Modern Enthusiastic Tracking, The New Step-by-Step Training Handbook

I finally got around to reading Sil's latest book and wrote to him about it directly. I offer my letter to him as a review of his book for this forum as well.I finally purchased Modern Enthusiastic Tracking and have just finished reading it. I made it a priority to read as I am preparing to give a presentation about training for VST, and I wanted to see what’s out there available for people to use as a guide after the seminar. I present concepts and ideas, tips and techniques, but not a step-by step plan, and some people really need that.Let me just say the detail in your book is incredible. It is no small feat to develop a plan of action to take people step by step towards the skills they need for TD/TDX/TDU and VST, trying to think of every contingency. Not only that, but to also create a separate path for those who want to do only urban, only field, and/or Canadian titles. And THEN to attempt to anticipate potential problems, to help people identify what problems they’re facing, and to create a review path for them as well. The mind boggles.It was probably harder to read through the whole thing at once, rather than just taking one step at a time and really diving in while training a dog. People who love detail and a schedule to follow will really appreciate all the work you’ve done.I was rather pleased to read about your description of "squaring up the transition". For years I've been calling that same phenomenon "the 90 degree crossing phenomenon" as I first noticed it with path and road crossings. When I first tell some people to expect it, they will tell me, "my dog doesn't do that" and then I video tape them, and sure enough, they do. I find that so fascinating!Another similar thought process we’ve had is about what you call "choice points" and what I call "decision points". I really like the way you discuss that in your book along with the photo of a track and identifying the choice points - including sun to shade/shade to sun transitions, etc.I was also impressed with how you incorporate contamination tracklayers through the process.Naturally, there are some things we do quite differently, but overall our styles are very compatible, and I will be happy to recommend your book for those who would like a detailed and logical approach to training.

I’ve been involved in the sport of AKC dog tracking since1966, although I took many years off to pursue other dog sports. After returning to this sport several years ago, I ran into some tracking problems with my youngest dog. I was at the point of giving up when I read some reviews of this book by some seasoned trackers and figured I had nothing to loose. In addition to the information and the progression charts, this book is very well-written with no spelling or grammatical mistakes. A nice surprise.

I am super thrilled to have this book. It is exactly what I was looking for.This book is a comprehensive guide. It helps teams start tracking towards a TD/TDU title path and also builds a foundation for success in the top levels TDX, VST of competitive tracking. It is exactly what I was looking for, a detailed roadmap for how to start dogs, how to vary conditions to build specific competencies. I have not read through the phases of advanced training yet (TDX, VST) but the TD/TDU plan is solid and well thought out.Sil's writing style is easy to read. He packs a lot of information into his discussion, but it is straightforward, engaging, and very readable. You don't have to be fluent in R+/R-, quadrants, or any other training jargon to understand what he is saying. Well done.I am only in Phase 1 but I am getting everything I want out of our training sessions thanks to the wise advice of this book.I plan on working the training plans closely.Thank you for updating the original book, Sil! I appreciate it very much. Hope to meet you in the field some day, thanks for helping make our dreams a reality.

I like the book I think it's an encyclopedia of training tracking. I don't even look at my articles that I printed out years and years ago for reference I just go to your book. I really like the fact that you incorporate VST training from the very start of TD training.

Just got the book last week and have been carrying it around reading. Very helpful, and I love all the ideas for tracks. I track alone, and now I feel like I have a plan! Highly recommended.

Information its there but need better diagrams and guided tables

Not much new info. Just a compilation of older books... not really worth the huge amount of money

good read

This book was published in 2017 and is even better than his first, Enthusiastic Tracking, published in 1998.422 pages jam packed with step by step instructions, tips, diagrams, and specific targeted advice from the first tracking session with a dog to the US TD, TDX, TDU and VST titles which more than cover the skills required by both dog and handler for any tracking test in the UK and beyond.The author clearly explains the purpose of each session, whether you are tracklayer or handler (or both) and how to go about evaluating your training.Every component of tracking is covered, distance, age, wind, contamination, motivation, weather, articles, corners, proofing, overshooting, casting, backtracking, design, line length, scent etc.I cannot overemphasise what a comprehensive reference this is for anyone who would like a step by step training plan for themselves, particularly if they do not have regular access to a good tracking instructor.If you only buy ONE book on this discipline, this is it!