Tracking Dog: Theory & Methods

by Glen R. Johnson

Johnson presents the basics of tracking work, and leads the reader step-by-step through a planned, easy to follow program, which has resulted in 100% success for his students. This success is now yours, regardless of your breed of dog or your past experience. · NEW Foreword by Don Arner · Training Philosophy and Terminology · Determining Behavioral Characteristics · Tracking Training Essentials · T. D. Training Methods · Classical Problem Solving and More!

Genres: Dogs, Nonfiction

214 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

Reviews

[Deborah Coates · Rating 5 out of 5]

The classic book on tracking. I lent my copy to someone and they never returned it (which is what happens to tracking books--don't lend them!), but it's a great book even if we don't completely train that way anymore.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this sure was a very interesting book to say the least. I can't say I agreed with everything set out in it, and the training program is certainly gruelling if followed to the letter.

But it was definitely worth the read and one I would recommend to anyone, novice and expert alike that is interested in tracking.

Tracking training has moved on significantly from when this book was first published, but there are many useful tidbits in this book that I can safely say I'm pleased I actually bought it AND read it. AND will most likely read again or at least refer back to, from time to time.

This is a book that should be in every Tracking enthusiasts library. Not because it is fool proof or a guarantee for success, but because it was and is one of the first attempts to formulate a training program for tracking, and tracking for consistent results.

Much of it is still relevant and makes a great degree of sense. Some of it is...well...some of it is a bit behind the times. But it does get you thinking and wondering, especially when you run into your own tracking 'humps'...why did my dog do that. And to not be afraid to experiment a little bit along the way.

I DO like that he is open to the use of food in tracking, and I smiled when he said he would prefer to start them with food if it wasn't for the prep and mess. It's a lovely little snap shot of a changing way of thinking about how to train dogs. Motivational Training, in a time when dogs had to work for us because they HAD to. And they HAD to work for US, not for something much more tangible to them.

Definitely worth a read.

[Shaina · Rating 3 out of 5]

The outlined training program is way too much too fast (example: novice training begins with tracking three times a day, six days a week) but there are some good tips throughout so still a good resource.

[Savannah Simms · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really helpful primer for tracking!! Dense in some parts and I definitely skipped around, but I know I will be pulling this out and referring back to its content a lot as I get into AKC tracking with my dog

[Stephen Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book on tracking

[Sergio Gómez Senovilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic book that combines an efficient set of techniques with an extensive practical experience. The copy I read is a 1994 revision, but it was originally published in 1977 and is still valid for the training of operational dogs in any speciality, and even for some "sport" disciplines such as the UK Working Trials.

Of course, it is far from the great advances in clinical psychology that have influenced the most current and modern training techniques.
In contrast, the author provides his valuable experience in practical and functional work, something that is very difficult to find today.
Nowadays, any average trainer could obtain results far superior to those proposed by the author; but due to the excessive use of learning techniques, coming from modern clinical psychology, most end up having problems applying them in operational work. This work can be useful for those who want to fulfill this gap between modern learning techniques and operational work results.

A work from 1977, which has not lost its relevance due to the narrowing of the perspective of modern functional work.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, let me say I read this book for writing research dealing not with teaching dogs to track, but to learn more about tracking in general. As such, I skimmed through sections of the book that weren’t of relevance to me.

However, even with skimming quite a bit of this book, I could tell it would be of great value to those who are looking to train their dogs to track. The author seems to know what he is talking about, as he has not only taken the common knowledge of the tracking world, but has also experimented on it to try to figure out why dogs track (or don’t track) the way they do, and how to train them better.

This book didn’t answer the exact question I was reading it for (how old of a trail can dogs track?), but I still learned quite a bit that will be helpful for the fantasy book I’m writing. If you’re wanting to teach your dog to track, this is the book for you!

[Bill Braun · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the classic for teaching your dog to scent track. It is a very methodical book, and is quite prescriptive in the method that training ought to take place. Nonetheless, it is filled with practical knowledge. For the beginner, it tackles a variety of common problems, and gives concrete suggestions on how to remedy the problem.

We return to this book over and over. Although I read it cover to cover on first read, it has become more of a reference book at time passes.

[Abram · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read about the amazing abilities of dogs and how to train them to track.