JackShuler.com
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JackShuler.com
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FINDING RELIABLE TRAIL
LAYERS
Trail
Layers And Their Affect On Your Training
Finding someone
to lay a trail for you and your hound to run isn’t always easy.
But locating a reliable, dependable individual who follows
instructions explicitly, regardless of weather conditions can be a
much bigger challenge.
Too often we settle for any warm body willing to shed their scent
through the woods just so that we have someone to hunt up with our
dog. But let’s consider
the affect on your training that a trail layer actually has. A trail layer
(or runner, if you prefer) can have a bigger influence on the
quality of your training than you may realize.
Because they can either greatly enhance or severely hinder
your progress, you should carefully select, then invest some time
into your runners.
Even though our focus is on training the dog, providing a little
instruction for your trail layers can really pay off.
A short rundown on the basics of scent, how we use scent
articles and how trailing dogs work can give an inexperienced trail
layer that extra shot of confidence and enthusiasm.
It may also assist in convincing the dear soul why laying a
trail in the rain can be so fascinating.
Let’s consider what constitutes a good runner:
A trail layer capable of
explicitly following
directions is essential in your training.
If you tell your runner, "Go ¼ mile down the dirt road and
then make a 90° turn to the right and go into the woods", then that is precisely what he should
do. Your dog's training
will suffer if he follows a trail down the dirt road and turns a
direction you did not specify and you pull your dog off the trail
because you told your runner to turn
right and your dog is
going someplace else.
This is negative training and should be avoided! It is also worth mentioning that there are myriad people out there who have never seen a scenting dog work, but who still harbor the heartfelt conviction that they will be able to outwit the dog. It will certainly be a satisfying feeling for you, and an eye-opening experience for them, when your hound ID’s their sorry ass in some jerry-rigged hiding spot. However, you should never allow novice trail layers to take control of your training. You must stay in command and insist that the trail layers do always and only what you ask. Don’t let any runner to turn your trail into a personal battle of wits between themselves and your dog. Stick to your training plan!
It is also imperative that your trail layer be
willing to verbally praise, pet, and reward the hound at the trails
conclusion - even to the point of appearing excessive.
By lavishly praising your dog in a high-pitched, excited tone
of voice, his enthusiasm is greatly enhanced, causing him to work
that much harder on succeeding trails.
Enthusiastic praise cannot be contrived.
If the runner does not truly like dogs or like laying the
trails, it will show.
There's no fooling a bloodhound.
They know authentic praise when they hear it.
A good trail layer must also possess a degree
of initiative and ingenuity.
Rather than wandering off into the woods and sitting like a
bump on a log waiting for the dog to find him, a resourceful trail
layer can add a bit of a surprise for both the handler and hound.
By hiding in an unexpected, highly improbable spot like up a
tree, inside a culvert, underneath a pile of leaves, or behind
camouflage material, the trail layer can add an extra dimension of
challenge and excitement to an otherwise routine trail.
Since people do not always get lost, and felons do not always flee on bright, clear days, it is essential that the bloodhound handler train during darkness and times of inclement weather. This means that you will need willing, amenable trail layers willing to work with you for this type of training.
Recruiting trail layers isn’t so hard if you
know where to look.
If you belong to a local all-breed kennel club, this can be a
very good source to draw from.
The people there already share your love for dogs and are
usually happy to oblige.
Of course, family members and friends are a good resource.
They have to help.
It’s the rules.
Neighbors can be utilized as well as work associates.
One of the largest, untapped wellsprings of runners are the
Boys and Girls Scouting organizations and 4-H clubs.
The kids in these clubs
can be dependable trail layers, but good judgment is still the
order of the day. Even
though many adolescents today don’t want to do much work, they
usually like a good pet trick.
Seeing for themselves that a dog can actually find them after
having given it their best shot to stay lost, is usually worth at
least one more run. Who
knows, you may even spark their interest in someday owning a
trailing dog.
And don't forget your local service clubs such
as the Lions, Kiwanis, Rotary, Optimists, Jaycees, etc. either.
Contact members of these clubs and offer to present a program
on your trailing activities at one of their meetings.
By so doing, you will be presenting your bloodhound to the
public in a favorable light, as well as encouraging cooperation with
potential trail layers.
The time and effort you invest in recruiting
and keeping a group of ready, willing, and capable trail layers will
be a direct reflection of your desire and determination to give your
hound the excellence in training he deserves. By Jack R. Shuler & Behesha H. Doan Copyright © 1998 by Jack R. Shuler & Behesha H. Doan. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.
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Copyright © 2006-2008
Jack Shuler
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