There are different ways to learn the dog tracking, the way you describe you see people over here doing it as well, the way with the square, I describe once how we started, I found the thread and placed it here.
Explanation tracking for Tracy jo
We started young with a puppy, try to find a club with good trainers, so that they can help you with it.
I said it allready, there are many ways. See whats fits best with you and your dog!