School of Tracking Courses

Tracking is the competitive sport in which the dog is taught to follow the path of a human being and to locate and indicate articles that are dropped by that person along the way. Unlike most dog sports where the dog is directed to perform in a certain manner, in tracking, the dog is the expert from the beginning. The handler shapes the environment so that the dog is able to hone a skill he already genetically possess – the skill of scenting. One of the challenges of teaching tracking is to keep the handler out of the picture while allowing the track to do the teaching.

Through the School of Tracking, your dog will learn to develop the skills necessary to compete in AKC type tracking tests, even if you decide to just have fun tracking. Through a progressive, targeted tracking approach, our goal is for the dog to develop both intensity and accuracy. Intensity is necessary when the dog is required to solve complex scent pictures created by aging, changes of cover, and hard surfaces. Accuracy is necessary in order for the dog to successfully negotiate a track and locate multiple articles. Our goal is to teach in a manner that the dog learns to trust his nose regardless of additional clues. By training in this manner, the dog learns to work both confidently and independently of the handler.

The School of Tracking courses are suitable for dogs of all ages, although both dogs and handlers should be able to walk reasonably long distances and must be willing to work in inclement weather!

Foundation Courses

These courses will introduce you to the basic concepts in tracking. This will include equipment, scent theory, and the influence of the environment. They will also begin the process of article indication and letting the track teach the dog.

Skill Building Courses

A continuation of the foundation courses, these skill building courses introduce your dog to turns, changes of cover, and increasing distance. 

Advanced Courses

The advanced courses will help your dog become confident while solving challenging scent puzzles. 

IPO Tracking Courses

These courses offer training specific to the sport of IPO.