The AKC tracking rules and regulations state that "Tracking, by nature, is a vigorous, noncompetitive outdoor sport… [it] is a team sport in the truest sense.  In true team effort, a handler working as a team with his or her dog exhibits a real understanding of the dog’s motivation and commitment to the task at hand.  The handler is able to read his or her dog and communicate with it to accomplish their goal.”  Unlike other sports such as obedience or agility where the handler tells the dog what to do in tracking the dog takes the role of leader for only he knows how to use his nose to follow the track.  For many handler/dog teams the most enjoyable part of tracking is the dance that ensues when we truly become a working member of a team with our dogs.  When it all comes together the dance makes all those hours of practice worthwhile.

While tracking, a dog uses his nose to take in the myriad of scents from the surrounding environment, process them and then use this information to follow the track to its end.  This scent picture that the dog follows is believed to be made up the tracklayer’s unique body scent (their personal body odor, soaps, clothing, perfumes, food and more) combined with the crushed or disturbed earth left behind as the tracklayer walk along.

Dogs have a natural ability to follow scent trails.  Refining this instinct for tracking as the AKC and other organizations have defined it will take time, training and patience; but the process itself can become quite rewarding for all involved.  You cannot make your dog track – he must want to do it.  Motivation and patience are your most important tools.  Your dog shouldn’t be the only one to come off a track feeling happy and looking forward toward the next opportunity to go tracking.  While practicing (or participating in a test) with your dog you need to focus on tracking and only tracking.  Leave all your other troubles and responsibilities behind and just enjoy the moment with your dog.