I like to use the most natural method to direct the dogs behavior in the area of tracking. After all tracking for dogs is a predatory drive that has been around as long as dogs have. We have had domesticated dogs for a very short period of time when you look at how long they have been around. Prior to their domestication, how do you suppose they ate. Ahh, back when drives were pure.
All dogs have some of that inherent tracking ability left.
If you are lucky enough to have a dog that has big natural tracking ability, consider yourself very fortunate. With these dogs I maintain that we need to keep tracking in its most natural state. We simply need to condition the dog that at the end of this track, something very pleasing to them will happen. That something is always positive and in the prey drive. It is the most favorite prey object or an object that we can allow them to fulfill the drive, i.e. a rolled up towel that they can shake and chew and kill.