Does anyone track with their poo? - Poodle Forum - Standard Poodle, Toy Poodle, Miniature Poodle Forum ALL Poodle owners too!

Teffy · 08-08-2010, 07:29 PM

When you track with your poo (LOL I love saying that, I'm so immature) how do you avoid burrs, foxtails and such besides a shave down?

Do you track in the snow? How do you avoid all the snow balls?

While I have your attention, totally off topic, in rally, the honour exercise is ON leash correct? My instructor said it's off leash, I cannot find my rule book to verify that.

flyingduster · 08-09-2010, 02:51 AM

BigPoodlePerson does tracking, or has done anyway, with Riley... Hopefully she'll come in and see this!!!

I don't know what the honour exercise is so I'm no help sorry!!! Can you look up the rules online perhaps??

Margotsmom · 08-09-2010, 07:50 AM

You could get a lycra bodysuit from K9 Topcoat.com I believe some of their designs are intended for hunting dog/tracking dogs.

Feralpudel · 08-09-2010, 02:46 PM

I have done some tracking with Dexter. We live out east, and don't deal too much with burrs, etc. I have seen links to the lycra suits, but worry that they would be very hot except in cold weather.

CA people deal with a sort of foxtails that can burrow into the skin or ear and cause terrible abscesses. Because of that, they usually take a break from tracking when the foxtails are dry and likely to cause a problem.

Dexter did most of his early tracking on fairly short sparse grass in the picnic areas of Rock Creek Park. My mentor Carol Pernicka also advocates teaching them early on that a track may cross the road or a bike path. So you shouldn't necessarily think you need a huge, shoulder high field to start tracking in. Any sort of large grassy area that isn't too horribly heavily used by people or dogs will do (although I've bent that rule, too).

I've never tracked in deep snow, but know people who do. If your dog is accustomed to wearing booties, that would be a possibility, but probably not legal during an actual test. A typical TD training track is 1/4 mile or less. If you are just taking your dog out of the car and running the track, I would think that iceballs are less likely to be an issue than an hourlong romp in the dog park, for example.

There is a wonderfully helpful poodle tracking list on Yahoo. Carol and another tracking judge are on there as well as several other very experienced trackers, and everyone is incredibly helpful and encouraging.

Teffy · 08-10-2010, 04:57 AM

Thanks for your help everyone.

There's a POODLE tracking list??? Gotta find that!
That's a great idea teaching them to start the urban/variable ground early. I AM having trouble finding virgin-ish fields in the city. So, if say I want to cross a gravel/sand/cement path at a park, do I place a food drop on the path as I would on the grass? Do I just treat these new surfaces like grass???
Sounds too easy!

Gotta pick your brain!

SnorPuddel · 08-10-2010, 05:17 AM

My friend in Florida does tracking, she was at PCA 2 years ago and helped out with the tracking event they held.
Living in Florida she does not have to worry about snow and foxtails. She has herself gotten ticks from laying in the grass :(
Tracking is a lot of fun, I think both mine would be great at it

Vibrant · 08-10-2010, 06:13 AM

My good friend, Renee Koch, put the first Tracking Championship on a poodle in Canada. She lives in Kitchener, is very involved in tracking and I'm sure would answer any questions you may have. Look up Gardenpath Poodles to find out how to get in touch with her.
I've dabbled in tracking and would like to pursue it more seriously in the future. I've come to the conclusion that Cheers is more of a sighthound, but Troy tends to pick up and follow scents more readily. I just love that poodles are so versatile, and I want to try everything that they possibly can do!!!
I think a bodysuit is the answer to protecting the dog from weeds, burrs and snow. I know some people track with their poodles in full show coat!!!

Teffy · 08-10-2010, 06:15 AM

Ticks...ouch! Knock on wood, that hasn't happened to me yet. Yes, tracking is a lot of fun. I tried it out with no intentions of going anywhere with it, but am addicted to it now. It has done wonders on Tessa's self esteem, there's no corrections, no commands except...go track. I think any food motivated dog would be great at it, you should definitely try it.

Vibrant · 08-10-2010, 06:17 AM

[QUOTE=Teffy;1103

While I have your attention, totally off topic, in rally, the honour exercise is ON leash correct? My instructor said it's off leash, I cannot find my rule book to verify that.[/QUOTE]

Yes, it is on leash,(have a 6 ft leash) and only at the Excellent level. The judge decides if it will be a sit or down.

Teffy · 08-10-2010, 06:27 AM

I've met Renee Koch in person and online on a tracking list. I did ask her the same question earlier this year and she did reply, but I somehow erased all my emails and addresses by accident. It's because of her, I got into tracking. She introduced me to Marie-P Babin who's now my mentor and, I've joined the tracking club.

Are you joking? IN FULL SHOW COAT??? Holy camoly, that's brave!

I agree Vibrant, I want to try everything with my girls. I don't know think they can do most things that Standards can do, but would love to try at least once. I met this fabulous trainer, Cheryl who said that we should try herding. That's insane! (in a good and exciting way) If only I had a Standard or a feisty mini, no my girls I think would hide behind me when they meet those sheep.

Thanks for the Gardenpath Poodles name, I'll google her now and say hello and ask her again 'sheepishly'.