Tracking is something I have done since I was a little kid, so I really enjoy it. I taught Rudi to track when he was a few weeks old. I got him for Christmas when I was eight, so I've been tracking for five years. I named him Rudi after Rudolph. He moved to live with my grandmother when he was a year old, because my little sister kept putting a coolar and leash on him, which he didn't like. So he put his teeth on her. He didn't really bite her, but it was like a warning. So, he moved to my grandmother's. If he bit her, he would've had to been put down. I miss him. He's not as wild now, and neither is my sister, so he could come home, if my cat didn't hate him. So he's still there, and I spend the night with her whenever we want to track the next morning.
Like I said in my first blog post, there are different types of tracking: TD, TDX, and VST. Each type of track has different requirements. According to the American Kennel Club, or AKC, these are the requirements for a TD test: Track length 440-500 yards. The dog must work 3-5 turns. Age of the track 30 minutes to 2 hours old. Two articles in track one at the start of the track and one at the end. The end cloth will always be a glove or leather wallet. These same conditions are used for TD certification. According to the American Kennel Club, or AKC, these are the requirements for a TDX test: The track in length must be 800-1000 yards. The track will have anywhere from 5-7 turns. Their will be 4 articles through out the track all cloth or leather scent articles. The age of the track will be 3-5 hours old. Their will be two sets of fresher cross tracks crossing the track in two different areas of the track. They have two obstacles it can be woods, creeks, roads or fences. According to the American Kennel Club, or AKC, these are the requirements for a VST test: Track length 600-800 yards. 4 scent articles which will be cloth, leather, plastic, Metal. The age of the track will be 3-5 hours old. Their will be three surface changes. Vegetation, cement, Asphalt, dirt , gravel..etc. the track will be close to buildings through parking garages and will include a moment of truth turn in the middle of a parking lot. But to track, you need a certification. I got my certification when I was eight years old. It's a very simple few legs, usually in grass: very easy. Rudi and I had trained for about nine months to prepare for this test. We went to Bernheim Forest to track for a judge and good friend of my grandmother, Tony. I tracked the leg, and though I had trouble reading Rudi, we passed! Reading your dog is all about paying attention to your dogs body language and trying to figure out what he/she is telling you. I was so excited! I could finally start tracking tests to get my champion tracker! Here's a picture of us when we passed.
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Jillian M.I am Jillian. I've been tracking since I was eight and I love what I do. Archives
May 2017
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