Workflow issues with new mouse scroll behavior on program monitor while doing manual tracking(mask)

I understand that after some version (I think 24.4) the scroll behavior has changed. This disrupted my workflow where I need to do manual tracking while scrubbing through the timeline. I need help figuring out a new efficient way to manually track things (move my mask around) all while navigating through frames.

To explain my needs better: 

I use a gaussian blur effect + mask to anonymize some heads. I'd use the automatic tracking for it, however, I've found that this not only loses track of the head easily, especially when there is a lot of movement and angle changes, but also doesn't really track the way I want it to track. (My requirement is to cover the entire head not just the face at all times) 

For this reason, I've had to manually track at times when there is a lot of movement. The way I used to do it was: 

1. mouse over mask on program monitor

2. scroll thru frames using mouse scroll

3. adjust mask accordingly

4. repeat. 

I understand that scrubbing now requires my mouse to be hovering over the timeline on the program monitor which greatly disrupts my workflow because now I have to move my mouse down, scroll a bit, move my mouse back up to the mask, move it, and so on. 

The right arrowkey lets me move forward only when the timeline is in focus, but then once I click on the mask and adjust it, I need to put the timeline on focus again. 

Any suggestions on how to go around this without having to downgrade? What sucks is I bought a contour multimedia controller PRIMARILY for the jog wheel so I it would be easier to navigate.