Tracking

Below is an excerpt from the U.S. Military Dog Training Handbook by Department of Defense (DoD)

TRACKING SELECTION AND TRAINING

Tracking selection and training. Some MWDs are completely unsuited for tracking and show no willingness to track. Nothing can be gained by continually trying to make one of these dogs track. Therefore, once a Kennel Master or trainer is able to document a dog‘s inability to track, further training in this task may be stopped. Dogs that demonstrate a definite ability to track must remain proficient by consistent training.

Tracking dogs are utilized during combat to locate enemy by the scent they leave on the ground. In law enforcement, tracking dogs are often used to search for fleeing felons, lost/missing persons, and evidence. Since MWDs are not trained to track during initial training at Lackland AFB, it is left to Kennel Masters to identify dogs with tracking potential. Therefore, it is important to have general knowledge and understanding of the tracking dog capabilities.

Before beginning training with your dog, you must understand some of the conditions that affect your dog‘s performance: Wind, Surface, Temperature, Distractions; and Age of the track.

• Wind. The dog takes the human scent not only from the ground, but also from the air near the ground. A strong wind can spread the scent causing the dog difficulty in detecting the scent. A strong wind may also cause a dog to depend upon its scouting ability (track laid into the wind) to find the tracklayer instead of tracking. A wind blowing across a track (track laid crosswind) may cause the dog to work a few feet downwind of the track. To encourage the dog to pick up the scent directly from the ground, all initial tracks should be laid downwind from the starting point. Once the dog becomes proficient, use tracks that combine different wind conditions.
• Surface. The ideal surface for tracking is an open field with short, damp vegetation. A hard dry surface does not hold a scent well. Heavy rain can dissipate or mask the scent. In contrast, a damp surface will allow the scent to remain 
• Temperature. The scent dissipates faster when the temperature is high. The early morning or late afternoon hours are more favorable tracking periods. Rain will quickly dissipate the scent. 
• Distractions. Some odors can mask the human scent the dog is following. Conflicting scents, animal odors, smoke fumes, chemicals, and fertilizers affect the dog‘s ability to detect and follow a track 
• Age. The age of the track is another factor that must be taken into consideration. It is more difficult for the dog to follow an older track. 

TYPES OF TRACKS

For training purposes there are three types of tracks: Initial, Intermediate, and Advanced.

Initial Track: 

The initial track is laid downwind and runs from one point to another for about 50 paces. The tracklayer leaves a scent pad approximately three square feet by stepping in the entire section. After laying a scent pad, the tracklayer takes short steps closely together in a straight line downwind to the end of the track. This will place more scent on the track making it easier for the dog to learn the task. During initial tracking, encourage the dog to watch the tracklayer. Preplan the initial track so all personnel involved know the start and end points. The handler must know the exact location of the track. For all phases of tracking, establish records to document conditions. Furnish the handler a precise map and detail the length and age of each track. The area used for an initial track should have low vegetation (i.e., mown grass). There should be ample room to lay the track. Keep distractions to a minimum.

Procedures:

After the tracklayer finishes laying the track, have the dog team approach and stop six feet from the scent pad. During initial training, attach the 360 leash to the choke chain to control the speed and assist in keeping the dog on the track. You may use a collar or harness. At the scent pad, coax the dog to smell the scent pad, command the dog TRACK, pronouncing it in a slow, drawn-out, pleasant manner: T-R-A-A-A-A-CK. Casting is given by making a sweeping downward and out motion with the palm of the hand up. Keeping on the track, give the dog half leash and move along the track. Whenever the dog strays from the track, slow the pace until the dog recovers or returns to the track. If the dog strays off track, stop, call the dog back, have it smell the track and repeat the command, casting the dog out to half leash. To encourage the dog to track, use a mild form of enticement or small pieces of food at the scent pad and throughout the track. Allow the dog to track at a slow pace. Place several pieces of food to indicate the end of the short track. After the dog consumes the food, praise the dog lavishly as you exit the area. This may take several trails before moving on to the next phase.

Intermediate Track: 

The intermediate track includes turns the dog must follow and articles that must be found. Articles are small pieces of wool, leather, rubber, or cloth. As in any track, preplanning is a must so the handler can observe and assist the dog during turns and in locating articles.

Procedures:

The starting scent pad is smaller than the scent pad used for the initial track. The length of the track is 100 paces and will include two 45-degree turns. Articles are placed to reinforce the tracklayers scent on the trail. They are also used to indicate change of direction in the track. The scent is placed on the articles by rubbing them between the hands. The dog is not required to pick up the articles, but should indicate the exact location. The dog should respond by lying down with the article directly in front of them. The response on the article serves as the point to reward the dog and a resting place. Give verbal praise and a small piece of food after the dog downs at the article (no more food is placed on the track itself). It must be emphasized that incentives are extremely important in getting the dog to follow a scent. The article can be used as a refresher scent if the dog loses the track. The down indication of the articles should be taught separately to avoid any pressure on the track. To create a new problem for the dog, lay the track crosswind. The dog may work a few feet downwind from the track to pick up the scent. Initially, the track should be fresh and increased in length and age as the proficiency of the dog increases. After making a scent pad, the tracklayer walks normally along a preplanned route, occasionally shortening the pace to put down more scent. Wherever an article is placed, the tracklayer stops and stands in that area to increase the scent. Going into and coming out of a turn, slowing the pace makes small scent pads. 

Advanced Track:

Dogs that have shown a marked degree of proficiency in tracking will use the advanced track. Not every dog has the ability to track for long periods or follow old tracks. Notice that scented articles are used, the turns are sharper, and a diversionary track is used. 

Procedures:

The track should be approximately 1–2 hours old and about 1 mile long. The tracklayer lays a track by making a scent pad and then walking at a normal pace but occasionally breaking into a run. Increase turns to 90 degrees and include downwind, crosswind, and upwind scenarios. Use a diversionary track to teach your dog the difference between the primary and a cross track. To prevent confusing the dog, have a diversionary tracklayer quickly cross the primary track. Thus, to observe your dog‘s reaction, you must know exactly where the tracks cross. At every other turn, the tracklayer makes a scent pad if the trainer feels the dog still needs assistance. After the turns, place articles as a reward for accomplishing the turns. If articles are not used at the turns, make separate scent pads for the dog to follow. In planning this track, prepare a detailed map so the handler can help the dog when necessary. To ensure a successful performance, the handler and trainer must stay flexible in their approach to tracking and allow latitude to make necessary adaptations.  

REGAINING LOST TRACKS

As the dog advances through the track, it may lose the scent and wander off track. The key handler action is to recognize the dog has lost the track and stop immediately. When the dog loses the track, the handler should recognize a change in the dog‘s mannerisms. The dog may regain the scent on its own. If your dog does not regain the track by itself, take it back to the last known location of the track. Command TRACK and follow your dog along the track. If this does not work, use a more advanced method to regain the track. These methods include the spiral, cloverleaf, and figure eight patterns. These methods involve walking your dog in a pattern so it has an opportunity to regain the track.

Maintain tracking proficiency by performing at least one advanced track per week. Set up the tracks to exercise and reinforce the dog‘s capabilities and provide enough variety so the dog does not learn to anticipate the route of the track.