Tracking Course

K-9 TRACKING COURSE

(200 HOURS)

THEORY OF SCENT

At the conclusion of these hours the student must show proficiency in:

1. Knowledge of the overall training objectives.

2. Knowledge of work environments.

3. Knowing the performance capabilities of a trained tracking dog.

4. Applying the principles of a tracking dog in training.

5. Defining and understanding the olfactory abilities and availabilities of scent.

6. Recognizing limitations that will effect a dog's ability to detect and identify scent.

7. Employing a tracking dog in an effective manner by taking advantage of the temperature, humidity and available air currents.

FIRST AID AND HEALTH CARE

 The student will be taught the importance of health care and first aid procedures.

1. Properly groom and wash his/her assigned animal.

2. Accomplish health inspection.

3. Understand the importance of normal food ration and food quality.

4. Avoid hazards of improper watering and feeding.

5. Define routine veterinary assistance requirements.

6. Knowledge of diseases and parasites that affects a dog, their symptoms and methods of prevention and treatment.

REPORT WRITING

The student will be taught to write a complete and concise report covering the elements of the crime and support of the probable cause.

LAYING PRACTICE TRACKS

The student will learn the proper way of laying a track to help maintain and build on the dogs ability.

1. Knowledge of how wind direction effects the dog.

2. Applying reference points to remember were the practice track is laid.

3. Knowing and applying the degree of difficulty when laying a practice track.

TRAINING PROCEDURES

Upon conclusion the student must know the steps on how to start a new dog out in tracking and develop motivation to advance the dog's tracking ability.

READING A TRACKING DOG

The student will learn the indications that a dog gives when tracking. When reading a dog on a track there will never be two dogs that will have identical indications. The student will be familiar with:

 
1. On track indications.

2. Loss of track indications.

3. Discovery of track indications.

4. Determination of track direction.

5. Behavior changes.

6. Sensitive feel of the dog when on the line.

7. Indication of an article.

 ADVANCING THE TRACKING DOG

Upon conclusion of these hours the student must show proficiency in the completion of advancing the tracking dog from basic tracking to advance tracking.