Tracking

The Albanian Kennel Federation (F.K.SH) intends to introduce new technical sports activities to highlight and develop dogs’ abilities in the FCI disciplines BH, ZTP, IGP, and FH. It aims to provide its members and enthusiasts with a fully equipped arena for these activities.

In addition to morphological exhibitions, this will allow the development of tests and certifications that help better evaluate, from a zootechnical perspective, the breed’s character and working aptitude. These evaluations are essential for improving and guiding genetic selection and breed typicality.

The arena will be equipped for training and certification in ZTP and IGP, with six reviers, drive sleeves, a fence, a high jump, and dumbbells, all in accordance with FCI regulations. A certified helper will be present for training in Section C (attack).

Furthermore, specific training courses and seminars will be organized to enhance the cultural and professional development of dog handlers, following modern training methodologies. Regular courses and seminars will be held on search and tracking for IGP 1–2–3, FH 1–2–3, and IGP-FH, with the possibility of examinations conducted by FCI-certified judges.

This last specialty will be practiced in open countryside, on plowed land, grassy areas, or permanent meadows.

Training for both handler and dog includes preparation for tracking a trail composed of the tracker’s footprints, with variations in length and angles, objects left on the track, and increasing trail aging based on the certification level.

Training on the FH track, at various levels, is more complex because it increases track length (up to approximately 2,000 steps), the types of angles (90° – 45° – curves – half-circles), track intersections by other individuals, and much longer aging times compared to the IGP track. It also involves a greater number of objects, all in accordance with FCI regulations.

Tracking Dog Full System

Theory and practice (including dog evaluation and new track settings), in the presence of the technical manager Mr. Giovanni Scandaglia.

He has been involved in civil defense operations and operational and sporting search for several decades, including:

For 27 years, he was the national technical director of the CFS Police Dog Training School and a dog trainer for operational search dogs, searching for people in forests, debris, and snow, parts of animals protected by the Washington Convention (CITES), and incendiary triggers; a teacher and member of the Operational Examination Committee.

In sporting activities:

Selection for the 99/100 Track World Championship,
IPOFH Track World Championship 1996, 3rd place,
Selection for the IPO RSV2000 Track World Championship 100/100,
RSV2000 World Championship – IPO Track A100/100,
SVO Austria National Track Championship 96/100,
Austrian National Track Championship FH 98/100,
Austrian Tiroler Winner Track 98/100,
Other excellent track dogs with IPO3 qualifications.

Multi-year technical assignment at the University of Perugia, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, for behavioral problems.

Teacher at various IGP and FH track sports seminars in Argentina, Poland, Ireland, Spain, and Italy.

Author of several books for internal use by the CFS Police Dog Training School:

- Training for operational search and tracking;
- Elements of dog psychology and olfactory training;
- Human behavior in managing the dog's normal psychological balance and preventing the acquisition of displaced behaviors in dogs;
- General notions of dog search training, the sense of smell. Guidelines for CFS operational dog handlers.

Author of the book, second edition 2025:
The Olfactory World of the Dog, Bilateral Communication, Alternating Oratory and Listening TOWARDS the Dog – search training and tracking IGP and FH.

Program

• Overview of anatomy and functional physiology
• Mechanics of airflow in the nasal passages
• Systems: olfactory, trigeminal, and vomeronasal
• General information on odor perception
• The human body as a source of odor
• The ground as a source of odor and rain
• Dynamic and static odor
• Odor on the track
• Olfactory perception and stimulus threshold
• The influence of wind on odor
• Cognitive processes
• Bilateral communication
• Learning: classical and instrumental
• Negative reinforcement
• Emotions and motivation
• Shaping
• Practical considerations for research
• Stimulus threshold
• Physical and mental fatigue
• L-FH: consequences of physical and mental stress
• Practical training: olfactory techniques and preparatory exercises for research and tracking
• Speed management on the track: angles and straight lines
• Dressing your dog on the track