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to CyberHound This time, I will begin a discussion of problem solving in tracking. If you've read my previous articles about TD and TDX training, you've already learned some problem-solving techniques. For example, if you think your dog has a motivation problem, I have recommended short easy tracks, walks in the field after tracking and going to the Dairy Queen store to reinforce the idea that this is a fun activity for the dog. Here, I would like to cover a few more problem-solving techniques.
First and foremost, you need to detect that the dog has a problem. This may sound obvious, but I am constantly amazed how people look right at their dog and don't see the messages he is sending. You've heard the phrase, "read your dog" in connection with tracking. But did you know this goes beyond just learning how he indicates turns, articles and crosstracks? Learning to read your dog's behavior around problems is every bit as important as learning to read basic tracking behavior.
One of the most important things to look out for is a loss of motivation or a high level of frustration. I have talked about motivation before, but I never described what poor motivation looks like. Although every dog is different and I don't know your dog, you might be on the lookout for the following behaviors: slow starts, consistently missing turns, wandering away from the track, being easily distracted, or crossing the track repeatedly without indicating the scent.
If your dog is easily distracted, it could mean you are training a bitch about to come into season, or an immature male who is not yet ready for the discipline of tracking training. However, it could also mean the beginning of a serious training problem. Slow starts often indicate a motivation problem, especially if starts have been good up to that point. Wandering away from the track may also indicate a loss of motivation. If any of these happen once, don't be concerned; but look out for a trend. If one happens two sessions in a row, you might consider taking corrective action.
Once you have decided your dog has some kind of problem and have identified what it is, the next thing is to decide what to do. As with any kind of training, it is important that the problem be dealt with immediately, so it doesn't become chronic.
Dogs often become frustrated by not being able to find the track as easily as they are used to. This is normal when aging tracks and increasing their complexity, as well as with changing seasons and climate. But if the dog has problems tracking repeatedly, you need to compensate for this as soon as possible.. Many people keep a tracking journal, which is an excellent idea if you are serious about tracking. It's a good idea to record the dog's performance and try to put into words his attitude (excited, energetic, slow, confused, frustrated, lackadaisical, distracted, etc.).
When your dog is having a tracking problem and you have concluded what caused it, then change whatever needs to be changed for the dog to track well again. This may require a considerable amount of trial and error. For example, a long, difficult track in which the dog had repeated problems might lead to a short, easy track the next time out. A solution might be as simple as giving the dog a break (not tracking for a week or two) before going tracking again.
At the beginning and end of each tracking session, it is a good idea to talk about or write in a journal about problems and goals. At the end of a session, discuss or write about the problems the dog had. At the beginning of the next session, remind yourself what changes need to be made. An example of this would be a severe change in weather conditions from what the dog has been used to. If a particular condition has caused the dog to have a problem, then wait until that condition no longer exists. A difficult track on a hot, sunny, windy day for example, might lead you to make sure the next tracking session is in the cool morning or evening, perhaps even after a period of moisture. This doesn't mean you can't go back to hot, dry conditions; it only means you shouldn't repeatedly train in such difficult conditions.
Recognizing tracking problems and solving them is both an art and a science. It is an art because you have to be constantly on the lookout for subtle signals your dog gives. These signals may have more to do with your close personal bond with the dog than anything really obvious to others. It is also a science because you need to apply a rational, well-thought-out strategy to the problem at hand. This involves considering what information you have, considering your options carefully and deciding on a specific course of action. The most important thing in problem-solving is to be flexible, and only continue doing those things that work.
By carefully observing your dog, planning for conditions you expect at a tracking test and learning along with your dog what works (as well as what doesn't), you can minimize the long term effects of most training problems.