Some of Bodhi's tracking sessions (with diagrams). I am using this in hopes i can troubleshoot our issues now and in the future (plus give the opportunity for others to do the same). More eyes - better.

This will be approximately his 30th track. We started with him always interested but methodical. NOW hie is racing through the track. Today is no exception. Conditions: grass (2 inches) soft sod, wet AM grass (7:30am) at Union City Park. No wind. We do TARGET WALK to 5 feet in front of flag (this works to calm him down) and ask for DOWN, place leash under right leg (does his DOWN OK - hesitates to do it but no pop ups). Release to Track - say SUCH. Leaps to track, hold ground so he remains on scent pad longer. Let him go. I think my overhandling him is making him think there is a corner (standing still cues him to look left / right for corner!). He passes over the pile of treats on the track without noticing and continues frantically overshooting 1st corner. Feel like i am wrestling him a bit. He gets a tigher second corner and although faster than most times i can ease up and he goest the last leg fast but methodical for the most part.

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The second track was slower. He did a DOWN at the beginning with no hestitation. He remained calmer in his DOWN. He released to the track and was calmer when he was at scent pad. He was slower on the track and did not miss the pile of food on the first leg OR the second leg. Did a bit of overshooting the corner but not bad and quickly found the track. No overshooting the second corner. Nice pacing on last leg. Will definitely feed him more than 1/2 cup of food prior to tracking and work on longer DOWN and longer on Scent Pad as well as work on not cueing corners as much and quieter handling.

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bodhi and I doing tracks #1 & #2 (see above)- April 13, 2007

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Laying down a ratio of 4:10 (food to step). Slower decrease of food over time so he is not so franticly looking for food to tell him he is right? No food going into corner (about 2-3 steps prior) around the corner or out of the corner (3-4 steps). He was doing a good job the first 3-5 times I tried this but now he is trying to cut the corner and/or acts frantic as he is overshooting the corner turn. I do like the idea of him discrimintating and getting rewarded for the right choice and i think i will stand stock still and gather lead when frantic so he can not swing left or right as much as well as do more Steve White HIT tracking to even out his strides while on track.

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bodhi and I doing track #1 (see above)- May 11, 2007

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Using Steve White's HIT method on concrete. The track was much longer but the sun was out and it dried up my track before I could lay food on it (and who could think that it is sunny at 9am in the morning!) The deserted welfare building parking lot is a bit too pristine (no garbage) but nice controlled ienvironment. I placed food in every 5th pace. I did some straight aways, some serpentines and some turns. The video should show his 'on track' verses 'off track' behavior. He does much, much better where there is still water! Much worse where there is no water left because of the evaporation!

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bodhi and I doing track #1 (see above)- May 23, 2007

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This time he was more 'thoughtful' and slower on the track. He did some circling back and passed up some food (but was on track when he did it (odd). The food definitely tells him he is right! Again, he consistently dd better when the water was still present. He had some issue with some dropped 'tree pods' that looked like food. I have to be careful he doesn't start 'looking' for the food and not using his nose. Not sure if my leash handling is giving him 'clues' on where to go either. Hummm.

...click on image to see video in a new window...

bodhi and I doing track #2 (see above)- May 23, 2007

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