Apart from basic training of teaching your dog to eat or potty training you can also teach your dog how to track particular things. However teaching your dog to track things of your choice will take a little more time and effort than training it in other things. Also there are some breed of dogs who have a very strong scent of smell. Teaching these dogs to track things is a little easier.
Some of the breeds with strong sense of smell include German shepherds, greyhounds, beagles and most of the hound breeds. These dogs are also used by the army and the police forces to normally track illegal contraband.
First if all you will have to get a leash that can reach a maximum length of at least 30 feet. You will need the leash as you need to control the dog. The leash must be made from flexible leather so that it does not tighten around the dog’s neck.
You will then need some leather articles such as old gloves, trail markers and stakes that are about five feet long with attached streamers. You can also get leather shoes for yourself. You can give track training to your dog preferably in the morning. At the time the scents in the air are stronger and your dog is also fresh and ready to track.
A calm non windy and non rainy day is preferred for training sessions. When you pick an area for tracking you should avoid those areas with strong odors as this might confuse the dog. You can choose an open area such as a field or a meadow.
You can begin the session by putting the harness around the dog’s neck. Keep a few treats in your pocket. Take one stake and then place it at starting point.
About a 100 feet from the stake, keep a leather article. Walk down a few feet and then put another leather article. Then turn around and come to the starting point in a straight line.
Next make your dog come to the starting point and then make him kneel so that eh can smell your trail. You can then command him to look and then point in the direction of the leather destination.
You should encourage your dog in front of you and point to him directions if he gets tracks away. When he picks the scent encourage him to go even further. Repeat the exercise for a few days and when your dog becomes an expert with straight line directions then you can start introducing turning trails.
