Resources for training

[Marc Z]

Any recommendations for resources to help with training my cocker to track? We’re getting on well so far, she has a very natural nose for deer work, but being a cocker I need help slowing her down on the track and not sure how to approach doing that.

 

[Keith Edmunds]

A German friend of mine swears by working them hungry and putting the food along the artificial training trail - not at the end. He puts the food in 4 or 5 points along the trail. His view is that the dog is rewarded 'along' the track and will not rush to the end to get the reward. The trail is the prize - not just the end of the trail. He is the most successful dachshund trialler and trainer in Germany and, probably Europe so he is worth listening to.

 

[Marc Z]

A German friend of mine swears by working them hungry and putting the food along the artificial training trail - not at the end. He puts the food in 4 or 5 points along the trail. His view is that the dog is rewarded 'along' the track and will not rush to the end to get the reward. The trail is the prize - not just the end of the trail. He is the most successful dachshund trialler and trainer in Germany and, probably Europe so he is worth listening to.

That’s perfectly sensible - I’ll give it a go

 

[Keith Edmunds]

That’s perfectly sensible - I’ll give it a go

He also doesn't go OTT with praise at the end. A small reward and a 'good boy', pat on the head and that's about it. Very different to other methods where a big fuss is made at the end. I will certainly try this method on our next trainee.