Message
- Error
Tracking
TRACKING EXERCISES
Tracking Generally. In real life tracking and trailing, the working dog must be
able to adapt to various situations depending upon weather, terrain, and scent in order to do its job. The dog may rely on ground scent, air scent, or switch back and forth between the two. A working dog is only successful in its track when it attains its goal - finding that which is sought. Often, time is of the essence. With this in mind, all tracking titles are judged as Pass/Fail basis, with the dog successfully reaching the end of the track, and the handler being able to present the articles placed on the track. A timely "find" is the essence of the exercise and must be the criteria for a passing notation.
A. General Rules
1. All tracking titles are sequential. The sequence is:
Tracking-1 (T-1)
Tracking-2 (T-2)
Master track (MT)
2. All tracking must be done on lead. Acceptable tracking line length is a
minimum of 15 feet, and a maximum of 40 feet. Free tracking is prohibited.
The Judge may request a line length check, to ensure that the lead is of correct
length.
3. While running the track the handler may move up or down the line while
staying between the 15 foot and 40 foot length of line from the dog. In special
circumstances involving safety (such as crossing a road or navigating an
obstacle), or where otherwise indicated by the judge, the handler may move
closer to the dog, but must return to, at least, the minimum distance of 15 feet
after the safety hazard or problem has been negotiated.
4. Tracking may be done with the line attached to a standard tracking harness, a
Bottcher harness, or to the dead ring on a fur saver collar. The position of the
line with respect to the dog (on top, underneath, or beside) is unimportant, as
long as the dog may freely move while working the track.
5. Reporting for the track will done by the handler and dog only. Tracks will be assigned by draw at the trial. The judge may request a line length check immediately following the draw. Handlers are not required to formally report in for their track, but may directly proceed to the start flag at the judge's instruction
6. The handler may offer verbal encouragement to the dog, but may not guide
the dog by means of leash correction or other physical or verbal influence.
7. Ideal tracking speed should be a brisk pace, full of intensity, yet without being
hectic. The ideal picture of a tracking dog is one that is enthusiastic and alert,
continuously working. A slower pace or changing pace of tracking is not
faulty as long as the dog is working.
8. Articles are considered "found" when they are presented to the judge at the
conclusion of the track. Any method of indication is acceptable, however,
harsh commands or rough treatment of a dog at an article will result in
automatic failure of the track.
10. A dog that shows extreme fear or whose demeanor gives the Judge a reason to
believe that the dog may not be safely examined must be dismissed by the judge
and given a "fail."
11. A club offering this title must be an affiliated Service Dogs of America club in good standing.
12. The trial judge must be a certified SDA judge in good standing.
B. Tracklaying Guidelines
1. All tracks shall be laid in terrain "as available" and as best conforms to the
"ground cover" specifications for each tracking level. However, terrain must
be such that the tracklayer, dog, handler, and judge may safely navigate the track.
The length of the tracks may not be shortened, but with the judge's approval due to the nature of the tracking area, the length of an indiviual leg or shape of the track may be modified. Master Tracks may pass through public areas as long as the handler observes local leash laws.
2. A "pace" shall be counted as one (1) step at a normal walking speed.
3. Articles must be marked with a number corresponding to the track.
4. Tracklayers must map their tracks as they are being laid, with appropriate
landmarks, number of paces per leg, obstacles, and location and type of
articles. The map of the track will be drawn on the official score sheet.
5. Acceptable materials for articles include cloth, wood, carpet, leather, metal, or
any item approved by the judge. Special emphasis should be placed on articles
that resemble items that may be found in a real life search, such as a wallet,
keys, hat, or sock. Size of the articles may vary, but should approximate glove
size unless otherwise specified.
6. The tracklayer must be an SDA member in good standing and available to
walk behind the judge as the tracking team is being evaluated. Should the dog
lose the track or stop working, the judge may terminate the track. This will be
noted as "Fail" on the official score sheet. With the judge's permission, the
team may continue to work out the track, as a training exercise; however, the
judge and tracklayer may move on to the next track.
C. Tracking Exercises:
TRACKING 1 (T1)
1. TRACKING 1 (T1). This tracking title demonstrates that the dog
understands the fundamentals of tracking.
a. The handler will lay the track. The judge must approve the direction
and shape of the track prior to tracklaying.
b. The length of the track will be 300 to 350 paces. Ground cover should
be moderate. There will be no obstacles on the Track.
c. The start of the track will be marked with a start flag. The dog will be
allowed one restart, as long as the handler has not left the start flag.
d. The track will consist of 3 legs and 2 corners. The first corner will be
after a minimum of 100 paces.
e. Turns can be two rights, two left, or one of each, as approved by the
judge prior to laying the track.
f. The track must age for 20 - 30 minutes.
g. There will be two articles. There is no scent article at the start of a T1 track.
The judge must approve the articles prior to the handler laying the track. The
first article will be at a minimum distance of 100 paces from the start, and the
second article will be at the end. The articles may not be placed within 30
paces of any corner. The handler may reward the dog at the articles, as long
as it is not disruptive to the flow of the track. The handler will hold each
article up for the judge to see after the find is made.
h. Upon finding the last article, the handler will present all found articles
to the judge.
i. The maximum time limit allowed for successfully completing this
tracking test is fifteen (15) minutes.
TRACKING 2 (T2)
2. TRACKING 2 (T2). This is an intermediate tracking title and demonstrates
that a dog has very good tracking instincts and ability.
a. A person other than the handler will lay the track.
b. The length of the track will be 1200 paces. Cover should be moderate
to heavy, and may include an obstacle such as crossing a road, fence,
gully, stream, downed log, woods, or other obstacle. There should be
at least one change of cover.
c. The start of the track will be marked with a start flag. The
dog must pick up the direction of the track. The dog will be allowed
one restart, as long as the handler has not left the start flag.
d. The track will consist of 4 legs and 3 corners. The first corner will be
after a minimum of 300 paces. Turns should approximate 90-degree
turns, but may be slightly open or slightly acute, as dictated by the
terrain.
e. Turns can be right, left and appropriate to the available grounds, so long as
all turns are not in the same direction.
f. The track must age for approximatly 1 hour.
g. There will be three articles. The judge must approve the articles prior
to the tracklayer laying the track. The first article will be a scent article
at the start of the track, and may be carried by the handler while
running the track. The second article will be on the second or third leg,
and the final article will be at the end. The handler may reward the dog
at the articles, as long as it is not disruptive to the flow of the track.
The handler will hold each article up for the judge to see after the find
is made.
h. The scent article does not need to be presented to the judge in order to pass
the track.
i. The maximum time limit allowed for successfully completing this
tracking test is thirty (30) minutes.
MASTER TRACK (MT)
3. MASTER TRACK (MT). This reality based tracking title demonstrates that the dog is an accomplished, reliable tracker
a. A person other than the handler will lay the track.
b. The length of the track will be approximately 1800 paces.
c. The start of the track will be a designated area marked by 4 flags,
approximately 50' x 50', wherein the dog must locate the track and
follow accordingly. The judge will lay out the flags for the start area.
The tracklayer is the only one with a right to walk inside the start area.
d. The track will consist of at least three turns, and not more than five.
Due to the extreme length, the tracklayer may occasionally leave a
marker to aid in judging the track, however, the marker may not be left
within 50 feet of any corner. Markers must also be noted on the track
map. Markers must be discreet, as not to cue the dog, and must be
approved by the judge prior to laying the track.
e. Turns can be right or left as appropriate to the available grounds
f. The track must age for approximatly 1 hour.
g. There will be four articles. The judge must approve the articles prior to
the tracklayer laying the track, however, the Master Track articles
must be items of clothing, such as a hat, glove, sock, shoe, or shirt.
The final article will be a shirt or coat. The first article will be a scent
article at the start of the track, and may be carried by the handler while
running the track. The second article will be on the second leg, the
third article will be at least 800 paces later and the final article will be
at the end. The handler may reward the dog at the articles, as long as it
is not disruptive to the flow of the track. The handler will hold each
article up for the judge to see after the find is made.
h. The scent article does not need to be presented to the judge in order to pass
the track.
i. At that point the test is complete and the judge shall direct the
handler/dog team to a point off the tracking field.
j. The maximum time limit allowed for successfully completing this
tracking test is forty-five (45) minutes.
