects and lead the handler alond the pattern to the end. At the higher levels, there are all kinds of problems for the dogs to work through like crossing a road or stream, going through a parking garage, coping with changes in surfaces such as lawns, weeds, brush, gravel, sand, pavement, wood chips, stairs, through fences, woods, brush and different venues such as open farm fields to college campuses where many other people have walked across the pattern. Nature also provides distractions such as deer, rabbits, geese, moles, mice, other dogs, cats, horses, sheep, etc. It is done in all kinds of weather except electrical storms and may even be done at night. The handler may not direct the dog but can help the dog in other ways such as having the dog wait while a truck passes on the road or avoids a hornet’s nest or a well aged body of a dead animal. It is a great demonstration of teamwork and an advanced relationship with your dog. Done properly, both you and your dog will have the time-of-your-life!!! And, you may go on to search and rescue, indicating drugs, arson, finding dead bodies, cancer detecting, etc. And, it can help the handler stay in good physical condition. @Jil