Tracking and scenting work with hovawarts - a formal tracking training method

The idea when beginning to track with a hovawart, or any canine, is to get him interested enough in someone to want to follow; and then to try to encourage him to use his nose instead of his eyes or ears to find that person. The same idea can be used to find objects rather than people, although it is often easier to get the dog focussed on finding a person rather than an object.

I will not go into the effect that wind has upon tracking, suffice it to say that its best to begin tracking training by laying the track with the wind behind you. If you lay the track into the wind it will encourage your dog to wind scent rather than scenting the ground where the track layer has walked. Wind scenting is another discipline.

With the hovawart in a tracking harness attach a training lead approximately 5 metres in length and give a favourite toy or favourite treat (any reward which you know he values) to a person the dog knows well. Whilst standing behind an obstacle that he can't see through (like a car or a brick wall), have the "track layer" make a big fuss of both dog and toy/reward and then walk off towards an obstacle they can hide behind, such as a tree or shed, 20 - 30 metres away. Allow your hovawart to see the person leave and the general direction that they are going in, and then move him behind the obstacle that he can't see through eg. the car.

Now ask him excitedly, "Where is he? Who's got your toy? Where’s he gone?" in order to raise the dog’s interest level. After a minute or so gap move the dog out to find him. Be consistent with the use of a word of command for the act of tracking i.e. find or seek. The word of command should not sound harsh in any way, rather it must be exciting and interesting. Use this word now and encourage him to find the track layer. i.e. "Find. Where is he?” or “Seek him". The dog should move in roughly the right direction having seen the track layer leave. Allow the dog to go in the right direction on the lead, trying to maintain a steady tension on the lead. A slow jogging pace is good, but without running hard.

If the dog’s nose goes down towards ground level, praise him by repeating the word of command in an enthusiastic non-distracting tone "Find/Seek, good boy". Whenever his nose is down, or he is clearly sniffing or scenting allow steady forward movement. If the dog is distracted, just wandering at random, or trying to run hard in the direction he saw the person leave, gently hold him back allowing no forward movement. Simply encourage the dog to follow the track with your words of command and then verbally praise him and move forward. Never UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES correct the dog, and never tug on the line.

Progress towards the track layer's hiding place regardless of the dog’s performance. When you get there, give him lots of praise The track layer should also make a big fuss of the dog and play with the toy with the dog. The track layer and toy should always be the dog’s reward, it serves to encourage your hovawart to remain enthusiastic for the next time. Two maybe three repetitions per training session twice a day is sufficient. Don't be too surprised if he seems to have little idea of what is required for the first few sessions. It might take a little time for the dog to get the idea, so repetition is the key. As soon as your hovawart improves, start to increase the distance; then don't allow him to see the track layer leave, and now is the time to begin using articles on the ground. Articles can help to keep the dog’s nose down.

Separate from your tracking training, get him enthusiastic about picking up old socks for example, by making a game out of it. At the same time you can teach him to bring the sock to you, or to sit, or to bark, or whatever when he finds the sock. Then use socks on the track and praise him when he finds them. Do not place them so closely together that he can see each one and just run to them. Place them at least 15 metres apart and let the dog scent to them. Once he has got the right idea you can try other articles which carry the track layers' scent; perhaps a large leather key fob, without any metal at first, and latter with a key or two attached.

Progress from there, gradually increasing both the age and length of the track and by having him scent out different people.

You can begin playful tracking from the tenth week to help imprint that behaviour.

The work should be fun and exciting and totally stress free, your hovawart must want to track, so encourage and build the desire, play hide-and-seek with a favourite toy indoors and later in the garden. Begin by placing the toy in plain site and encourage him, with words of command, to go and find it. When he understands what to do, let him see you hide the toy under a cushion or something. Again with words of command encourage him to find it. When he understands this move on and hide the toy without him watching and so on. Always give positive reinforcement to the wanted behaviour and reward it with exciting rewards. The excitement will help develop the desire.

Later, when you have progressed beyond the house and garden the reward can be given by another family member or a friendly acquaintance at the end of a track. Later still you can slowly modify this to a friendly stranger at the end of the track. As with all training take it step by step and keep it stress free and fun. Over time and as your hovawart matures and gains confidence increase the length and difficulty of the track.

Have you tried  Clean Boot Hunting with a hovawart ?

 

 

 

 

 

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