In the past almost 4 years I have been tracking my male akita Dallas. This has been quite an experience to say the least. A lot of people train with food, this only works on certain dogs- of course not mine! I started him around 10 weeks old just playing games with the glove and dragging some food on the ground to get him used to the idea of following a scent. As you well know akitas have a mind of their own. They will do what they want when they want to do it. Motivation is the key. Let them find a person or an article at the end of your track, something they really love. We used a very large stuffed Dalmatian for a while, until the legs were ripped off! He also loved to find people, any people. Just as long as they were glad to see him.

Over the years of training, Dallas changed his tracking style several times. You have to learn to read your dogs tracking style and know as they mature it can change. It helps to have someone else look at the dog and try to see things that you can't. A good trainer and tracking group is a necessity. You need a variety of people to lay your tracks for you or your akita will get bored. Remember akitas are not a breed you usually see at a tracking test or class. People will say, "You wanna track a what"? So don't be surprised!! Knowing this, over training can be a BIG mistake. When your dog is reliable and consistent go for your certification. (A licensed judge must certify you before entering a test) Please also remember that akitas are natural air scenter's. This means they do not put their nose to the ground all of the time. Teach this early on in the game- nose to the ground.

I will tell you that it took me 4 tests to get my TD. The reason is because my dog (took awhile to figure this out) was air scenting the glove at the end of the track!! He figured why go the long way!! Thank goodness persistence pays off! I was the first akita in about 5 years or so to get my TD. I am currently working on TDX and VST with John Bernard (founder of VST variable surface tracking). I have also started my 19-month-old champion bitch in tracking as well. I hope to have her TD in the fall.

Just a final note. Tracking is not for everyone. You cannot be a weather weenie or be afraid to make mistakes. You have to put in the time and the sweat and tears. This is not obedience. You cannot make a dog track, only encourage them and build on their naturally abilities. I LOVE IT!!!

Jame Kahler
jmedogs@msn.com