You love your dog, this is almost a certainty. He or she is your companion and friend for life. But, while you may spend a good deal of time with your dog - playing, petting and just laying around - there may be some important characteristics of your pet that are  being overlooked. Don’t worry, it’s not your fault, many dog owners do the best they can with what they know. Consider this, however; your dog has a long ancestry, which, depending on his or her breed, may have underlying qualities and desires you may find interesting to explore. Learning about these hidden attributes can bring a new-found form of enjoyment for both you and your dog.

One common characteristic of all dogs is their natural ability to capture a scent and then track that scent in order to hunt down prey. You are most likely already aware of this. It may seem to be a preternatural ability with ugly consequences, one that perhaps should be left dormant. On the contrary, however, there are safe and fun ways to bring this ability out of your dog in a way that provides enjoyment for both of you.

Some dog owners have already honed in on this canine ability, creating a competitive sport called tracking. This sport utilizes your dog’s natural ability to pick up on a scent and follow that trail. There are different levels of tracking - some presenting greater challenges by involving additional turns and longer tracks in the terrain, or even multiple objects being set up for your dog to find.

One interesting aspect of tracking competitions is that, while many other dog events maintain the owner as being in charge, in this particular activity, the dog is leading the way for the most part. If you were to enter your dog into a tracking competition, he or she would have a 30 foot leash attached by harness which you would follow as your dog hunts down the trail. The event requires a large plot of land and the operation is very labor-intensive. For this reason, not every dog can compete - you must have certification of your dog’s tracking abilities before you enter. Once you and your dog are a part of the competition, each dog will receive his or her own track. There are two judges assigned to each dog-handler team.

The speed of your dog’s tracking may vary, as some dogs confidently follow the scent with speed, while others take their time while being very meticulous. But whether you are moving fast or slow, the level of fun is all the same. Tracking is a sport that not many dog owners know about. But, now that you have just learned about this sport, you may want to consider tracking as a fun activity that will bring both of you a good workout and a great time.

Article by Karen Olson of Oh My Dog Supplies, your top spot to purchase chew resistant dog toys online.