Case Studies – Tracking

I want to thank you so much for your time we spent with you this year. It was a humbling experience and one I will remember forever. It is nice to know you have such high standards for your work and dogs. It is of no surprise you will be successful in your book. I hope to get it as soon as it is out in print. Your work and your dogs are magnificent examples of what a true working dog should be. Your breeding program speaks for itself when you see your dogs and the work you have done with them. I know many people who have lost sight of the “Total dog” because they are breeding them too large and they end up with dogs with so many problems. You have managed to keep in mind the work a working dog should be doing and not lose sight of an Intelligent, even tempered dog.

It is not often you come across a person who has goals for his breeding and working program. Today you will see people who only hold the value of money and they are short lived and not remembered. Kris you will go down in history as a man who has protected the breed in doing so you are protecting the world. Imagine a world where a dog can only look pretty and not be able to work. That would be great if you could save a life from behind a desk. Your training and dogs get the job done. What more could you ask for?

Again thank you for your knowledge on picking the puppy who will work and thank you for your time. I can’t wait to send you video footage of my next litter.

Congratulations on your brilliant ‘bible’ on tracking.

It is very in-depth and comprehensive, well worth reading several times over. A valuable asset in any dedicated dog persons library.

Bev Ross –  former president of the Victorian Doberman Club was a passionate driver for the total Dobermann. Bev left her mark on the Doberman in many ways and in-particular her contribution to the improvement in conformation. Bev was also instrumental in introducing Herr Ottmar Vogel to Australia in an effort to educate all Dobermann enthusiasts. I

miss You miss you Bev and Bill …..’Kris K’ 

As someone who is new to tracking Kris’s new book how to achieve precision tracking is a great tool to help build a foundation of knowledge and experience in a way to achieve success and quality tracking with your dog. It has a very easy step by step guide explaining in good detail which is easy to understand on how to start and achieve the end goal to have a reliable tracking dog. Even if you do not want to go to the extreme’s Kris uses the knowledge you gain from the book will help you to come up with your own revised method for training.

I was fortunate to attend Von Forell’s Decoy workshop by Kris in Western Australia. I must say it is an eye opener of a seminar;  at times it can feel overwhelming and a little confusing but as time passes and you think through the points Kris has put forward it becomes a lot more clearer. On what is required of dogs and the projection each dog display in given situations. As you start to understand these projections you are able to read the dogs better in the drive and state of mind the dog are in at that moment.

When you start to notice weakness and strengths you can get a grip of what is really required of a dog to do any type of drive training.

With Kris’s knowledge and experience you know you are getting the best advice available and if needed he is easily available for follow up questions.
With Kris’s dedication to improving the abilities of the working dog breeds, when it comes time to get myself a new dog there is only one kennel and one person I will turn to and that is Kris Kostopolus and Von Forell.

“Achieve Precision Tracking With Your Dog” is what you will obtain with this Kris’s book. I consider it to be my bible for tracking, giving me an inspirational step by step guide. The book addresses a clear understanding for beginners to advance and will inspire you to achieve more out of training.

After reading the book I just wanted to say thank you to Kris. The book shows you have devoted a lot of time and effort into the learning methodology of tracking so that it can be comprehend for everyone’s level.

Thank you for sharing your informative and inspirational knowledge.

I have read this book and I have been impressed with the correct and relevant information for training a tracking do. As a trainer of search and detection dogs for over 25 years I saw great value in this book as a teaching aid for students of law enforcement, Search and Rescue or Schutzhund. The book covers all the work to develop a great foundation for both the student and the dog then the last part of training can be customised to suit the operational purpose of the dog. The step by step methodology is clear and simple to understand, I even gave the book to a total novice to clarify this and yes the novice clearly knew how to start training a tracking dog.

Kris Kotsopoulos has done a great job with this book and I highly recommend “How To Achieve Precision Tracking With Your Dog” to the keen amateur or experienced professional dog trainer. “How To Achieve Precision Tracking With Your Dog” should also be a key reference and training aid for all dog training Instructors. I personally will be replacing my old tracking teaching material with “How To Achieve Precision Tracking With Your Dog” for my future Dog Training Students.

“How To Achieve Precision Tracking With Your Dog” will make a great addition to any Dog Training Library.

A very worthwhile read!!

Traditional training methods for tracking can easily result in incomplete or downright poor associations forming in the dogs mind as to what exactly he is tracking. The use of food in traditional training methods often makes searching for food more rewarding to the dog than tracking in search of the track layer’s scent. This poor association often results in poor technique and inconsistency especially once food rewards are taken away from the track as the handler trains the dog through progressively harder tracks.

Kris’ book outlines a means to instill very quickly in the dog’s mind that it is the track layer’s scent and specifically the on articles that is the goal of his track. The book offers to take the trainer through the steps to instill this initial association in the dog’s mind and then the means by which to fix reliable tracking and article indication behaviours in the dog.

It puts tracking and training in a whole new light. Here in the Central United States we have all been taught to teach a dog to find ground disturbance. Food in the footstep has always been the reward for keeping the head down, and we all HOPE the dog will follow a track because he has found treats in the footsteps.

This method has proven unreliable time after time. Dogs fail trial after trial.

The methods in the “Precision Tracking” book make a lot of sense, and  are easy to communicate to the dog. In Kris’s book, he covers teaching a dog to “track” human scent on the ground and on the article. This creates a reliable tracking dog.. The dog is learning to use his nose…..

So many people have issues with the dog racing down the track.. Kris’s method of using the SLOW command to come up to the track really makes sense and is a good way to slow the dog down and get his mind in the right place.

Other tracking books and videos do not cover the steps to track starting from the dog getting out of his kennel.. The books is very much a step by step training guide , every sequence is described in detail.

I also felt the section on remote training is very valuable. Most handlers do not have the skills or knowledge to use the remote trainer correctly to proof the skills they have taught the dog. I have read the book once, now I am STUDYING the book, lesson by lesson.

I will recommend this book to other Schutzhund handlers.

I operate a business in Canada called Trackers Edge. Amongst other things, I evaluate products and services for potential clients. I am independent and do not advise the business or service I am evaluating of my intentions so as to be treated as a regular customer. I have acquired every noteworthy tracking book I have heard of. I am interested in tracking with and without a dog.

I stumbled upon “How To Achieve Precision Tracking With Your Dog” while doing ongoing research on the internet. I had a gut feeling about this book which is written by Kris Kotsopoulos. I ordered it right away and was surprised at how fast it arrived from the other side of the world. I was not disappointed. The book is well organized and clear. It is an ideal training manual. Most books of this nature have a tendency to repeat what has been written before on the topic.

This is not plagiarism, but rather due to the fact that most people do not think outside of the box. There are as many “experts” in this field as there are dogs. The refreshing thing about this book is that Kris has taken information gained by past research and assembled it in an orderly fashion that all can understand. Equally refreshing is the fact that Kris clearly states that there is more than one way to do things. He looks at the big picture and even has some noteworthy philosophical comments that are enlightening. His sections on clickers and electronic training collars are some of the clearest and best written chapters that I have read on the topics.

You may not agree with everything in the book, but that is the whole point he makes. As opposed to forcing a set of rules down your throat he presents what he believes to be valid ideas with the hopes that you will use these ideas as you would any other tools, in the right way and under the right circumstances. There are many fine books out there on tracking by many fine people. This book is definitely on my top two list. I believe you should have an whole arsenal of training books. Read them all if you can as each has something to offer, but if you can only read a couple make this book one of them.

Kevin McCormick

For years I have been struggling with the conventional methods of training with regards to Tracking and I encountered, two ends of the spectrum in the main. The use of food as a manipulator to get the tracking per footstep and this brought the dog to a certain level.

On the other end you have the forced track, which is basically useless in certain endeavors like Law Enforcement. But Kris’ methods go way beyond, conventional training. It is so simple and easy to follow I wondered why no one else came up with this methodology before. but therein lies the genius. because once you start to really apply the method, you really start to see the direct effects it has on your training and the confidence you have in your dog’s understanding of what is asked.

Kris’ methodology takes into account the way dog’s perceive the scent stimulus, and what is necessary to have reliable results, every time you track. By proofing it under this method I am sure my dog is tracking the article laid by a human in every setting.
For me it is a quantum leap in application of understanding of dog’s physiology and psychology when it comes to them receiving the scent information and proper harnessing of such into a performance event.

Whether it is the competition field or the streets, Kris’ precision tracking is worth a read, and a re-read for every level !

On a personal note, I have to recommend Kris’ work in this book and also Kris as a consultant as he has been so meticulous and generous with his advice to me. It is clear he comes from a point of well researched knowledge and experience and is willing to share it to assist others.

Thanks again Kris.

Vithala Singh

Hi Kris,

I have read your book twice.  I am blown away by the simplicity and logic of your method.  All the difficult areas of tracking are really anticipated and “cured” before they occur!  It even addresses one of the biggest tracking problems we have in the Southern U.S. – fire ants, which swarm on the food on the track, turning a reward into a punishment.

Since the dog starts out tracking for articles – no ants, no bites, no problem! I also applaud your detailed explanation on how to introduce and train with a remote collar.  I know I need to use some sort of stim to get faster response and greater attention in other areas, but was not sure how one goes about educating the dog in the new communication system.

In that vein, some of your most insightful words are found on pages 14 and 15.  When I reread them, I realized they are not only aimed at those of us who have preconceived ideas of how something should be done, but can just as easily apply to the canine/human communication.  Dogs who haven’t been taught what the stim means and how the system works, cannot be expected to comply.  Upping the voltage in hopes of compliance is like speaking progressively louder English to  a non English speaker.  He may eventually stumble upon what you want, but chances are he would not respond correctly the next time he heard those words.  In short, he still didn’t understand what you were saying.  Eventually learning will occur, but how much stress could have been avoided by an attempt to communicate better.

I suspect your book may be pooh poohed by many members of the schutzhund community – not because of the e collars, which they use (some heinously, some appropriately) – but because people don’t realize the former system is flawed until they have problems and then it is blamed on the dog and force is introduced to “work through it.”  If one  truly believes in positive training and back chaining etc., this system is a no brainer.  My husband is getting his own dog in coming months and we will definitely use this system from the beginning.

As for my dog, I actually performed your various tests to insure that she knows what she is tracking.  She is having some trouble with the hour old track, which I have been walking rather than scuffing.  She veers off occasionally, but comes right back.  I can tell she is working and she corrects herself.  I think  I let her build up steam before telling her to slow (handler error) and that is causing mistakes.

With the weaker ground disturbance odor, she has got to work a bit harder. I am just so unused to speed being a problem with this dog.   I know we will get this, though.

Ps…Just got back from tracking an hour aged Sch 3 track – she nailed it even through puddles.  So much fun!

Thanks for your good work

Jay Tullis

I started doing dog tracking with my female German Shepherd dog in 2010. Initially I tried to find a dog trainer near me but I couldn’t find one.

As I have no experience in dog tracking I decided to purchase a few good rated books from local and online bookshops and give it a go myself. I thought by reading these books I could achieve a better understanding of how dogs track and how I can assist them. However I was wrong. Those books were over my top and I couldn’t even get started. It took me almost 6 months to find someone from a dog obedience club to help me start tracking training with my dog.

Recently I found Kris’ new tracking book “How to achieve precision tracking with your dog” and it totally opened my eyes. This book shows how to apply positive reinforcement to do the marker, tracking scent discrimination and E collar training with tracking. Until now I have not seen any tracking books other then this book applying modem theories and technologies in dog tracking.

One of the best things about this book is it provides readers step by step instructions in tracking methods and they are very easy to follow. If I were to find this book 2 years earlier it would have saved me a lot of time training my dog.
I believe this book will help a lot of beginners like me training their dogs tracking as a hobby.  It will also help tracking dog trainers or people who are serious about tracking dog competitions to achieve their goals.

This is a book not to be missed!

Hong Lin

Kris has done an outstanding job in his new book. His clarity in compartmentalizing all the foundational building blocks, is logical and attainable. With Kris’s decades of world wide traveling experience, both as a serious young student of K-9 behavior, breeding and training all give reason to why he is a sought out international K9 seminar master instructor, he has integrated common sense, science and progressive Canine training to produce a viable and quality program.

The strength in this system is the global approach he describes from defining the most basic task at hand, to clarifying the dogs perspective to understand, to the bench marks needed to go to the next level. The results of implementing this thorough and progressive protocol, are clearly leading to the formation of solid nose working teams around the globe.

This is a game changer when it comes to the traditional educational and instructional text, that normally ends up as a better book end, than podium producer, bottom line when you become a student of this system and do the steps as prescribed, it works!

Scott Sanchez
Vice President of Research & Development
www.SitMeansSit.com
Serving Locations Worldwide
Tel # USA 001 808 283 6121
ScottSanchez@SitMeansSit.com

The author has worked with dogs since 1981, at many levels with first time owners and with Law Enforcement handlers and competitors.

He has realised that not all animals are reliable if they are forced to track out of fear of correction; He encourages and uses other means to get dependable work with success. His approach to tracking and the success achieved by his methods is very impressive.

He speaks of the importance of the scent pad, how to approach the laying of the track-and what one should be looking for from the dog when working. How one reads a dog and what one should look for is very important – also what the dog is trying to tell you.

All written in simple and understandable language even for a beginner- set in easy step-by-step chapters with pit falls also explained.

One feels success and believes one will succeed, something one does not often find many books which get too technical.

To observe and promote certain aspects so that the dog becomes reliable because no pressure has been placed on them to achieve successful track. The importance of reliability is referred to many times through out the book.

He explains in his experience how many handlers are not able to go and work as they are not confident and cannot rely on their dog to complete the track. Often because the dog is fearful of making mistakes because of other harsher means are used to teach or correct.

He explains how to introduce articles-eliminate your dog missing them-how to teach corners and to stop overshooting. One very important aspect is to how to keep control whilst tracking and slow an enthusiastic animal down without destroying its motivation

He sets food for thought for the handler, why did this happen what am I am doing wrong. He also explains he has been there and this was how he wrote the book because he wanted to have positive outcome.

The writer is also a good instructor who works his own dogs with excellent success.

There is a Glossary of terms explaining what is meant in the book. If I had gone looking for a book written purely about tracking one could possibly have found one or two in this category, but one need look no further when purchasing this book for it stands out on its own it is a must for the book shelf.

Excellent value for money and very well produced. Kris has written a book for any person to read and understand whether they are a beginner or experienced. Which has long been waited for. This is a book that both Trials and Schutzhund enthusiasts will find interesting.

Dorothy A Cullum

Head trainer GSD League from UK (1995 to 1999)
Kennel Club Founder member of the Accredited Training Scheme.
News Editor of Dog Training Weekly 1993 to 1998.
Our Dogs Breed Correspondent.
Championship Obedience Judge/ Good Citizens Scheme Judge

Having just finished reading your book Precision Tracking, I thought I would take the time to tell you how much I enjoyed and learnt from  it.  The step by step instructions are fantastic for a beginner or a World Champion and the issues that you may already have in regards to tracking can be ironed out using your methods.  The clarity of the training is very clear and easy to understand, for both the handler and the dog.  The way you teach the article indication is truly the best way to teach your tracking dog.

The introduction of the Remote Trainer is fantastic, I can attest to how well it works from your Remote Trainer Seminar that we did last year.  To teach  five exercises in one day was an eye opener for all.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in tracking of course, but also to anyone with an interest in dog behaviour and how dogs learn.  The science behind the writing is spot on and the methods can and should be used in all areas of dog training.

Using these techniques in your book, I have seen improvement in my dogs all-round performances and as a Professional Dog Trainer, I have learnt new ways of doing things that bring more clarity to the dog and that results with a better bond and a better result at the end of the day.

Brent Dry

“As I complete my second reading of this book I am reminded of the many reasons that I found it so helpful in the first place.  I am about to commence tracking training with my young dog and will incorporate the methods outlined so very clearly in each chapter of this book.

I am a beginner at tracking competition/training and found helpful information throughout all chapters of the book. Of particular interest was Kris’s comprehensive explanation of the use of the ‘remote training’ collar and I urge all training enthusiasts to read this section as it will dispel the many myths that accompany the use of this very powerful tool, not only in tracking but in all aspects of dog training.

Whether you choose to incorporate this in your training schedule or not is an individual consideration however knowing the correct way to use will never be wasted knowledge.

Early in his book Kris invites the reader to contact him with any queries about either the book or individual training problems. I accepted the invitation! Having gained our first two titles very quickly, I was bought back to earth quite soundly by failing my test for Tracking Champion more times that I am prepared to admit, so I contacted Kris via his e-mail address.

He responded and was most generous in his help at both theoretical and practical levels. The result was that we achieved our ‘Tracking Champion’ two weeks later at the next tracking trial.

This book is economically priced and would be a wonderful addition to any dog trainers library”

Bobbee Terrill 

I have finally had the chance to read your book after purchasing it early in the year. My employer and fellow trainers have all wanted to read the book first. As they were more involved with training their dogs for tracking I agreed.

After the first read through I am reading it the second time to soak up some more information. It is the best written book on dog training I have ever read. Not only the information on tracking but all the detailed, easy to read and understand information on training tools, techniques and animal behavior.

In my opinion as a novice in training compared to more experienced trainers it is a must to read. I strongly recommend that all trainers read this book. It will not only benefit the person wanting to compete in tracking but like me the K9 handler working in the security protection field and obedience training.

It is so difficult finding anyone with the skills to learn from but even more difficult to get them to pass these skills on. Here we have good basic easy to understand knowledge that will help you to get more out of your dog. In my case a break from just bite work and obedience training.

Thank you Kris for writing this book and being so free with your knowledge. I can’t wait to attend one of your seminars.

All the best and please keep on passing this information onto us.

Les Simpson

Hello Kris,

It has been a long time.  I have used your book to train my current show line female.  Ziva is doing very well.  The difference is amazing when you just change the method of teaching.

She tracks a Sch3 track very nicely after about 5 months worth of work.  We are ready for our Sch1/IP1 track, obedience and protection are taking just a bit longer.

I found your book an easy read and the instructions are very easy to follow.  I simply went step to step until I had Ziva tracking very nicely.  Thank you for such a comprehensive tracking guide.

Cheryl Mathis 

Hi I am a breeder of show line and working line German shepherds, I have been breeding and training for over 25 years. This book is extremely well written, easily understood, which for me in an educational book is very important, the step by step methods makes it almost impossible for you to not be able to teach your dog to track in a precision manner consistently. I now understand why I have had the problems I have encountered over the years with tracking, and I am confidant using these methods set out in this book, I will have a 100 point track the next time I trial.

Highly recommended for anyone who want to learn not only the correct method of tracking but why we are using these methods.

Finally I have been totally against training with e collars but after reading how to train correctly, I can see how it can be a useful tool unlike any training I have seen with the e collar previously.

A quote from the book that a lot of trainers should take note “Dogs which are forced to learn, rarely perform up to their true potential”

Thank you Kris

Jenny Griffin 

“I had the pleasure of hearing Kris speak about tracking and his approach changed my dogs article indication instantly – ingenious!”

Sue Ng

“When I was taught this new way of teaching my dogs how to concur corners my jaw dropped. Since then my dogs have never missed a corner.”

Greg Baldwin

Thanks to Kris for the release of his NEW Tracking book ” How to achieve precision tracking with your dog”.
As a student of N.D.T.F course in Dog Behavior I highly recommend anyone who is interest or keen to understand dog behaviour and training principles to read this book as it helped me understand and gain more knowledge not only in tracking.

The book itself will actually talk to you as if you were having a conversations with Kris. I sometimes have question for myself ” what does that mean?” as I read the next paragraph there is the answer.

The book is amazing as it talk about all the fundamental and perspective on tracking, also the information and motivation of using the right tools in the right way on the right time. The book takes you step by step, day by day to reach your goals in excellent tracking.

Mohannad Al Hersh

My name is Thomas Lapp and I live and train in Germany. I have been involved in Dog Sport for 35 years. I have participated 16 times at the BSP and 4 times for Germany at the WUSV. In 2007 I won the BSP and in 2007 and 08 and I won the WUSV with the German team. I have bred 60 German Shepherd litters under the Kennel Von Den Woelfen and I’m a judge for working dogs since 2002.

I have just read the new tracking book “How To Achieve Precision Tracking With Your Dog” written by Kris Kotsopoulos from Australia and it was very interesting reading for me. I have picked up new ideas and I will include these ideas into my training. The book is for every tracking handler and a very good manual for tracking training.

Thomas Lapp

Kris Kotsopoulos was one of my coaches at the beginning of my Dog Sport career in Australia, and still is one of my closest friends after I had migrated to Belgium. In his latest book “How To Achieve Precision Tracking With Your Dog”, Kris shares his lucid, methodical, and comprehensive system of tracking. In my original exposure to Dog Sport some of Kris’s tracking ideas were integrated into my tracking. Eight years later the entire system has evolved and has been streamlined and systematised.

I highly recommend his book to Schutzhund/IPO hobbyists and sport competitors and any tracking enthusiasts who are looking for refreshing ideas to expand their own tracking systems.

• B.Sc. La Trobe University
• 7 Times FMBB/FCI IPO World Championship Competitor
• 2009 Belgian IPO Special CAC Winner
• 2010 Belgian IPO CAC Winner
• Licensed FCI IPO Judge

Felix Ho

Hi Kris,

I have just finished reading your Tracking book and thoroughly enjoyed it. As far as I know, both from training with the Dog Sport and ANKC based fraternities, the various methods used by both to teach tracking are quite different to the approach you have taken.

The system you describe seems completely logical to me, and if implemented correctly, would be the best way to maximize the dog’s understanding of the task. It leaves me wondering why no-one else here in Australia has not implemented this method before.

Congratulations on a thoroughly educational and easy to follow publication. I now look forward to putting this into practice with my new puppy, now 8 weeks old.

Julie Urie

I recently read ‘HOW TO ACHIEVE PRECISION TRACKING WITH YOUR DOG’ by Kris Kotsopolous and found it to be both thought provoking and motivating. The book has a clear step by step learning method on training your dog in precision tracking and demonstrates these methods in a clear and precise manner.

It has practical information for both the beginner to advanced handler as well as covering all procedures and equipment needed for dog and handler alike. I thoroughly enjoyed it a lot and was inspired use these training methods as they are both practical and logical whilst being informative.

All aspects of the book will help you achieve your goals faster than ever before and if you follow them rigidly I can’t see why you will not achieve your best results yet. Many people are going to benefit from reading this book and following the descriptive training methods within.

I would recommend this to any person wanting to get the most from their dog whilst using modern and tested training techniques.

James Graig 

Hi Kris,

Thanks for our copy of your new book “How To Achieve Precision Tracking With Your Dog” We were most impressed at the simplicity of the step by step procedures and the theory behind it which made so much sense including the insights into clicker and e-collar training the correct way to achieve tracking goals in an easy to understand format.

We look forward to the opportunity of implementing your knowledge into tracking with our working line German Shepherd Dog and highly recommend your book as a must read for anyone contemplating any form of tracking and scenting work. Thanks again Kris, we will stay in touch with our tracking as we progress through Schutzhund training.

Darryl & Ann Marie Abbott

I have trained dogs for 30 yrs in both private security and sport. This book gives the trainer some fresh ideas. I personally liked Kris’s method for introducing the articles. An easy to understand manual for both the novice and professional.”

Uwe Doose

I would like to congratulate Kris for the effort he has put into writing and publishing this publication and the systematic approach that he has put in place to teach handlers to teach their dogs.

As an Ex-Military Police Dog Handler I had my mind set on ONLY training techniques that I knew and comfortable with. Now as a civilian with my own K-9 business I realise that times and training has dramatically changed to suit individual circumstances and I had to learn other methods to compliment mine.

Kris’s book has shown me a whole new world with excellent results. The way Kris has covered touchy subjects, the step by step instructions for advanced and novice instructors is very refreshing indeed. You can apply ANY of these training methods to ANY situation.

Keep up the great work you are doing for the Australian Dog Training fraternity Kris, and I can’t wait to be part of one of your classes in the near future.

Dave Bowgen

I would recommend to all beginners as well novices to read Kris’s book on step by step tracking. It is full of very important information for beginners. Also I feel that many of the more experienced trainers could also benefit from Kris’s book, because it goes in to full detail. You can train your dog from this book. Enjoy your reading.

Gene England – Trainer of dogs and handler and top trainers around the country. I have trained several people to the World Championship Level. I have competed on the WUSV World Team many times. I won the International World Championship in Tengen West Germany with 290 points. I have also won every Championship in the USA at least one time). When I recommend reading someone’s book, and you want to learn read Kris’s Book.

Gene England

“After passing my third tracking trial with my German Shepherd (in which once again I struggled) I thought I had finally started to understand what to look for.

How wrong I was!

“How To Achieve Precision Tracking With Your Dog” by Kris Kotsopoulos has shown me the light! Being a Novice tracker I relied solely on trusting my dog, after reading Kris’ book I can now completely trust my dog and myself when preparing for the track and while on it. Not only is it a great book to better help you understand how to train your dog for spot on tracking but an all round guide to training your dog in any area including obedience and agility! I look forward to training and trialing this year and will have Kris’ book by my side to be read over and over again!”

Jess Holmes

For many years I have felt mystified at how many people in Australia will elevate and promote foreign trainers and authors while discounting local talent who have certainly earned their place amongst the very best in the industry.

Finally, one of our own has produced a quality manual for taking a novice handler through the process of teaching their dog to track without complicating the procedure. I have personally known Kris for 20 years and it’s hard to ignore his passion and progression in the industry through his breeding programs, training services and now his first book.

This is a wonderful addition to any trainers library or for any dog owner looking to get involved in the art of teaching a dog to track.”

Glenn Cooke

Hi Kris,

I want to say that I really enjoyed your book very much and I do hope you’ll do another on dog training in general because your knowledge and expertise is much needed among the general dog training population and the tracking book alone teaches a lot about learning theory that people need to know whether they track or not!

I love how you divided the book into three sections and made the principles of training and dog behaviour so clear and how it relates to tracking. The stuff on directing drive and energy on Page 106 is SO OFTEN missed by many in tracking, particulary in ANKC tracking. There is a myth that the dog will ‘just do it’ and that tracking erratically, leaking drive all over the place will produce a reliable result.

Your explanation on article indication and how to achieve it reliably and how to do it first… brilliant stuff so often missed. I found your method of corner teaching absolutely fascinating and can well see how it works.

I truly think I ruined my first tracking dog by receiving so many bits of incorrect and conflicting information. What I am now going to do is with my seven year old GSD female, who showed all the promise of being a very good tracker but used to go haywire and wander off so I gave up in the end and just stopped at her TDX, I’ll totally retrain her using your method. This should be a fantastic experiment and learning path for me, based on your philosophy of training.

Thank you so much for writing the book. Again, please do another one on broader training and training for obedience that as you discuss, does NOT involve crushing the dog but being fair and building love for work. Your training philosophy is fantastic. I wish more would adopt it. There would be a huge rise in very happy and successful dogs in comptetition out there!

Heather Hammonds

Hi Kris,

Allow me to say just quickly. I have trained many ways . Dogs for TV, for law and order, law and order special victims, garden state the movie, AKC, Schutzhund with my Doberman female about 10 years ago. I now have new critters, and tracking has been nonexistent as I had no motivation left, however their obedience and protection is good.

Just to let you know my husband and I would love to meet you.

I have a had a quick scan of your new dog tracking book. Took about one hour and I will now read it again thoroughly. I just introduced my Rottweiler male of 12 months to clicker training, which I have been hesitant to use. WOW  does the light bulb go on instantly and before I saw your book I was thinking why not use it for tracking? Then I saw your book…Bingo!

My husband is a physician and has a degree in psychology, he picked it up right away. You are a bright and intelligent person, and the Skinner principles apply to your training.. I think you should put on the front of your book the statement that it is not impossible to achieve a 1500 pace track in 6 weeks. It took 4 + years to train my Dobermann to sch 3. Her scores were very high. 197 + however extremely time consuming and many hot dogs later. I am a new born person looking into the clicker / low stimulation training. thank thank you thank you.

I will keep you posted. I plan on to use my Rottweiler male and my Austrian import Dobermann girl on a test training for 6 weeks in your tracking method. Give me some time and I will report the results. You have a great deal of knowledge. people should read your book. I will be in touch…….. and love your book, Deb and critters from the USA.

Deb Bach

Hi Kris,

I have read your new tracking book. I can honestly say that the book is written in a language that is uncomplicated and easy to implement well done, and although the focus is on competition tracking the fundamentals are easily crossed over to suit operational tracking. The method for teaching the turn or corner is absolutely brilliant when you think about it it’s completely logical, well done.

Danny

Hi Kris,

Just want to let you know that I recently read your tracking book and it enjoyed it immensely. I’ve just returned from Abu Dhabi UAE where I have been training their police K-9 Department in tracking and man trailing. The information in your book was certainly of great benefit and interest to the police officers on the course. I feel your book is the next evolution in precision tracking and I look forward to getting out in the field with you in the future.

Boyd Hooper 

Hi Kris,

Your book on Precision Tracking was very complete and comprehensive.  The book gives a very clear, yet thorough, explanation on animal behaviors, tracking methods and other important topics.  In a very short time frame you covered a lot of methods and theories that every dog trainer needs to know.  One of the best reasons to read your book is because it’s easy to understand, no matter what your level of K9 knowledge is.

Outstanding book, I can’t wait to read your next one.

Brad Smith 

N.T.O.A. National Canine Chairman
SME for California Association of Tactical Officers
Cell: 626-523-4028
www.skidds.com
www.K9TacOps.com