Quote:
Originally Posted by AlliDobie  I've never seen or heard of it either. It's how Dean Calderon trains and he's been VERY successful and especially in tracking. Was hoping others using this method would chime in and see if I'm doing it correctly lol Sent from my iPhone using Petguide.com Free App |
You and I are not Dean Calderon. To progress to that level takes a long time and a lot of practice, and not just a little talent. I would not try blocking a puppy in the motivational stage of tracking. Certainly if i did not possess the skills to quickly react to what I am reading from the dog. No novice to tracking has yet attained that ability.
I recently started using 2 lines in tracking. However that is with a dog that is further along in tracking (beyond the motivational stage and has learned articles). The one line is attached to the fur saver and I try to maintain constant though light pressure (think thumb and forefinger). The other line is attached to a cable choke collar that I give little pops to, in attempt to block unwanted behavior like veering more than a body length off track or going too fast.
I think it better at this stage of the puppies development to just use the food as the motivator. if there is enough reward the puppy will maintain something close to proper speed.
The puppy needs to work through things, otherwise they become unsure in the work if you try to "do the work for them" by steering. The food is enough reward to motivate the puppy to keep working, especially if they are hungry.
One thing I always try to remember is that even though I laid the track and should know where it goes, the dog is much better at sniffing out the track than I am at seeing the track or remembering exactly where I laid it. My TD, Lance Collins (who also has had great success in tracking), always says in his presentations that dogs are GENIUSES when it comes to tracking, and that we never give them enough credit for what their instincts are capable of.
Linear Mode
