Making Scents of Tracking
by
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In a recent conversation with a close tracking friend of mine, the lack of availability of good books to instruct a handler on how to teach their dog to track was our topic of discussion. My friend commented it was probably because to put down on paper how to start a tracking dog would be like putting in writing how to ride a bike. What a wonderful analogy! We all remember the trials and tribulations of learning to ride a bike. We struggled to find the elusive balance point as a host of variables changed minute by minute. Was the bike on flat ground? Going uphill? Downhill? Was the ground surface grassy, a smooth sidewalk, or rocky parking lot? Every element had to be readjusted for as it was thrown our way. So too with starting a tracking dog. This analogy perfectly illustrates why there are so few absolute or rigid rules in tracking. Thankfully, however, there are some sound basic principles to guide us like training wheels on a bike.
When your dog has started to learn the game, you will work with him and consistently adjust your training schedule to fulfill his needs. But, when you first start the tracking experience, it's important to accomplish some specific goals in the first month of training. In the first four weeks be sure to:
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Book Details
About the Book
Would you like to become part of the sport of tracking? Is it important to you that your dog tracks well? Then this book is for you. It teaches the "how-to's" and "whys" of crucial handler skills so you can turn your dog into a winning tracker.
Within the pages of MAKING SCENTS OF TRACKING are detailed handler training exercises and self-tests to help you and your dog progress.
A well known tracking expert, Ruth Harris, read the manuscript and stated, “I have gone over your book thoroughly and find it well written. There is nothing in your description of how to start a dog on the track that I could add to. In fact, I think you have supplied details that I find lacking in other ‘how to’ books. I would recommend your book without exception.”
MAKING SCENTS OF TRACKING covers all aspects of training and preparing your dog for AKC tracking.
"Have just got your book and stayed up late to finish reading it! Loved it!!" - TH
"Love your book! Can't read fast enough!" JM
"Deb, I am so enjoying the book and finding so many helpful hints. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!" CT
"Thanks for such a motivational and wonderful approach to the world of tracking." LC
"I just finished reading your excellent book. I am so impressed with the simplicity and down to earth approach that you use." NS
"Thanks for reawakening the tracking urge in me and reminding me of happy times from the past. I'm heading BACK to the tracking fields!" TM
"Your book is great! I've tried tracking before, but without any success. Your book has cleared several things up in my mind and I now feel I CAN do this! Thanks for explaining the "whys" of what handlers do." LB
About the Author
Deborah Davis is a mid-west tracker, seminar leader, and author who has placed AKC tracking titles on multiple dogs. She is Tracking Chair for the upcoming American Belgian Tervuren Club (ABTC) 2010 Nationals Dog Show.
Successfully training, handling and showing both dogs and horses her entire adult life, Davis bases her tracking training methods on two basic premises. First, we don’t teach dogs how to track – they are born knowing how to track. As handlers, our job is to teach them to want to track for us and to follow a particular scent trail of our choosing. Second, if the dog is not doing his job the handler must be doing something wrong.
Deborah travels the