Feb 13

I have no video of this Episode of tracking. I deleted all my video hoping to get my map photos to upload to Google photos. I thought I'd already uploaded it to YouTube. I hadn't.  We ran a two-hundred-yard track with a bag drag to build confidence. A puppy ran across the already laid track and boys were flying drones nearby. Nimrod stopped and pondered at the place where the puppy and her owner crossed the track. He clearly understood that was not his track and got back to work. When we came abreast of the drones Nimrod had another ponder. This time I had to throw food on the track to refocus him.

The rules say a tracking test is not timed but if a dog is not working the team will fail. How long should I let Nimrod stop and stare before prompting him to get back to work?  

Comments

  1. Jack's JourneyFebruary 16, 2025 at 5:06 PM

    Great question Heidi. We have a couple students dealing with "distracted stare". Regarding how long to allow-I would say 10 seconds, then something needs to change. Does he have a strong LEAVE IT command/response? If yes, you could quietly say that and presumably he would turn toward you and the track and get back to work. If you dont have a rock solid LEAVE IT, IN TRAINING you could quietly say LEAVE IT while you walk forward, take his harness and direct him back to the track. If you are consistent IN TRAINING, then eventually in a test as he stares off at a horse (for example) you could quietly say LEAVE IT and he would understand to turn back and get to work. The judges would not object to a soft command. The judges want to see the dog successfully working the track. The judges don't want the tracks after yours to be age-ing while your dog wastes time. So you are smart to recognize that NOW is the time to work on getting your little day dreamer to refocus. We can talk about this more in class too.

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