The above picture shows Karleen Ammann with Frisco CAN TDX AM TD working towards AM TDX title.

Tracking Definitions

Terminology Glossary of Tracking Terms

This glossary was compiled using definitions found in the references in tracking books.

AIR SCENT : The airborne scent left by a person, animal or object. (Is also used as a verb when the dog attempts to follow a track by locating the airborne scent left by the tracklayer.) (Barwig & Hilliard)

ARTICLE : An item left on the track by the tracklayer for the dog to find. (Barwig & Hilliard)

BACKTRACK : Retracing steps over a portion of the track that has already been completed. (Ganz & Boyd)

BLIND TRACK : Laid by another person and totally unknown to the handler. (Ganz & Boyd)

BODY SCENT : The unique aroma surrounding each individual. The scent a dog follows is a combination of “track scent” and “body scent.” (Barwig & Hilliard)

CAST : Stray or wander off a track for more than 3′ on either side. (Something the dog does.) (Ganz & Boyd)

CERTIFICATION : A written statement by an AKC tracking judge that a dog has satisfactorily completed a track equivalent to a TD tracking test. Such a document is required when entering an actual TD test. (AKC Tracking Regulations)

COURSING : Sweeping back and forth across the track in wide arcs. (Also called “quartering.”) (Ganz & Boyd)

COVER : The type of vegetation covering the ground. Examples: short grass, hay, woods.

COVER CHANGES : Changes in vegetation that occur on a single track. (Ganz & Boyd)

CROSS-TRACKS : Diversionary tracks which intersect the primary track. In tracking tests, cross-tracks are laid deliberately to test the dog’s ability to discriminate between the “right” scent and other scents. In training (and in tests) animals and people sometimes provide unplanned cross-tracks.

DEEP NOSE : The dog’s characteristic in tracking whereby it takes full scent and tracks with its nose close to the ground. This is a desirable quality. (Barwig & Hilliard)

DROP : An article placed on the track to be located by the dog. Can also be a food drop (used in training). (Ganz & Boyd) FH (Fahrtenhund) : The most advanced tracking title awarded in the sport of Schutzhund. (Barwig & Hilliard)

FOULED TRACK : Compromised (or “polluted”) by an unplanned scent. (Ganz & Boyd)

FRINGE : The immediate area on either side of the primary track. (Ganz & Boyd) HIGH

NOSE : The dog’s characteristic in tracking whereby it tracks with its nose too high above the ground. A dog with high nose is using air scent as well as the track scent and will lose points during the tracking portion of the Schutzhund evaluation. (Barwig & Hilliard)

INDICATION : The change in the behavior of the dog that signals the handler to a loss of scent, a turn, an article, etc..

LEG : Segment of a track between the start and first turn or between subsequent turns. (Ganz & Boyd)

NON-RESTRICTIVE HARNESS : A harness that does not restrict the dog’s shoulder movement. (Ganz & Boyd)

OBSTACLE : Obstruction or hindrance that interrupts dog’s scenting. May be natural or man-made and dog and/or handler may have to go around, over or through it. (Ganz & Boyd)

PLOT : to lay out a track and/or make a map. (Ganz & Boyd)

PRIMARY TRACK : The track the dog is to follow. (Ganz & Boyd)

QUARTERING : See Coursing.

SCUFFING : Dragging of tracklayer’s feet to leave a very concentrated scent. (Ganz & Boyd)

STEPTRACKING : Scenting from one footprint to another. Beneficial in finding articles, sorting out primary track from cross-tracks, and working older and/or longer tracks. (Ganz & Boyd)

TRACKING DOG : The title awarded by the AKC to dogs which have successfully completed a TD track at a licensed tracking test. (AKC Tracking Regulations)

TRACKING DOG EXCELLENT : The title awarded by the AKC to dogs which have successfully completed a TDX track at a licensed tracking test. (AKC Tracking Regulations)

TRACK SCENT : The scent of the ground surface that has been disturbed by the tracklayer. The scent a dog follows is a combination of “track scent” and “body scent.” (Barwig & Hilliard)

VARIABLE SURFACE TRACKING : A type of tracking, recently added to the AKC’s tracking events, in which the dog follows human scent across a variety of surfaces on a single track. The title VST is awarded by the AKC to dogs which successfully complete a VST track at a licensed tracking test. (AKC Tracking Regulations)

WHISTLE : What the judge uses to indicate that a dog and handler have lost the track and failed a test. Glen Johnson describes the “chilling pain” of getting a whistle, but it’s doubtful you’ll need therapy.