Our tracking classes run for one and a half to two hours for seven classes.  The dates are not consecutive as the last 3 classes are spread out more so student have more time to practice between classes.  To see all the dates check the calendar.

We keep our class sizes small so we can provide individualized attention to all of our students. 

For more information see our FAQ page

To register for a class go to the calendar.

Tracking 1

Cost: $125

Length: 7 Classes of 1 1/2 to 2 hours

WEEK 1—NO DOG

This class introduces the basic elements of tracking.  You learn how to lay a track, how to get your dog to follow a track, how to turn, and how to tell if your dog is on the right track.

When is the next class?  See the Calendar

WHAT IS TRACKING?

In tracking a dog is trained to follow a scent trail to an article.  In this class you will learn to teach your dog to use his nose to find articles such as a glove, placed along a track.  Unlike other dog sports, in tracking the dog is totally in control (a new concept for you and your dog!) and the handler is there only to offer help when they recognize their partner needs it.  As humans we only have ideas of what the dog may be scenting and thus must learn the tracking mantra of “trust your dog”.  You will learn to read your dog and know when help is needed and ways to offer assistance to your dog in different situations even though we cannot know what they are scenting or where the scent goes. 

WHAT’S INVOLVED IN TRAINING?

You will first learn how to show your dog what you expect of him in tracking.  Through laying many short tracks they will learn that we want them to follow a specific scent trail we have laid and to find us an article at the end.

After that as a handler you will learn to read your dog.  You will be able to recognize the subtle differences between tracking what you want them to track and tracking a critter.  You will be able to tell when they are working hard or maybe just taking you for a nice walk in the field.  And you will be able to read when your dog has lost the scent and what you can do to help him get back to where he can find it again.  Remember, it is just you and your dog out there – you need to work as a team.  And in order to hold up your end of the bargain it just takes a lot of time in the field to be able to read all of these indications your dog gives you.

You will also work with your dog somewhere other than at the field shaping what is called an article indication.  It will be great when your dog can follow any track you lay for them but if they can’t somehow tell you they’ve found what you’ve been looking for you will be out of luck!  So we teach our dogs an article indication.  It can be anything you want it to be as long as the dog will do it each and every time it finds an article and you can pick it up. 

WHAT’S INVOLVED WITH CLASS?

Class is 7 weeks long and will be on Wednesday nights for the April class and Wednesday nights and Saturday afternoons for the fall class, all at Carpenter Nature Center – just north of Hastings and west of Prescott.  It will start at 6:00PM for the Wednesday class and noon for the Saturday class and run until dusk or class is done whichever comes first.  Spring classes start mid-April and fall classes mid-August.

Class will begin with going over each person’s previous week of work to see how it is going and to answer any questions and try to solve any problems.  We will then talk about what we are going to learn and practice for the coming week and then we will run tracks

We will cover basic tracking, corners, distance, age, obstacles, map making, keeping a tracking log, line handling, and article indication.  By the end of the 7 weeks if you follow the plan, you should be able to work on your own.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED

For the first week just a buckle collar, 6 ft leash, 3 flags,  piece of cloth and leather the size of a glove to use as articles, watch, clipboard and great treats.   After the first week of class you will need to have at least three more flags, a fitted harness, a 40 foot tracking rope with a clip to attach to the dogs harness, a vest, carpenters apron or something to carry your gear and treats.  It will also be more enjoyable if you have comfortable clothes and shoes or boots as you will spend a lot of time walking.  We will have class regardless of weather and you need to practice in all types of weather – this is how you and your dog learn.  If you decide to go on and test you will have no control over the weather on that particular day!        

WHERE TO TRACK?

Ball fields work great, parks, anywhere there are large areas of grass, tall or short.  The more variety you have in tracking areas the better off you will be in getting your dog different experiences.

SHOULD YOU TEST?

If you like to have fun with your dog then by all means enter a test!  It is a great way to see how your new found skills are working.  I look at it as a sort of treasure hunt with your dog – just the two of you out on an adventure – a challenge so to speak!  The only people usually out in the field with you are two judges and the person who laid your track.  They stay as far behind as they can so as to not disrupt your team work.  This is so different from testing in other venues – you really do feel like it is just you and your dog.

WHAT TRACKING TITLES CAN BE EARNED?

TD: Tracking Dog – 440 to 500yd track, 30 minutes to 2hrs old, 3 to 5 turns, 2 articles

TDX:  Tracking Dog Excellent – 800 to 1,000yds, 3 to 5hrs old, 5 to 7 turns, two sets of cross-tracks, 4 articles

VST:  Variable Surface Tracker – 600 to 800yds, 3 different surfaces (2 devoid of vegetation at least one third of the track), 3 to 5hrs old, one leather, one fabric, one plastic and one metal article

CT:  Champion Tracker – this is for those who pass all three tests.

Each test is a pass/fail and can be taken as many times as you choose. 

BENEFITS OF TRACKING

What I have found and heard from anyone else who does tracking with their dogs, is that it brings to you and your companion a very close bond.  For a timid dog it brings out a new confidence that other sports just don’t do.  It allows your dog to do one thing it loves to do and get rewarded for it – use that nose - and gives you a new found respect for just what they are capable of doing.   And the exercise you both get is fantastic!            

And if you decide to test I think you will be pleased.  The tracking community is a great bunch of people with everyone hoping each team that goes into the field passes.  I have made a lot of wonderful friends this way.  And I didn't do it for the titles, but I did the testing as a challenge for my dogs and myself to see what we could do together - like playing a game.  It is after all about having fun with our dogs.  

And what I love about tracking is that it is a true team sport - there are things each member of the team brings to the tests that neither could do alone.  The dog teaches us an awful lot in tracking quite unlike obedience, agility, etc. where we do all of the teaching.  I'd say the dogs do MOST of the teaching in tracking!

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