Breed Improvement Suggestions for the UK GSD Breed Council - Page 49

Simple nosework to me seems to be a straight track set by owner with food  or toy as a reward depends on what drives the dog. 

If this is a first phrase aptitude test then wouldnt the participants know what to expect as in Sch 1, so they would train the dog for it before hand, am I being stupid here?

If the suggestions for testing get too complex then it will become elite and many people will not even consider taking part and it will make it something that only certain people do.

People who do agility with their dogs wont be interested in tracking and wont have a clue what Sch 1 require.

The testing has to be consise and sensible enough to get people from different walks of life to bring their dogs for assessment.  I have been living with the breed for 30 years and although I've been doing obedience, PAT, a bit of agility I have never read a Sch. 1 guide and wouldnt have a clue what is required.

We need the basic's to be introduced and soundly embraced before adding too much to it as it will quickly pushing people away and not benefit the breed.

Estweyn, no you're not being stupid.  But as Sue B pointed out that the proposal was to start slow and move forward over a set time frame. I thouhgt that a short track maybe 20/25 paces would have been a good start but for people who have not done any training before it may be a little harsh for a starting point. Not because of the difficulty that the dog would face but maybe the confidence of the handlers.

Brady Bee susgestion of the dog searching for a familar article would be a good start but I would have hoped for  little more. Then Reason did only ask for suggestions regarding a simple nose work exercise. I'm sure other tests will be added to the schedule.

Maybe when we get this up and running a training session in the morning with dogs being assesed in the afternoon would give the handlers a better chance of acheiving the goal.

Jess

Thanks Jess

What I was unsucessfully trying to say was that participants will surely get to know the criterea requirements for this before the event and if they will surely train beforehand.  If its a simple single track laid by owner it takes so little time to train anyway.  I aint no expert in tracking or nosework but have always done single tracks with reward for my dogs just for the fun of it.

I agree that people who are actively engaged in other dog sports may not be particularly interested but if it is simple to teach then I think they would make the effort if the end result is their dog qualifies.

Just a few more thoughts/queries.  Have the breed clubs come back with any positive responses and is it perhaps time to get some meetings together up and down the country to co-ordinate these discussions? 

Reason, I think if nosework is to be included, it should be a search rather than a track.  It could make it very expensive if people feel they have to buy a harness and line... or we could have dogs tracking/training with  a check chain on.

Proposing a working test sounded so easy didn't it?  But... when it comes to the nitty gritty... it's a bit of a bugger really, I don't envy you this atall.

Missbeeb, why would people feel the need to buy a harness and line.  Schutzhund tracking is on a 10m line attached to the dead link of a large link check chain.  It is long time since I was in the breed ring but we showed  on a large link check chain, so no new equipment required there.  I would assume that if tracking were to be included (and from the responses already I think that would more likely be stage 2) a small track to a pot of food or a toy one would not expect the handler to be at the end of a 10m line.

Jess

p.s. made my own line from an old lead clip and a length of line from B & Q.  I'm not one to part with money unless I have to

Hi Jess, really?  They don't use a harness for tracking in Sch?  I wouldn't track any of my dogs on a collar of any kind.

New business oppo' for you here then Jess... old leads and line from B&Q!!!  You could be on "Dragons Den" with this before the years out!!

Missbeeb, said 'I wouldn't track any of my dogs on a collar of any kind.'

Just curious but why not?  Years ago when I thought I would like to get into working trials and for various reasons didn't I went on a training weekend with Roy Hunter (now that ages me dosen't it) I can remeber he suggested that until we had decided if we really would be doing working trials not to bother with getting an harness but just track off the collar. Then if the dog took to tracking and handler took to working trials that was the time to get an harness.

Sorry to take this off thread but any training information is very usefull.

Jess

I dont do any tracking but my guys all have their own nylon harnesses which I use for controlled swimming (one of mine would not be trusted with the ducks!) and also for going out with a bike - so for me there wouldnt be any cost implication there.

I guess its really a case of getting everyone thinking outside their box and embracing something different.

Jess, I did "proper" (WT) tracking with mine, the harness is part of the whole process for the dogs, they loved it &  knew what was on as soon as they seen it. 

Probably you are right but I fear that even one short leg in untrained hands.... am I being too belt & braces?

It's a lot easier to teach a dog to find something he likes/wants and it's harder to get it wrong or to do any damage.