If you're training a tracker, it's important to be aware of the guidelines and rules for tracking dog certification from the Service Dogs of America. In real-life tracking situations, dogs will need to adapt to various terrains and weather conditions, using a scent in the air or on the ground. The SDA recognizes that a successful tracker finds the object and scores on a pass or fail basis. Knowing the rules and requirements for a tracking dog will help you train a tracker.
-
General Tracking Rules for Service Dogs of America
-
The general tracking guidelines that extend throughout the three levels of tracking are lead requirements, stating that a lead must be 15 to 40 feet long and that the handler must not use it to guide the dog whatsoever. Dogs should be moving at a brisk pace, judges will be looking for dogs who are enthusiastic, focused and alert. A dog won't be penalized for moving slowly, as long as they are on task the entire time. Dogs with aggressive or fearful demeanor may be penalized or disqualified.
Different Levels of Tracking Title
-
To be certified as a Master Tracker, a dog must first progress through the lower tracking levels, Tracking 1 and Tracking 2. At the T1 level, dogs must demonstrate they understand the fundamentals of tracking, within the guidelines set forth in the tracking 1 exercises. At T2 level, dogs must demonstrate they have a tracking instinct and are able to successfully track, as defined by the rules and guidelines for tracking level 2 exercises. Finally, a dog who wishes to be a Master Tracker must demonstrate themselves to be reliable and accomplished, performing tracking exercises in a reality-based situation.
Guidelines for Laying a Track
-
To be legal, tracks must be made over natural terrain, no alterations to the terrain may be made and the length of the track may not be altered at any level. Individual legs of the track may be made shorter or longer, to deal with naturally occurring obstacles such as ponds, busy streets or other dangers. All articles being tracked must be marked with a number corresponding to the number of the track. Track layers must mark their track as it is being laid, making note of the number of paces, physical landmarks and obstacles, as well as the types of articles to be tracked and their location. This will become the back of the scorecard, for judge's notes. The items to be tracked must be of wood, leather, cloth, carpet, metal or any other item approved by the judge. Small enough to fit in hand and also something that may be tracked in a real life situation, such as a wallet, sock, glove, keys or a hat.
Exercises for Tracking
-
At level 1, the tracking requirements are minimal, the handler lays a small track, 300 to 350 paces long with two articles and two corners, with one article being 110 yards after the start of the track and the other being at the end. At level 2, the track is 1200 paces, contains four legs and three corners, and the terrain must be more difficult than is allowed for level 1 events. Finally, the master tracker must actually find the track himself, within a 50-by-50 flagged area, and traverse the track on his own. There are more turns and articles at this level and the terrain is much more difficult. Unlike the first two levels, where the handler laid the track, at the master level, it is laid by someone else.
Tracking Certification
-
All judges and track layers must be certified by the Service Dogs of America. Additionally, any club offering this title must, by SDA rules, be a member in good standing of the Service Dogs of America.
-