Hello, and welcome to Melody's tracking page! On this page we will talk about the progress Melody is making as well as the rules and regulations of this sport.
I'm sure many of you are wondering what tracking is all about. Tracking is basically the competition version of a search and rescue. The dogs follow a human scent that has been aged at least 30 min. The handlers follow their dogs on a long leash and can encourage them but not lead them. The dog has to show that he/she can follow a scent on its own. Of course the track gets harder with each title.
So what are the titles? The following has been taken directly from the AKC tracking page.
Tracking Dog (TD)
A dog earns a TD by following a track 440 to 500 yards long with three to five changes of direction. The track is laid by a human track layer and is "aged" 30 minutes to two hours before the dog begins scenting. The goal is to use the scented track to locate an article left at the end of the trail by the track layer. The owner follows the dog on a long leash and can encourage the dog during the tracking test.
Tracking Dog Excellent (TDX)
The TDX is earned by following an "older" track (three to five hours) that is also longer (800 to 1,000 yard) and has five to seven directional changes with the additional challenge of human cross tracks.
Variable Surface Tracking (VST)
In the real world, dogs track through urban settings, as well as through wilderness. A VST dog has demonstrated this ability by following a three- to five-hour-old track that may take him down a street, through a building and other areas devoid of vegetation.
Champion Tracker (CT)
A dog that has successfully completed all three tracking titles (TD, TDX and VST) earns the prestigious title of Champion Tracker.
At the moment Melody has not been to a trial. We are still learning the basics, and have yet to see if she can track 500 yards! That's a LONG way! But I have no doubts in her nose....as they say, the nose knows. hehe. The next page will go over how we are training Melody and how she is coming along.
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Agility|Tracking|Obedience|Herding
Awards we have won