Andi Bojovnik - Page 1

Today we had good tracking conditions compared to the past few months, although a bit watery in spots.  Below is a link to our track.  Brenna, 20 mos.
I am thinking I should start adding articles soon, but didn't want to rush things with her.  At what point to you all add in articles?

Thanks,

Cheryl

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpT6S4LuFuo

I would not worry, and introduce articles. You can start them off the track.

Very nice.. she is doing great. Keep up the great work!

I think adding articles depends on how you train them.  My puppy is just 1 year and has not tracked much.  He's a good tracker, good food and hunt drive, but a scatter brain with lots of "oo shiny!" moments so I'm really not doing much tracking until he is more mature and focused.  Just enough to imprint him on the idea of footstep tracking and keeping the nose down.  However he is already trained on articles because I train them "off the track" and don't introduce them until I like the overall pace, rhythm, and attitude of the dog's tracking.  We are not at that point yet but he can do articles off the track, like if I scatter a dozen of them in the driveway we play a game where I say "search" and then he finds one and platzs on it (knows what to do without the command), I give him a reward (treat), he knows to *remain* platz until I say, "OK, search!" and then he finds another, etc.  His platz is very quick, straight, and he doesn't chew or nuzzle the article, and has been doing articles since he was about 3 months old.  Can't wait to put them on the track but that will be a while, probably next summer.  At that point I usually start with many straight "article tracks" each with a dozen or so articles with easy conditions (manicured grass or something lush).  There are so many ways, that's just what works for us!