Tracking Classes

The sport of dog tracking is a “dog-friendly” one. Dogs come to class knowing more about using their nose than we humans will ever understand. Tracking thus provides we humans with a great opportunity to gain insight into how dogs work with scent (and it is an awesome thing indeed) at the same time as it provides our four-legged friends with an opportunity to do something that actually makes sense to them.

All TCOTC tracking classes are held outside in fields where the dogs encounter natural obstacles and distractions. While the ticks (sorry, but they’re there), weeds and bugs challenge the humans, the mice, deer, fox, turkeys – and who knows what all else – challenge the dogs. Our tracking classes will help you understand how to keep your dog focused on the human he has been assigned to track while simultaneously teaching you to let him do just that! Tracking is unlike many of the other performance events we do with our dogs because it puts the dog in charge – not the human (maybe this is why the dogs like it so much!).

What is AKC Tracking?

Tracking, simply put, is an activity in which a dog follows the scent track of a human being. The dog begins at a person's known starting point and follows that person's path.

Tracking Tests

There are three levels of AKC tracking tests. In a first level test, the dog and handler follow the track laid by a stranger in an open field. The track is approximately 450 yards long, contains several turns and is at least one-half hour old. The dog and handler are told where the track starts but do not know where it goes. The dog must follow the track and find a glove dropped by the stranger at the end of the track. The dog that successfully completes this track earns the title Tracking Dog (T.D.). The Tracking Dog Excellent is also a field test but is longer, older and includes obstacles. The Variable Surface Tracking Test recognizes the urban nature of most of our lives and is held often on college campuses. It features tracking across a variety of surfaces – asphalt and concrete, grass, landscape chips or rock – and around buildings. It is a very challenging test for dogs and handlers. Champion Trackers (fewer than 200 in the country) have earned all three tracking titles.

More Information

Recommended books include Tracking Dog by Glen R. Johnson, Tracking from the Ground Up by Sandy Ganz and Susan Boyd and Try Tracking! The Puppy Tracking Primer by Carloyn A. Krause. The AKC website has the full listing of rules and regulations for tracking events as well as locations of upcoming tests.

Easy Answers to the Top Five Questions Asked About Tracking.

1. What is Covered in TCOTC Tracking Classes?

TCOTC has two levels of beginning tracking classes. All TCOTC tracking activities are focused on AKC-type competitive events. We teach dogs and handlers to follow a human scent trail, finding small articles of clothing like gloves, socks, or eyeglass cases that have been placed along the way.

There are two other types of tracking you may have heard of: Search and Rescue and Schutzhund tracking. In the former, the dog’s job is to find a real human – however he can. There is no need to follow the human’s track and dogs often rely on air scenting to find their human. Schutzhund is just the opposite. Dogs must follow the track footstep by footstep. AKC tracking allows the dog to do both as long as he finds the dropped articles and stays within 50 yards of the actual track.

2. When are classes starting?

The Level 1 introductory classes start in April. The exact schedule of classes is set in February and the first meeting for all beginning trackers is held in March at the club. This first meeting is a both an introduction to tracking and review of equipment needed (including harnesses and tracking lines that are available through TCOTC for those who are interested).

The class schedule is posted at the club and on the TCOTC website in February. Club members are given first priority in accessing the limited class openings.

3. How do I sign up for a class?

Students must submit their class application and a check for the class in order to reserve a place in class. Due to the high demand for the limited class space, there are no refunds.

4. Are there other opportunities to learn more about tracking?

This year TCOTC is sponsoring a 3-day tracking seminar that is open to TCOTC club members and the general public. The seminar will be presented by Maureen Foley, an experienced AKC tracking judge and it has “something for everyone” – beginning through advanced trackers. May 30 is an evening lecture at TCOTC; May 31 and June 1 will be at Willow River (just outside Hudson, WI) and include field work. If you are interested in the seminar, click here for the brochure/registration form. (see other attachment)

5. My dog is lost. Will someone come track and find my dog?

Our tracking dogs are taught to ignore animal scents and concentrate on human scent. The handlers have spent countless hours teaching the dogs to do just this. It would be counterproductive to ask our tracking dogs to follow any animal scent so no, we do not track lost dogs.