GWPSage
Trained
Back in the saddle again
Posts: 201
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Post by GWPSage on Feb 23, 2005 13:23:43 GMT -5
Conka and I are starting a tracking club this Saturday morning, HOPEFULLY the gal who runs it and I get along. She was kinda short with me on the phone, but who could blame her. I wonder how many people call with pugs, or english bulldags wanting to go out tracking . She was a bit relieved when I said I had a GSD but still reluctant to offer much advice. I asked her what equiptment was needed she said well we will see if your dog has the drive. I KNOW she has the drive and uses her nose quite well, I have done some (very limited) tracking with her and she will follow a scent. If I am not going the wrong way . I want to be prepared to just jump into the goup that day (unless it is suggested otherwise) rather than sitting in the sideline watching. If anyone has any advice, should I get a harness? Or have her on a flat collar? I use the prong for everything but I dont want to discourage her from pulling on a scent. Thanks for any suggestions!
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Post by Laura on Feb 23, 2005 14:10:04 GMT -5
Just for now, I'd pick up a tracking line, if you're handy with a long line, then I'd get a 30 ft. one, but they do make shorter ones. Leerburg sells a great one, a lightweight composite material that holds up well www.leerburg.com/806-831.htm#1. Actually, now that I'm thinking about it, a horse lunge line would be fine, too, to start. You can always get a harness later on if you decide that you and Conka like it, but I think her flat collar should be sufficient to start off. Have fun, I love tracking !
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GWPSage
Trained
Back in the saddle again
Posts: 201
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Post by GWPSage on Feb 23, 2005 14:15:59 GMT -5
Thanks Laura, I have been reading up on Leerburg's site since I posted! I am really excited about going out and working with her.
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Post by Richard on Feb 23, 2005 20:43:57 GMT -5
Good for you...working your GSD in tracking is fun, good excercise and it's a great way to meet people.
The group I was with was super...very supportive of each other and we learned something from everyone.
Laura is right, start off simple, see how you guys do on tracks and see how your time commitment goes. It does require a lot of time to start off on short straight tracks then lead up to further and more challenging tracks.
One of the best things is watching your dog work a track. Rocky's tail would do a square wagging pattern. I knew then he was "working in the zone".
Remember, make sure you guys have fun!
-Richard
ps...another reason for the standoffishness of the lady running the club is because lots of people come out and then say, "it's not what I thought it was". As I noted above, tracking needs to be done on a regular basis to keep both you and Conka's skills sharp.
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Post by sibemom on Feb 23, 2005 20:50:03 GMT -5
That is great to hear ;D I played around with it a bit with Blade and now especially Willow. We don't have any clubs of that sort near by I wish we did, but Richard is right it takes alot of time and work. We just do it for fun Willow has a GREAT NOSE. I lay some simple tracks for her and she is so proud of herself following the scent. I am sure you two will have great fun no matter what. Nothing better than watching a dog work at what they are good at
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GWPSage
Trained
Back in the saddle again
Posts: 201
|
Post by GWPSage on Feb 24, 2005 13:19:10 GMT -5
I am very excited about doing this, I NEED something to keep me motivated. Conka is so funny when she starts following a scent, she absolutly loves to work. The dog has nerves of steel, and I am hopeing to do some SAR work with her as well. That is IF I can pass a physical. But that is a long way down the road. My delemma right now is a new friend (amazing trainer) needs a service dog for her daughter. I have offered this gal Conka in the past, but decided she needed more time to mature. Now she is inquiring about her again. I am really torn as to what to do. Her daughter lives in a not- so- good part of town and is set on a GSD but not too many "light her fire". It was not my intention to raise her to be a service dog its just so hard to find a good solid dog (let alone a GSD). I dont know decisions decisions.
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Post by DivineOblivion19 on Feb 24, 2005 13:32:33 GMT -5
I didn't read all the replies! I don't know anything about tracking, but I just wanted to say that I think it's great you want to do tracking with your dogs, whether it be a GSD, Pug or EBD!!! (I'm sorry, I new to the board and not familiar with your dogs and their names... )
Anyway, I'm a veterinary assistant and there's a couple who comes in. The husband breeds his Labs for hunting and he likes to do tracking with them as well. The wife has a tiny little Yorkie and the husband is always giving the wife a hard time for having a dog that can't do anything but sit in someone's lap. Well, to prove hubby wrong, she started tracking with her Yorkie!!! And wouldn't you know it, that little thing does a damn fine job! Her husband doesn't make fun of her anymore... too much anyway. So good luck with tracking! Hopefully the trainer will not be rude... ;D
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