Extreme Tracking :)

Vislor · #1 14-09-11, 04:49 PM

At Vislor we train Working German Shepherds.

Which means Tracking... Pretty much every day.

Our philosophy for tracking is to make it as difficult as possible. We track where few dare to tread.

Here you can see a field full of sheep, happily grazing and walking over the tracks we've just laid. On top of this there are tractors driving around and high winds. I like to call it EXTREME tracking.

Extreme tracking isn't just for the experienced Vongalanberg Kai Kkl. 1 SchH 3 AD (who has achieved tracking scores of 100 SchH 1, 98 SchH 2 and 98 SchH 3), even the young Notspol Gilly is put through her paces.

One of the hardest things in Schutzhund is finding good tracking ground. We've got to make do with less than ideal circumstances most of the time but I believe the dogs benefit from learning on really difficult ground so that when they do come to a pristine trial track, they're more than prepared

wee rascal · #2 14-09-11, 05:07 PM

Wow!

I do love hearing all about your work...it's quite something

Your dogs look great.

Stuart · #3 14-09-11, 05:19 PM

Very nice photos Ash,... I think you and your day would have loved to have a place up here,...lol

Vislor · #4 14-09-11, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuart

Very nice photos Ash,... I think you and your day would have loved to have a place up here,...lol

We often track on the common which is on top of a huge hill overlooking what seems to be all of Herefordshire, covered in sheep and usually battered by gale force winds.

Feels like something in Scotland, probably a lot more tame though

zetstaff · #5 14-09-11, 08:36 PM

Ash can I ask you something? On a famous bullbreeds forum there was a debate about whether Stafflets COULD or indeed SHOULD be trained as Schutzhund dogs

I would very much value your opinion on that one ?

TY x

PS NOT that in a million years I would even consider it, all the wrong traits for me, but would be interested in what you thought + value your opinion

Otto 's Mutter · #6 14-09-11, 09:21 PM

I notice on a number of the photos that the lead goes underneath the dog, between the front legs. Is this intentional Ash?

We did some scent work with Otto after training class the week before last so I would be interested in learning more

#7 14-09-11, 09:40 PM

I'm working towards tracking with Zee at training. She's discriminating her toy against other toys, identifying and retrieving it. Next stage is cloth work. Quite exciting as I think she has a great nose - anything I throw for her to retrieve she sniffs it first to check its the right object before picking it up.

Vislor · #8 15-09-11, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zetstaff

Ash can I ask you something? On a famous bullbreeds forum there was a debate about whether Stafflets COULD or indeed SHOULD be trained as Schutzhund dogs

I would very much value your opinion on that one ?

TY x

PS NOT that in a million years I would even consider it, all the wrong traits for me, but would be interested in what you thought + value your opinion

To do Schutzhund really you need a dog that has high prey and food drive. At Sheffield Schutzhund club there are some really nice bulldogs doing Schutzhund but I've never heard of staffys doin it. In theory there should be no problem as long as they've got the right drives!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Otto 's Mutter

I notice on a number of the photos that the lead goes underneath the dog, between the front legs. Is this intentional Ash?

We did some scent work with Otto after training class the week before last so I would be interested in learning more

Yeah it's intentional it's so you can keep them focussed on the ground if they get into trouble and probably helps to condition them to know it's tracking time.

Otto 's Mutter · #9 15-09-11, 10:29 AM

Yeah it's intentional it's so you can keep them focussed on the ground if they get into trouble and probably helps to condition them to know it's tracking time.[/QUOTE]

Ahhh right, thanks Ash

Sophie · #10 09-10-11, 11:10 PM

Hi guys!
Not been around for ages but having just seen this thread and Notspol Gilly I thought I'd better but in with some pics of Maverick a.k.a. Notspol Harris :-)
He's 14 months now- the pic of him standing was ages ago but wanted to highlight the similarities between him and Gilly... Wonder if they share a parent?!