|
This track was particularly difficult because of the swells in the
ground. Terrain like this spreads the scent of the tracklayer in every
direction, and the tracking dog has to determine where the person
walked, and not be fooled by where the scent traveled up or down the
hills.
|
a good start at the flag
|
|
working the first leg
|
|
Tal hit that first turn on the dime!
|
Tal is up to four legs of the track and probably at about 300 yards of
tracking. |
The person in the blue jacket is the tracklayer - she is
carrying a map and following us to make sure Tallie stays on the
track. If Tal would move off for some reason, the tracklayer
would let me know so that I can correct her and remind her she
needs to follow the track I have indicated for her.
In a test, the tracklayer would be accompanied by two judges,
who would have plotted the track, and mapped it on the day
before the test. On test day, the tracklayer follows the marked
track for the test. TD dogs are tested anywhere from half an
hour to two hours after the track is laid. TDX dogs (2nd level)
have a track aged at least three but no more than five hours.
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
The glove marks the end of the track. For some dogs,
eventually the lost person will mark the end of the track.
Tallie has been taught to go down when she finds it, and as
soon as I catch up to her, she gets her reward.
|
 |
On this particular track we had a rough start. Tal wasn't sure she
wanted to work today, but with a little encouragement she went out and
did a stellar job. The uphill leg in the one photo would have been a
challenge to even an experienced TDX dog. I was really proud of her this
morning.
Will let you know when we get the title.........
Saren and Tallie
|
|
