The Imaginative Sport for Active Dogs
and
Creative Trainers
and
Creative Trainers
Tracking
Assessment Guidelines
The dog should demonstrate that it has
been taught to follow a track and is trained to indicate the
location of the end article with a specific behaviour,
recognisable to the trainer and the assessor.
A cue may be given to the dog to indicate
commencement of the exercise. The trainer may verbally
encourage the dog during the track but may not cue the location
of turns or articles.
Neither dog nor trainer may see the track
being laid. The track may be laid on any substrate bar a hard
surface such as concrete/tarmac etc. The track must be laid on
ground that has not previously been fouled by walkers/dogs etc.
Articles must be chosen that are non
injurious to the dog and that are of a size/colour commensurate
with the prevailing ground conditions ie they should be located
by scent rather than sight.
The trainer must be able to show
confidence that they can work with the dog as a team to follow
a track without knowing its location.
Although age of tracks and times allowed
have been allotted for each Level the Assessor can override
these requirements in consideration of environmental factors.
3 = the dog responds promptly and with
eagerness, showing commitment to the track and understanding of
the exercise.
2 = the dog responds promptly, but some
areas are in need of further training, ie the dog repeatedly
leaves the track on a straight leg (as opposed to casting on a
corner) and/or fails to indicate end article.
1 = the dog shows an understanding
of the exercise but requires significant further training ie
the dog does not respond to the first cue, or responds by
repeatedly stopping and/or returning to/looking at the trainer.
0 = does not respond to the trainer
within a reasonable time or leaves the starting post in the
wrong direction.
All tracks will be commenced with a
starting post or marker and ended on article indication or
retrieve.
Dogs must track on suitable harness and
line.
Track must not be laid by the trainer.
Tracking Level 1
The dog must demonstrate a track of at
least 10m to an article provided by the trainer. The dog may no
see the track being laid.
Tracking Level 2
The dog must demonstrate a track of 2
legs, at least 50m each, between 30 minutes and 1 hour old to
an article provided by the trainer.
Tracking Level 3
The dog must demonstrate a track of 4
legs, at least 50m each, between 1 and 2 hours old to an
article provided by the Assessor.
Tracking Level 4
The dog must demonstrate a track of 7
legs and include 2 cutbacks, between 1 and 2 hours old to an
article provided by the Assessor.
Tracking Level 5
The dog must demonstrate a track of 10
legs and include a curve, between 1 and 2 hours old to an
article provided by the Assessor. The track will include a
change of surface.
Tracking Level 6
The dog must demonstrate a multi surface,
multi leg track covering 800m approximately 3 hours old to an
article provided by the Assessor. The track will include
serpentines and a cross track.