When leaving the scent pad please exit with a double-step as seen in the image. Then put your toe against your heel and walk 20 steps or so.Make sure that you step hard in the ground. Place 1 piece of kibble in each step. We do not have a preference whether you place it. Somewhere in the middle of the foot is fine.
At the end of 20 steps, you will have either another Scent Pad (with kibble and a jackpot) or a jackpot.
When you are laying this track please make sure that you are not going upwindas it makes it more difficult for the dog. Downwind is preferred.
While the dog is working the Scent Pad, stand in your double-step blocking the dog from tracking it. Once you think you are ready – stand to the side.
It is ok at this point if the dog gets a little excited or even tries to go back on the track. This is a new exercise. Help him by standing still with your leash and not letting go back too far.
As always, when the last jackpot is done – lure the dog out of the track.
Please repeat this tracking exercise at least 20-25 times before moving on. The dog must remain calm and committed to the track. You can vary different terrains as much as you can as long as your dog is successful.
Example of track creation – 03:01 sec. You can see Tobias uses a pipe to drop kibble. This makes it so much more expedient.
You will see in the video that in the beginning the dog needs some help to slow down, he is very hectic so what Tobias is doing he is applying gentle leash pops in order to make him make him a bit slower. When Tobias mentions “help your dog” this means: try to figure out a way to calm your dog down, don’t freak out. Just be calm and try to help your dog as much as necessary. A help can be anything from your voice, the leash or touching the dog.