Many people have mentioned to me that they are watching Trackers on National Geographic, and they have wondered what I thought about it. I hate to comment on it because I'm sure the dog handlers are trying their best, and have good intentions. However, this show is putting out so much bad information that I really can't stay silent. I want to make clear that the methods, philosophy, and techniques used at Three Retrievers Lost Pet Rescue bear almost no resemblance to the practices seen in this show. I do search for lost pets, and I use trained search dogs to help with that effort, but beyond those basics, almost everything we do is quite different from what you see in this show. If your pet is missing, or if you are wanting to train your dog to find lost pets, do not believe anything you see on this show. Minute by minute, while watching this program, I see one thing after another that is not quite right or completely wrong. In particular, these dogs should not have prong collars, and if they are given prong collars, that is definitely not the way they should be used. If you are thinking of hiring someone with tracking dogs and they use prong collars, simply don't hire them. If you are training your dog to find lost pets, a prong collar is definitely not appropriate for any search situation. It's so sad that what could have been a great learning experience has been completely wasted, and they are putting out wrong information instead. It's especially sad for these working dogs shown in the video.
What is wrong with using a prong collar on a search dog? Regardless of whether you think prong collars should ever be used, which I don’t, they are definitely not appropriate for use during a search. The tension that the search dog applies to your leash is one of the primary indicators of the strength of the scent. When my dogs get on a hot scent, they pull very hard, which they should. It would be inappropriate, cruel, and stupid to put a pinch collar on a dog that is supposed to be pulling. Also, it would negate the main feedback channel between the handler and the dog. The reason search dogs have harnesses is not just for identification. It’s mainly because a search dog is suppose to pull, and you wouldn’t want that force concentrated in the neck, prong collar or not. To use a prong collar during a search is dangerous, cruel, and pointless. A search dog and his handler should have a deep bond and a great relationship, and a prong collar should absolutely not be necessary for any reason.
The most glaring error in the methods presented in this program is the inappropriate use of prong collars on search dogs. There are many other errors, which I can't take the time to go into in detail. I have written guides to finding lost cats or dogs, and would recommend those methods, not anything you might see on this National Geographic show. I can't say whether the bad information presented on Trackers is because they are training their dog handlers wrong, or because the production company simply didn't capture their intentions. Whatever the reason, this show should not be viewed as the proper way to find lost pets using search dogs. It does a great disservice to actual search dogs, and it will probably result in fewer dogs and cats being found. Certainly, this was a wasted opportunity, when they could have used a program like this to present proper methods and advice. I am deeply disappointed that a show that should be educational and helpful is instead misleading and just plain wrong.
What is wrong with using a prong collar on a search dog? Regardless of whether you think prong collars should ever be used, which I don’t, they are definitely not appropriate for use during a search. The tension that the search dog applies to your leash is one of the primary indicators of the strength of the scent. When my dogs get on a hot scent, they pull very hard, which they should. It would be inappropriate, cruel, and stupid to put a pinch collar on a dog that is supposed to be pulling. Also, it would negate the main feedback channel between the handler and the dog. The reason search dogs have harnesses is not just for identification. It’s mainly because a search dog is suppose to pull, and you wouldn’t want that force concentrated in the neck, prong collar or not. To use a prong collar during a search is dangerous, cruel, and pointless. A search dog and his handler should have a deep bond and a great relationship, and a prong collar should absolutely not be necessary for any reason.
The most glaring error in the methods presented in this program is the inappropriate use of prong collars on search dogs. There are many other errors, which I can't take the time to go into in detail. I have written guides to finding lost cats or dogs, and would recommend those methods, not anything you might see on this National Geographic show. I can't say whether the bad information presented on Trackers is because they are training their dog handlers wrong, or because the production company simply didn't capture their intentions. Whatever the reason, this show should not be viewed as the proper way to find lost pets using search dogs. It does a great disservice to actual search dogs, and it will probably result in fewer dogs and cats being found. Certainly, this was a wasted opportunity, when they could have used a program like this to present proper methods and advice. I am deeply disappointed that a show that should be educational and helpful is instead misleading and just plain wrong.