Here I am thanking River at the end of a UTD track. After years of tracking, she is my first urban dog, and is UTDX-ready
This blog is created to act as a gathering place for information related to tracking in Alberta.
Please visit regularly to find out about training opportunities, clinics and seminars, upcoming tests, rules and regulations and test results. Links will also direct you to some great tracking chat groups where you can carry on conversations and ask questions. Find people who are like-minded souls and want to share and train together! I hope that here in Alberta we will soon see more tests, including urban tests! With the enthusiasm and commitment of the trackers in Alberta, we should all be very optimistic about what the future holds for tracking in Wild Rose Country. This blog will also provide resources for tracking-related activities in neighbouring Provinces and States. If you have any suggestions for additonal content, please let me know. It is important to keep this useful and current and the blog belongs to everyone!
Your Blog Host – Donna Brinkworth
A bit about me for the curious… I am currently apprenticing to become a tracking judge, hopefully able to judge TD and TDX in 2010, and UTD shortly thereafter. My personal goal is to inspire and encourage people in this sport. I have an open mind and am always happy to learn and share, so please tell me what is on your mind, or let me know how I can serve the tracking community here, for everyone’s benefit.
I’ve been a CKC member since 1976 and a tracker since 1990. Since 1994 I have organized tracking tests, classes and seminars. I am proud to say that FOUR of the twelve Tracking Champions in Canada were my students (and ARE my friends) back in Thunder Bay. I miss them dearly but have been enjoying making new tracking friends here.
I share your enthusiasm and passion for this activity and am very excited to learn more about tracking in the great wild open space – and the urban places – around Alberta. To date I have trained 9 of my own dogs to the following titles: 1 UTD, 4 TDXs and 7 TDs. My breeds are German Shepherds, Rough Collies and Border Collies, and I also herd with my dogs. I’m currently doing Schutzhund with my young GSD, and aiming for a UTDX with my 9-year-old GSD, with my two Border Collies in-between ready for tests.
In my field and urban classes I have worked with everything from toy breeds to giant breeds, mixed breeds, puppies and oldsters. I have learned a lot from my involvement with so many students – who have all become my friends – over the years, and my students have achieved titles in CKC, AKC and ASCA tracking, including some Tracking Champions. I’ve also worked with the only blind dog to achieve a TDX in North America, and a deaf rescue dog who is aiming for a TD. I used to do conformation and obedience, until tracking and herding seemed to fill all of my time!
My personal blog is found at http://spiritdancedogs.blogspot.com I moved to Alberta in Summer, 2008 and live in Penhold, just south of Red Deer.
