Tracking can be used for many practical purposes. From finding a lost article; keys, gloves, wallet, etc. to finding lost people, tracking down escapees, finding people trapped in collapsed buildings, or simply helping you find your way home from a hike.

Our Level I program exceeds the requirements for a CKC Tracking Dog (T.D.) title and our Level II exceeds the requirements for a Tracking Dog Excellent (T.D.X.) title. Instruction is given with each new exercise and students take home an assignment sheet to work on. Many students get together to help each other out and it is extremely beneficial if you have a tracking partner. Even a helper/track layer is a benefit.

The Ground Tracking Course is designed to advance each tracking team (dog/handler) to the next lesson as the team is ready for it! There are no short cuts to a well trained tracking dog! It takes practice and consistency, as well as a willingness to back up when problems arise! And Yes, they will arise!

The Level I program will begin with straight line tracks, moving to serpentine tracks, the first turn is a right turn, then a left turn, we also teach obtuse angle turns. Aging time increases with dog's increased skill level, there are recommended aging times on each assignment. Wind factors are covered as well. At the end of ten lessons a team is expected to work a field track of 600 meters with 3-5 turns, that has been aged for two hours. This is no small feat! This is a 10 Lesson program, NOT a 10 week program! You and your dog will progress depending on your time and effort as well as your dog's enthusiasm, and natural abilities!

The Level II program will cover work on longer tracks with the final requirement being a consistent 1000+ meters with 5-8 turns, including acute angle turns. The aging time will increase to a maximum of 5 hours. This level will also include cross tracks, tracking over varied terrain and indicating multiple articles. As in Level I, there will be problems to overcome, and guidance to work through them. The prerequisite for this level would be a CKC (or club equivalent) Tracking Dog title, or our Level I Ground Tracking Course.

For people interested in Search and Rescue, our belief has always been to establish a solid foundation in ground tracking, before introducing the air scent work. These programs can help you achieve a sound and consistent working SAR dog.

Equipment requirements for tracking are pretty basic! A tracking harness, a tracking line (roughly 10-15 meters) and some tracking flags. Tracking flags can be fancy tracking sets available through sport/working dog suppliers (we can supply these) or they can be as simple as tent pegs with flagging tape or electric fence stakes! A fanny pack is handy for your initial food reward, your toy rewards, and your articles! A note book is a good idea for mapping tracks as you advance past flags!

To progress in tracking you need to spend a fair amount of time at it. You must track every day in the beginning! This is not a program for the couch potato! (dog or human) This is a program for people with a love of the outdoors, hard work, and a fascination for the amazing powers of a dog's olfactory. This is a program for dogs with high drive, lots of energy, and a desire to work! For more information on Ground Tracking… Contact Us.

Tammy and Raven receiving
Tracking Dog award with judge
Jo-anne McLeod
(Sept. 1998)