Tracking equipment and info

 I think the one Lani got Logan was custom made from Lo's measurements, you might drop her a line and ask.  Presumably if I am remembering correctly the woman who made it could make a mini one. :)

The people on my SAR team that run their dogs onlead like rolled leather lines.  I've done ok with just a plain poly rope line I got at a hunting supply place but I probably wouldn't want to use it for a long time just cause it seemed to tangle more than the leather leads.

One of my teammates has a cotton lead he uses but it's foever getting tangled on stuff so I'd stay away from that if possible.

The best line is the one that feels comfortable to you. I have friends who use parachute cord for tracking with their papillons and mini doxies and that works great for them because they can roll the line up and put in in their pocket when they're done. If you have a dog who pulls harder than a papillon you'll want a line that is wide enough not to slice your hand into shreds. Some people like the feel of a flat line, others prefer a rolled line, it's just a matter of personal preference. Make sure you get a full 40 ft line though, not just a 20 or 30 ft line. One thing I would definitely recommend is that you avoid cotton lines. Some nice cold day, the back twenty feet or so of your cotton line will inevitably drag through a puddle, and then the wet muddy line will get pulled through your fingers, and then you will have to stand with wet hands in the freezing wind for freaking ever while your dog figures out some corner. And you will want to die. Voice of experience. Nylon does not absorb water. Much better.

 Thanks! Very good info. My dog pulls like a freight train. She's a 13", 20 lb, solid muscle dog  on a mission, LOL. Unless she's in a heel, she's dragging  me. I will be sure to get something comfy enough, and NOT cotton. I was going to order a cotton web lead.... glad I asked, first.

J&J Dog Supplies has leather tracking harnesses.  They might have the size you need.

http://www.jjdog.com/

 Those aren't small enough I buy a  ton of stuff from J&J. I wish they had it. Lots of little dogs love tracking. All of  the terriers and Dachshunds are built for it

 I have an acquaintance who's SUPER into tracking and she has several breeds ranging in size from 4 to 70lbs.  She says she prefers the Premier harness for tracking.  They are easy to put on b/c they have a buckle on both sides of the shoulder strap.

For SchH the dogs track in fursaver collars (all phases of competition are fursaver collar, no harnesses).

 The Premier stuff is pretty soft, too. That's an idea. I saw a harness like that, the other day, and liked it.

Is there a difference in tracking harnesses vs regular harnesses?

Jewlieee

Is there a difference in tracking harnesses vs regular harnesses?

 

Depends.  There's lots of different types of tracking.  SchH tracking is different from AKC is different from how police track.  In SchH, often a "tracking harness" is a Boetcher harness, which keeps the dog's nose deeper in the track.  No air scenting in SchH.  But most people train without a Boetcher, and in competition there is no harness permitted.

For my acquaintances who do AKC tracking, the "tracking harness" is just any harness that fits AKC requirements that is not used for something else (just like for SchH, I would not put an agitation harness on a dog and do refined obedience work....dogs pick up on stuff like what equipment is used for what task).

I'm assuming generally a harness is used because the dog is working pretty independently and going forward, so you don't want inadvertent pressure on a collar or unintentional "corrections" for the dog tightening on the lead a bit.

Thanks Kate!  Shameless plug:  http://www.fordogtrainers.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2553  Who IS that handsome weimaraner I wonder..... LOL

They were really enthusiastic seeing a weim in their equipment makes me think they'd be intrigued by the idea of a market in small dogs. You may seriously consider contacting them, as Kate suggested.  Let them know and I bet before long they are offering a smaller size of their harnesses.... perhaps with Emma as their spokesmodel ;) 

Isn't tracking fun?  I LOVE IT!  It's a toss up between tracking and agility as to which I prefer, honestly.  As far as rope, I've learned STAY AWAY FROM NYLON!  First of all it's slick and it will rope burn ya like no one's business. I prefer a 9-10mm diameter coton.  I tied 'handle's (just looped the rope and knotted) at 25ft and then at 30ft so I know where I'm at on the line. 

 
Personally - I thinking a pulling harness/tracking harness is very important for a dog doing this work.  As they learn that with the harness comes a job.  Recently Logan tracked through a flock of geese... and it's certainly not lack of prey drive or bird instinct.  He just knew he was working.  So, this harness is not used for anything else, though initially I was hoping to use it for biking, too. But instead, I'm getting another harness just for that so that I don't mess things up.  I also think it's necessary that a dog have full range of motion and comfort in their harness, cause I like a dog to pull... when they are on the scent it's obvious when they are dragging you behind.  It's how I know he's reading it clearly.

ETA: as Lies said, AKC (which is where I track) basically any harness is permitted.  But, I wanted to go with a nice "tracking harness" so there was true comfort and range of motion.  Also as Liesje said, I don't want to take the chance I'm correcting anything... I want him to pull me freely as a dog on the scent will pull very hard, as they should and you want to encourage that.
 

 Great looking harness - better looking dog - swoon...............

But Bugsy says the large won't go around his chest! (green strap on the fitting chart) no fair!

I really need to find someone to do this with - Bugsy loves it but I am strugglling to get him to not just go to the end of the 'trail' ah well that's another thread

jennie I have the exact opposite problem as B's chest is so huge that by the time I get something big enough to go around it the rest is too big

Awww, thanks! :o)  It's fun to see my boy selling a harness LOL

I think Bugs would do great at tracking -- it's a process, but they come by it so naturally and it's obviously very satisfying for them to do this job. 

I'd also try this company to see if they could make something custom, they make the harness to order... so they aren't just sitting there waiting to put in a box.  Aggravating when waiting for it to come, but great in the sense, they can probably customize.
 

Liesje

 I have an acquaintance who's SUPER into tracking and she has several breeds ranging in size from 4 to 70lbs.  She says she prefers the Premier harness for tracking.  They are easy to put on b/c they have a buckle on both sides of the shoulder strap...

I have two Premier SureFit Harnesses.  I bought one from the local tracking club eons ago for Mick.  I never did get into tracking, but used it on Mick in the truck, and later to walk him after he was diagnosed with laryngeal paralysis.  Caleb got his very own about 18 months ago.  I love how soft they are, and easy to get on and off.