How to Teach a Dog to Trace: 14 Steps (with Pictures)

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How to Teach a Dog to Trace: 14 Steps (with Pictures)
How to Teach a Dog to Trace: 14 Steps (with Pictures)

Video: How to Teach a Dog to Trace: 14 Steps (with Pictures)

Video: How to Teach a Dog to Trace: 14 Steps (with Pictures)
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When a dog traces a trail, it uses its nose to follow certain odors. Tracing is an ability that comes naturally to dogs. In fact, dogs start tracking at a young age-because their eyes aren't open yet, they need to use their noses to find their mother in order to suckle. Your job is to enhance your dog's natural tracking instinct to follow a particular trail. Tracing is like a game for dogs, so have fun!

Step

Method 1 of 2: Starting the Tracing Exercise

Teach a Dog to Track Step 1
Teach a Dog to Track Step 1

Step 1. Choose an area to train the dog

Training a dog to follow a trail can be done indoors or outdoors. Since various elements of the weather (e.g. wind, temperature) can affect odor molecules, it's a good idea to start an indoor exercise to keep odors in one place.

Try to eliminate potential distractions, such as other pets, people, and loud noises, whether you're training indoors or outdoors

Teach a Dog to Track Step 2
Teach a Dog to Track Step 2

Step 2. Choose the object the dog will trace

While there are many ways to enhance a dog's natural search instincts, most dogs will enjoy following the smell of their favorite toy. Choose your dog's favorite toy and use it for every training session.

Teach a Dog to Track Step 3
Teach a Dog to Track Step 3

Step 3. Play a game of “run and take” with the dog

Playing with your dog before a training session will keep him ready and eager to train. A “run and grab” game is a great game to get your dog ready for training because it's a lot like trail tracking. Play with your dog for 10-15 minutes before starting a training session.

Teach a Dog to Track Step 4
Teach a Dog to Track Step 4

Step 4. Tell the dog to sit and/or be quiet

Take the time to teach your dog these commands if he doesn't already know them. Keeping your dog in place will teach you patience and help make your trailing practice smoother.

Attach the leash to the dog's collar when he is in one place

Teach a Dog to Track Step 5
Teach a Dog to Track Step 5

Step 5. Hide the dog toy in a visible place

Although a dog's sense of tracking is very keen, the first thing in training is to get the dog to pick up a toy that is in a visible place. Even if the dog is sitting or standing in one place, hold the toy in front of him. Let your dog pay attention to you when placing the toy in a location where he can see it.

Teach a Dog to Track Step 6
Teach a Dog to Track Step 6

Step 6. Command the dog to pick up the toy

Hold the dog's leash and verbally signal the dog to pick up the toy. Common cues are 'find' and 'find'.

  • Dogs can follow commands easily for the first time. On the other hand, at first the dog may not understand what you want him to do.
  • If your dog needs extra help, lead the dog by holding the leash toward the toy. When your dog has the toy in his mouth, return to the starting position and persuade the dog to follow you with the toy in his mouth.
  • Instruct the dog to drop the toy when you and the dog return to the starting position. You will need to practice hiding the toy and verbally signaling your dog several times until he picks up the toy without your guidance.
  • Immediately reward your dog with verbal praise and food when he manages to retrieve his toy.
Teach a Dog to Track Step 7
Teach a Dog to Track Step 7

Step 7. Hide the toy in a location where the dog can't see it

To challenge the dog, hide the dog toy so that it is out of sight. This will allow the dog to use its nose, not its eyes, to find the toy. Examples of locations to hide dog toys are in different rooms, under furniture, or under cardboard boxes.

  • As before, tell the dog to sit or be quiet, hide the toy, then tell the dog to find it.
  • Remember, let the dog sniff the toy before hiding it.
  • Reward it immediately when your dog finds the toy and brings it back to you.
Teach a Dog to Track Step 8
Teach a Dog to Track Step 8

Step 8. Use the wind to improve the dog's tracking ability

When your dog has become adept at using his nose to find his toys, challenge the dog again by using the wind into practice. Once the toys are hidden, stand in the wind with the dog. By facing the direction of the wind, the wind will carry the smell of dog toys to the dog's nose, making it easier for him to find it.

  • In the direction of the wind means the wind will be in front of you.
  • If you're standing upwind, your dog should run past the toy until he's in front of the toy in the direction of the wind. Your dog probably won't mind doing it, but it can increase training time.
Teach a Dog to Track Step 9
Teach a Dog to Track Step 9

Step 9. Ask someone to hide the toy

This is another way to challenge the dog during a tracking training session. When you are standing still with the dog, have someone else hide the toy while the dog watches it. Instruct the dog to pick up the toy when the person comes back to you.

  • At first, the person helping you should hide the toy in an easy place so the dog can adjust to the person hiding the toy. The person can increase the difficulty of the exercise by hiding the toy in a more difficult place to find and not telling the dog to follow its movements.
  • Be sure not to verbally coax the dog into following the movements of the person helping you. The dog may be looking at you instead of the person helping you.

Method 2 of 2: Training a Dog to Trace a Track with a Leash

Teach a Dog to Track Step 10
Teach a Dog to Track Step 10

Step 1. Purchase a tracking leash and a dog leash for tracking

Tracing ropes are used for more difficult exercises. This leash serves as a means of communication between you and your dog when he is tracking the trail. Tracking leash is usually made of rope, leather, or webbing (a strong, rock-climbing material) and attaches to a dog collar or leash.

  • Rope is a strong and inexpensive material, but it can burn your hands if you don't wear gloves. The leather feels natural and probably won't burn your hand, but it can stretch over time.
  • The tracing strap made of webbing material is strong and durable. The ideal webbing strap size is between 1/2 to 1 cm thick.
  • Tracking ropes vary in length, but a 6 meter long rope is sufficient for training purposes.
  • You can purchase tracking and dog leash at your local pet store.
Teach a Dog to Track Step 11
Teach a Dog to Track Step 11

Step 2. Create a tracing path

You need a large open space to create a browsing path. You'll also need a few items to make the path: some flags, pieces of food, and two items. The first object will be the object for the dog to find and the second object will be the object the dog can sniff before he starts tracing it.

  • Fabric items (eg, socks, gloves) are ideal for use, as they are good enough to keep odors at bay.
  • To prevent odor contamination, place the second object in a plastic bag until you give your dog the command to trace it.
  • Place a flag at the start of the trail and another flag at the end of the trail (about 3-4 meters). Place a few flags between the paths to let the dog know that he is walking on the right track.
  • Spread the pieces of food along the tracing path. Starting at the beginning of the trail, walk in small steps and place bits of food where you step. The pieces of food should be a few centimeters apart from each other.
  • The pieces of food should be a delicacy that you think your dog will eat.
  • Place the first object at the end of the tracing path.
Teach a Dog to Track Step 12
Teach a Dog to Track Step 12

Step 3. Go back to where the dog is

When you're done creating the trail, walk back to where the dog is without tracing the trail. This is likely to confuse odors along the trail, thereby confusing the dog. Instead, jump to the side of the trail and walk back to where the dog is.

  • Attach the tracking leash to the dog's leash when you are at the beginning of the trail.
  • If you must lead your dog on a trail, first attach a leash to the dog's collar. You need to make sure that the dog connects the tracking leash attachment to the track only.
Teach a Dog to Track Step 13
Teach a Dog to Track Step 13

Step 4. Command the dog to trace the trail

Once the tracking leash is attached to the dog's leash, remove the second object from the plastic bag and allow the dog to sniff it. Then, give the dog a verbal cue and let the dog move in front of you as he begins to trace it. Use your hands to feed when your dog is successful in tracing the trail.

  • When your dog picks up the second object at the end of the trail, walk up to it and offer verbal praise and immediate food.
  • Remove the tracking leash from the leash and put it back on the dog's collar when you lead him from the start of the trail.
Teach a Dog to Track Step 14
Teach a Dog to Track Step 14

Step 5. Challenge the dog with a more difficult path

It may not take long for the dog to master the short, straight path. You can challenge your dog's tracking instincts by increasing the distance on the trail or adding twists and turns. You can also increase the distance between pieces of food along the tracking path.

Tips

  • It's ideal to start tracking training when your dog is small.
  • You can train with your dog every day, but the training sessions are short-- about 10 to 15 minutes.
  • You can make tracing exercises as complex as possible. Because they have a natural ability to track trails and view tracking as a game, dogs are likely to enjoy the physical and mental challenges of a training session.
  • Tracing exercises have many benefits, such as improving a dog's problem-solving ability. This type of training is also a good way to bond with the dog.
  • Tracing exercises are also useful for more complex and serious purposes, such as hunting games and missing persons.

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