AKC Tracking Judges

The two judge format for the sport of Tracking provides the provisional status judge the opportunity to work with a more seasoned co-judge.  While these provisional assignments are wonderful learning opportunities for the newer judge, it is also important that the provisional judge be allowed to gain experience and confidence. It is imperative that the regular status judge encourage the provisional judge to take an active roll in all of the plotting and judging decisions.

During the process of applying to judge each level of tracking test, the applicant has proven that they have a good knowledge of the AKC Tracking Regulations, plotting procedures and judging guidelines.  The provisional assignments are the platform for the new judge to put that knowledge into practice. The provisional judge needs to gain skills and understand pitfalls before they are ready to request regular status and work with a new provisional themselves.

Even though it may be with the best of intentions, when the regular status judge provides pre-plotted tracks, gives all the tracklayer instructions, and so on, they are missing out on the ability to help the new judge hone their judging skills.  Your patience and gentle support are greatly appreciated.

Happy Tracking!

Every judge plotting a track at every tracking test level should give careful consideration to the safety of the dog and handler. In general, judges should be aware of steep ravines, dangerous animal habitat, barbed wire, broken glass, hazardous chemicals recently spread on the field, and non-vegetated surfaces that are hot enough to burn the dog’s feet.

One of the most common TDU/VST safety concerns is the proximity of the track to a busy street. Judges must be especially aware of the dangers of traffic in the urban environment. TDX tracks may be plotted to cross a lightly traveled road. Whenever there is potential for safety issues with roads, judges may choose to post a person at a suitable distance from the track to observe the handler and warn them of potential problems, such as moving vehicles, cyclists, etc. The handler, judges or assigned person may stop the dog at any time for safety purposes.

There are plotting errors that judges should avoid when dealing with busy streets.

1. A start and first leg of a track should not be close to a street. The dog must be given ample space and opportunity to take scent and begin tracking. If the track is too close to a street, the handler may feel the need to restrain or guide a dog that is searching for the track as the dog nears the traffic. Also, the scent of the track may be more difficult to find as vehicles cause movement of the track scent both away and toward the passing cars.

2. A track leg should not go toward a busy street and make a turn just before the street. A track should be plotted to allow the dog to safely search for the new direction of the track. Again, the handler may feel the need to restrain or guide a dog if the dog nears dangerous conditions.

A dog that is quickly approaching traffic may potentially cause traffic stoppage and/or accidents as well.

Let’s keep everyone safe and have fun!

Unfortunately, not every tracking team will be successful on test day. Judges must be well versed in the regulations to evaluate the dog’s performance and the handler’s actions. Pass or fail; all exhibitors should be treated in a respectful, courteous, and friendly manner.

Positioning: The position of the judges on the track is extremely important. By staying on the actual track, judges are in the best position to know where the track is and when the dog has gone off track beyond the point of recovery. Judges should have good field markers to help locate articles.

Proximity: There should be no question in either judge’s mind when making the decision to fail a team. For this reason, it is imperative that the judges be close to each other for easy communication. The conversation should remain private between the judges, so it may be necessary to gain some distance from the tracklayer or any others on the tracking field.

Reason for Failure: The most common reasons for the tracking team to fail are off track, missed article, took cross-tracks, dog stopped working and guiding. Judges should agree on the reason for failure before blowing the whistle, and the reason for failure should be recorded on the Judge’s Book chart. In all circumstances, the reason for failure should supported by the AKC Tracking Regulations. Any unusual circumstances should be noted by the judges on the back of the Judge’s Book cover.

Timing: It is essential that exhibitors have full faith in the impartiality and competence of the judges. It is good practice to let the dog and handler travel an adequate distance away from the track before failing the performance for being off-track. If the dog has stopped working, the dog must be failed. Guiding (behavior by the handler that influences or determines the dog’s direction) is prohibited and the team must be failed. Judges who ignore guiding behavior do a disservice to the team and to the sport. If the exhibitor believes that their behavior is acceptable (because they weren’t failed) then they may repeat it at a future test. Do not forget that the onlooking gallery will also see that the guiding behavior was accepted and may misunderstand what is allowed.

Finishing the Track: It is a courtesy to allow the failed team to finish the track as a training run. If the exhibitor desires to finish the track, the tracklayer should be instructed to go along with the exhibitor to offer help and support when needed. The exhibitor is expected to conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner while finishing the track.

Sound judging procedures plus a thorough knowledge of the regulations will inspire the confidence of exhibitors and spectators.

Happy Tracking!