HITT Tracking

  Earlier this year, I bought Steve and Jennifer White's Tracking DVD, second edition. I've always wanted to try tracking, and after reading about the Whites' innovative method of training police dogs, I knew that's what I wanted to train.
  The Hydration Intensified Tracking Training method dovetails well with my training philosophy:

1. Train for the most difficult situations right from the beginning.
2. Break everything into small, easily achievable units.
3. Allow the dog to fail, but only after thoroughly training the exercise.
4. Never correct the dog.
5. Start on asphalt- a big advantage when living in the middle of the city. I have lots of places to train!

 I chose Wager (Scottish Terrier) to be my HITT guinea pig. Wager started training last spring, completing some easy tracks on asphalt in various of places around town. I didn't track all summer, but when I took him out for a refresher last week, he picked it right up where he left off. The video above is from last spring. Wager seems to LOVE tracking. He barks impatiently in the van while I prepare his tracks. It is so exciting to watch a dog follow his nose! I love it too.
  The only disadvantage I have with this training is the lack of a training partner. I am laying all of Wager's tracks myself. Not many people train for AKC tracking tests in Colorado Springs, and none that I know of are using the HITT system. I was discouraged about this because I was afraid Wager might not be able to pass an AKC tracking test after being trained with handler-laid tracks. But someone on the HITT Yahoo Group recently finished her VST (Variable Surface Tracking title, considered to be the most difficult tracking test) and SHE said she laid all her own tracks during training. So I think it's possible.
  My plan is to eventually get Wager into a "traditional" tracking training class, after he's already been trained with the HITT method. Of course, I'd still love to have a tracking partner! Contact me if you're interested.