Here we will review the common mistakes that crop up at this is the point of the pitbull training and deal with them so we could progress.

By this time you should have invested in a tracking harness and a strong long line for all weather. Either a cotton lead of fifty feet or a one handle tied rope climbing cord will do. Some people use a lead made of leather. You can get what you like. Your tracking harness must be comfortable, weather resistant, durable and light.

Don’t forget to use damp conditions and be down wind from your helper

Problem One: Not being able to catch the scent

Because pitbulls are very good at area tracking, they would put their head up to catch the scent from the air rather than putting their noses to sniff the ground. To help him feed his leash under his front legs and then to one side, pulling his head downward to the track. Unless you would like to train your dog for area tracking this is the way to get his nose down close to the track. The pitbull habit of sniffing the air will more easily enable him to catch the down wind helper’s scent.

Problem Two: Loss of interest

We must realize that every pitbull may not take to tracking. All the same you should also pump up the dog and build his drive toward the game. Take a favourite toy, have your helper tease and play with him till he gets excited about getting the toy. The helper must then run and hide not far away and let the dog find him. As soon as he is found reward the dog with a tug or fetch game. To avoid rope burns use gloves.

Problem Three: Getting Tired

You need to get in to shape as tracking with an animal in high drive is as good running in a marathon and to keep up with them will be a challenge. Though the dog will be pulling you along and easing your load a little, you must be in shape for the longer tracks.

Take walks with the dog more often to build you stamina.

While you may encounter many other problems along the way these could be three more common ones and the last is perhaps the most difficult to deal with

Progressing
In section two of this title we added two corners to the track. This time we must add some distance. I myself like to make a mix of all these variables to make a course harder and more exciting.

For a start add 30 to 50 yards onto the course. Using the usual semi tall grass with damp conditions and have your helper positioned down wind from you. At the beginning its better to run long straight courses a few times each week before adding turns.

Make sure the pitbull finds the helper each time and is rewarded to increase their feeling of success. The dog should recognize working time and get excited. Keep going this way for several weeks.