SHOPPER'S HELPER — Canine Tracking and Trailing
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Tracking / Trailing

Try Tracking! The Puppy Tracking Primer
Tracking is something that comes naturally to each and every dog, no matter what age, what breed or what size. Teaching your dog to track is the perfect to way to spend time together, build your relationship and challenge both of you mentally and physically. You can teach very young puppies to track even before they can start formal obedience training, and these positive methods work with adult dogs too.  Any age dog can be taught to track—6 week-old puppies on up to senior citizens. You’ll gain a new-found respect for just how smart your dog is.

Puppy Tracking Primer (1992)
By Carolyn Krause. Tracking strengthens your relationship with your dog more than any other activity, builds confidence in a timid dog, steadies a rowdy one, gives a break from conformation or obedience. At 7 weeks a puppy's mental equipment is completely switched on but not cluttered with learned behavior; it is the best time ever to start him tracking! The method in this little book is the easiest way to train the best tracking dog you'll ever have. (But it works with adult dogs, too.) The goal of the lesson plan is to prepare a dog to pass the AKC Tracking Dog test and lay the ground work for the Tracking Dog Excellent test. The plan involves a series of easy puzzles for the puppy/dog to solve each day. Uses food as an incentive. Well-organized, easy-to-follow plan.

Click 'N' Sniff: Clicker Training for Scent Discrimination
This 2001 booklet was written by Deb Jones. The scent discrimination exercise in Utility obedience class is one that can cause many trainers and their dogs unnecessary stress and frustration. This booklet will help you and your dog achieve success painlessly! Contents include: Introduction; Equipment; Clicker Training Skills; Foundation skills; Training steps; Data Sheet; and a list of Resources.

A Practical Guide to Training and Working the Trailing Dog (2001)
By John Lutenberg & Linda Porter. A guideline for training and maintenance of the trailing dog. Much of the book consists of basic training methods for new and experienced handlers so they fully understand the process of selecting, training and working a trailing dog. It also contains tips on how to avoid potential problems or correct existing ones. The book is a combination of personal training experience, working knowledge of trailing dogs and training methods and tips from around the nation which have proven to be sound and reliable.

Simply Scenting

This book was written by Dawn Jecs. An innovative, natural way to teach your dog scent discrimination, designed for utility level obedience. Step-by-step instructions! Extensively illustrated with black & white photos.

Scent and the Scenting Dog (2000)

By William Syrotuck. The theory of scent IN DEPTH!! Classic work upon which scent/tracking training is based. Contents: The sense of smell, Anatomy and physiology, Theories of odor, the human as a scent source, transmission of scent, atmospheric factors and airborn scent, the ground scent picture, analysis of scent picture, working dogs on scent, snow, experiments. Technical, but excellent! Black & white charts, diagrams, graphs.

Foundations of Competitive Tracking: Basic Skills Tape 1 (1998)
By Plumb. How to teach your dog scent discrimination through the use of a scent box, how to lay a track conducive to learning while building basic skills, calmness and confidence in all dogs. Shows the handler how to recognize changes in mood through body posture. Emphasis is on breaking skills down into their most basic form, letting the dog make mistakes and benefit from them. Schutzhund or AKC tracking. (Also see Tape 2, Teaching Precision Tracking). Published by Canine Training Systems, video, 60 Min.

Foundations of Competitive Tracking: Teaching Precision Tape 2 (1998)

By Plumb. Emphasizes track construction for proper learning, how and when to properly wean the dog from food while teaching turns, articles, and obstacles. Also emphasizes the fact that through controlling difficulties and rewards, the dog will develop a consistent footstep to footstep style. This independent problem solving style will prepare your dog for the use of compulsion on the track once calmness, confidence and his problem solving ability are established. Schutzhund or AKC tracking. Published by Canine Training Systems, 60 Min.

Fun Nosework for Dogs: 2nd Edition (2003)
By Roy Hunter. New Expanded 2nd edition! Learn dozens of games to relieve boredom, teach important skills, build confidence and improve performance in obedience, tracking and other dog sports. These games are fun for both you and your dog. They come from a variety of sources: TV, children's games, suggested by other trainers, etc. They're marked for degree of difficulty and special skills needed. Games are generally designed for use in a class and require multiple dogs to be really fun! "Fun Nosework" will teach your dog to enjoy using his nose, and stimulate his primary source of information. Teach specific techniques for tracking and advanced obedience. Outstanding resources for trainers and owners!

Following Ghosts: Developing the Tracking Relationship

By Suzanne Clothier & John Rice. A commonsense approach to tracking/search & rescue based on respect for the dog's natural abilities, positive reinforcement, and keen observation skills. To be successful with this approach, all you need is a good relationship with your dog!

Tracking From the Ground Up (1992)

By Sandy Ganz & Susan Boyd. Takes the participant through all phases of training including many of the common difficulties encountered. Prepares the tracker for Tracking Dog and Tracking Dog Excellent tests.

Tracking Fundamentals Video (1992)

By Sandy Ganz. A five-week program that guides you step-by-step through track laying, mapping, puppy training and adult dog training to a successful T.D. (Tracking Dog) or T.D.X. (Tracking Dog Excellent) title! Author is a well-known instructor and judge. We suggest purchasing the book, Tracking from the Ground Up, to make a complete course for any AKC tracker.

Tracking for Search and Rescue Dogs:  A Practical Manual for Novice and Advanced Handlers (2002)

Written by Boguslaw P. Gorny. Tracking for SAR not only requires that the dog be trained to follow the human scent exclusively, but that he be able to begin tracking in a variety of circumstances, from a variety of scent sources, and in almost any type of terrain and conditions. Most importantly, however, training a SAR dog means sacrificing precision of tracking form for speed and accuracy on the track, in situations where every minute may count in finding search victims and saving their lives. This book gives practical advice on every facet of training dogs for this vital work, from choosing dogs to training tracklayers, from basic training to training with complex search scripts. It is geared to preparing dog and handler for real search situations. However, particularly the first part of the book is also usable by the novice tracker who plans to participate in AKC tracking events.

Component Training for Variable Surface Tracking (1998)
By Presnall & Bergeon. The FIRST step-by-step guide to teach students, instructors and judges the primary concepts of Variable Surface Tracking (VST)! Concepts for training search procedures on variable surfaces are equally successful in training dogs for AKC Tracking, SAR, or police work. Introduces the basics of tracking on variable surfaces, the intent of the regulations; easy to read and follow, suitable for either a beginning or advanced dog. A must-read book! Expand your dog's ability to work on concrete, asphalt, much, dirt, in or around buildings and along roads in urban areas.

Tracking Dog: Theory & Methods (1999)
Glen R. Johnson brought his many years of experience and innovation to write was has become the "bible" of trackers everywhere. His experience ranged from military dog work, to detection of toxic pipeline leaks using dogs. Tracking Dog is the standard for anyone interested in training dogs to track. Included in the book is the Tracking Trainers Handbook, a great reference for working in the field.

Mastering Variable Surface Tracking: Book and Workbook (2004)

By Ed Presnall. Are you looking for a new challenge for your tracking dog? Try VST! Component training is widely recognized as THE way to teach Variable Surface Tracking. This method works equally well for dogs that have already achieved Tracking Dog or Tracking Dog Excellent titles or for beginning trackers. Breaking the complete track down into individual elements and teaching each challenge before putting together a complete track offers handler and dog the opportunity to perfect each element and assures a high rate of success. The book provides excellent information about the sport of tracking and VST in particular as well as a detailed training program to guide you step-by-step to a title. The workbook provides lesson plans and exercises using the various components. Sample training maps and tracking notes show you how to use the components in training and how to evaluate your progress. Together the book and spiral bound workbook provide a unified – and highly successful – training program. 255 B & W photographs & illustrations (book), 110 diagrams (workbook).

Enthusiastic Tracking: A Step by Step Training Handbook (1988)

By William 'Sil' Sanders. Training method described here is a systematic technique that works for almost all dogs. It is a structured and careful method, leaving very little learning to chance. Because the dog must lead the handler down the track, motivational techniques are emphasized throughout. Prepares dog and handler for their first tracking test and TDX test. Includes detailed descriptions of tracklayer and handler procedures, problem avoidance and problem solving techniques. Field maps are available (in the book or separately) for each training session to help lay the correct track. Author is an AKC tracking judge.

Tracking (1993)
By Gottfried Dildei. How to teach the dog to work intensely, confidently, and slowly from footstep to footstep all the way to the end of a winning Schutzhund III track. 50-55 min. Published by Canine Training Systems, video, 50 Min.  

Tracking Fundamentals Video & Book Set (1992)

By Sandy Ganz and Susan Boyd. This excellent video not only shows tracking dogs at work but also outlines a 5-week training program suitable for puppies or adults, including a training schedule, mapping, track laying, turn techniques, and article indication. The companion book, by Sandy Ganz and co-author Susan Boyd, expands the training program to 8 weeks and includes training for the Tracking Dog Excellent (TDX) title. Video running time: 42 Min.

Practical Scent Dog Training
Lue Button,  Step-by-step training guide for air scent, evidence search, disaster search and AKC tracking test. We'd suggest this more for those interested in search and rescue, police work, etc. rather than AKC tracking.

Practical Tracking for Practically Anyone (1995)
By Hogan & Thompson. How-to manual for trackers. Includes certification, what to expect at a test, scent theory, variable surface tracking, sources of equipment. Not much on VST, but gives an idea of what it's about. "What to expect at the test" is great. Avoid those "first test" jitters.

Problem Solving in Training a Tracking Dog
Frawley. Designed to follow Training a Competition Tracking Dog. This is a handling tape that shows competitors common mistakes that everyone makes in handling a tracking dog. (It is NOT a police tape.) video, 72 Min.

Pocket Tracker (1993)
By Mueller. A handy guide to record the results and conditions of your tracking experiences. Part of the "Keeping Track" system. This small spiral notebook has graph paper to draw training tracks, note weather conditions, time track was laid, run, problems encountered, what you were trying to teach, etc. You'll want one for each dog you're working with, and it's a great keepsake after those titles are achieved! (Have the judges autograph it after you pass that test, too.)

Man-Trackers & Dog Handlers in Search and Rescue (2000)
Greg Fuller, Ed Johnson, Robert Koester. Basic Guidelines and Information. This book advocates and assists in combining trackers and handlers in the field. Also useful for search managers in recognizing the value of combining these important resources under some circumstances. Past experiences has clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of combining resources.

Keeping Track (1994)
By Mueller. Whether you're just starting tracking, or have been doing it for years, you'll appreciate these record-keeping tools for both trackers and tracklayers. Blank maps, mobile map maker, includes the Pocket Tracker so you can keep track of your dog's training progress.

Enthusiastic Tracking: Field Maps (1998)
By William 'Sil' Sanders. A structured, systematic training method for TD and TDX! Stresses motivational techniques, tracklayer and handler procedures, problem avoidance and solutions. Field maps for each lesson are in the book, or purchase separately to use in the field and keep your book clean!

About Track Laying (2001)

By Betty Mueller. Gives the reader some basic ideas of what laying a track for a dog to follow is all about. It requires learning some relatively simple skills, but nothing beyond an average person's abilities. There are fun exercises to try on your own or with friends to test each other. A good track layer must be able to plot a track, draw an accurate map of that track, and knows exactly where the track goes. *This is NOT a book on how to train your dog to track!! It is expressly for teaching people the fundamentals of track laying and associated skills.

Be an Expert with Map and Compass (1994)

By Bjourn Kjellstrom. This updated edition includes everything the beginner needs to know about orienteering: understanding map symbols; traveling by map alone, by compass alone, or by map and compass together; finding bearings; sketching maps; traveling in the wilderness; and more. The ultimate reference for anyone who wants to feel more at home in the outdoors.

Tracking: A Blueprint for Learning How (1999)
Jack Kearney puts his years of experience in tracking border-jumpers and lost persons to good use to teach the fundamentals of tracking humans.  

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