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to CyberHound Last time, I covered the basics of TDX training. This time, I'd like to discuss the AKC's rules about TDX, and how to handle a dog during a TDX trial.
When I became a tracking judge in 1985, I thought I knew the AKC's tracking rules. I didn't - not until I had to interpret them and defend them to others. Exhibitors often asked about my interpretation of the rules, which I compared with other judges. It became all too easy to criticize exhibitors for their lack of knowledge of the rules, without realizing that I used to make some of the same mistakes I was seeing in exhibitors. It was a humbling experience.
Following is a summary of TDX rules:
The dog and handler are brought into the field by the judges at an angle less than 90 degrees from the direction of the first leg, but not lined up with it. The dog must find the proper direction and track. Once the track has begun, the handler may not restart or guide the dog's direction, but may stop and give the dog the scent of the starting article. The handler may help the dog over physical obstacles if necessary, but may not indicate direction of track to the dog.
Handling a dog in TDX is more difficult than in TD. You have to worry about obstacles, crosstracks and multiple articles. Because your dog has to find three unknown articles (the first is obvious at the start flag), you need to keep a sharp eye out for your dog's indication of articles. The best tracking dog I ever had wasn't particularly interested in articles, so on her first TDX, we both ran right over the second (first unknown) article. After that, we trained more on articles.
Many of my friends with other breeds teach their dogs to do certain things at the articles: usually to sit or lay down. However, considering the hound's stubborn temperament, I'm pleased if my dog just stops and way his (or her) tail. So, it behooves you to check out possible articles. I usually drop the lead, walk up to the dog, and pick up the article if it is one. Whether it's an article or not, I stand there and wait for the dog to track another 20 feet before following. I always pick up the articles and wave them overhead so the judges can see them. The rules require you to present the articles to the judges at the end of the track, but if they see you find and pick up each one, they probably won't strictly enforce this rule (I wouldn't). If one of the articles falls out of your pocket and gets lost, you may wish you had waved it clearly for the judges to see.
When the dog is working a turn or crosstrack, I try to stand still and let the dog work at the end of the 40 foot lead if necessary. This gives me some reference as to where the dog was last tracking, rather than wandering all around the field and getting lost (from the track). Only when the dog has committed do I turn and follow. If the dog can't seem to find the track, I usually back up a few steps and let him work a wider area.
At a road crossing, especially paved ones, I expect the turn to go straight across the road. This is not always the case, as an obstacle can be right on a turn, but it is usually the case. So, both in training and at a test, I usually let the dog wander across the road any way he wants, and then I expect to see him pick up the scent approximately lined up with the direction we started across. If he indicates no scent in that most obvious place, then I let him wander over a wider area to look for the track.
Guiding the dog's direction, which is against the rules, is subject to many different interpretations. Most judges consider pointing to the ground after the track has begun to be a restart, which is not permitted in TDX. Some judges don't, however. Verbal commands are usually not guiding, but obviously if you yelled, "left" or "right," and your dog responded, that would be guiding. Restraining your dog is usually not considered guiding unless the judges think you know where the track is. Use caution and ask questions if you can see footprints.
If your dog becomes entangled, stuck, or can't physically get over an obstacle, then drop the lead, walk up to the dog and help him. Then, take a few steps backward and wait until the dog moves out at least 20 feet before following. If you have to help the dog a lot, such as on a lengthy obstacle, it's a good idea to turn around and ask the judges if you can do it. In my opinion, guiding is the most difficult and subjective rule interpretation. So, you need to be cautious when doing anything that might be interpreted as guiding.