UPDATE: MAY 8, 2009 CHASE successfully completed his
1st ever TRACKING CHAMPION Poodle!
TD + TDX + UTD + UTDX = TCH (Tracking Champion)
We are extremely proud of Chase!
Chase is the 11th dog of any breed to become a CKC Tracking Champion.
We are extremely proud of Chase!
Chase is the 11th dog of any breed to become a CKC Tracking Champion.
Dogs start by testing at the TD level. This is a prerequisite for entering a TDX or UTD test. Dogs must have their UTD before they are eligible to test for their UTDX. Rule books are available from CKC and AKC. I recommend all competitors, no matter what the venue is, obtain a current rule book. Read it cover to cover and be sure you understand the rules. Below is an overview of the CKC Tracking rules, please refer to a current rule book for the complete rules and regulations.
Chase completed his TD on October 14, 2007 at the Cross Country Tracking Club test. At the TD level the dog follows a track on vegetation (grass or hay fields are most often use for these test) where a person walked for 400 - 450 metres (1312 - 1476 feet), 30 minutes to 2 hours ahead of time making 3 to 5 left and right corners no sharper than right angles. They are required to indicate a leather article such as a glove, wallet or flat piece of leather at the end of the track to pass. It's up to the handler to decide how they wish to train their dog to indicate and will be asked by the judge before they begin the test what their dogs indication is. Chase's trained indication is to lie down at the article with it between his front legs and wait there. Other indications may be to sit, stand over or retrieve the article.
The TDX test requirements are for the track to be not less than 900 metres (2953 feet) and not more than 1000 metres (3281 feet). It will be aged from 3 - 5 hours and crossed in 2 places at well separated intervals by a more recent track by a different track layer. There are 5 - 8 turns and acute angles that should be no less than 45 degrees. Three leather articles are dropped for the dog to find. The primary track should be laid over varying vegetation and cross a road. The use of wooded areas is also permissible. Chase completed his TDX test on August 23, 2008 at the EPS Test held in Powassan, Ontario.
Urban tracking tests (UTD and UTDX) are held in areas such as office parks, industrial parks, campuses, schools etc. Approximately 1/3 of a UTD track and 1/3 to 1/2 of the UTDX track require non-vegetated surfaces such as gravel, dirt, sand, mulch, brick, concrete or asphalt. The dog must commit to following ONE SPECIFIC designated person in all of these tests. In urban environments enticing smells of other people, kids, food, other dogs, cats, squirrels, vehicular traffic and whatever else was anywhere on the path the track layer took before or after the track was put down has to be ignored after it's been analysed by the dogs nose. It's amazing to see a dog do that... just because I asked him to for me, because he's learned to follow one stranger that I specified to him. We start at a marked spot the person stood still at for 60 seconds (to clarify to the dog who they are to search for) and then track them hours later. Chase earned his UTD title on October 19, 2008 in Whitby at a new venue hosted by the Cross Country Tracking Club on his first attempt and also passed his UTDX on his first attempt. Chase's UTDX was run May 8, 2009 in an extremely busy venue after heavy downpours in the dark. He truly is dedicated to the job of finding the footsteps and all of the articles.
This may not be the most interesting information to read about when you've not done the work and don't know the dog, but trust me, this is beautiful and awe inspiring when you're at the end of the lead 10 metres (30 feet) behind your own dog and haven't a clue (I know in training, not in tests) where the person went, what they dropped or where the dog is leading. The trainer/handler has to learn to read their dog's body language to know when to follow and how to handle the dog by the signals they're telling us. This is a team sport, but the dog has to be the leader of this working team.
This may not be the most interesting information to read about when you've not done the work and don't know the dog, but trust me, this is beautiful and awe inspiring when you're at the end of the lead 10 metres (30 feet) behind your own dog and haven't a clue (I know in training, not in tests) where the person went, what they dropped or where the dog is leading. The trainer/handler has to learn to read their dog's body language to know when to follow and how to handle the dog by the signals they're telling us. This is a team sport, but the dog has to be the leader of this working team.
Chase's tracking style is footstep with a deep nose. It's the most efficient method for tracking in urban environments. He is a joy to train & loves to hear the words, "Go find it!"