February 10, 2025
We were supposed to meet up with other members of the Tidewater Tracking Club. We got hung up at the vet for much longer than we anticipated and missed the meet up. Laurtiz was still there to help pull the article cord for one track and my trusty tracking bestie Heather stuck around me as well. Location was Yorktown Battlefield area again near Surrender Field. Heather laid all of Finwe's tracks.
** Judi, is this how I should be setting up the glove? Or did you mean put food inside the glove?
Track Layer: Heather
Treats: Ground Bison baked like MaryAnn's suggests
Articles: Leather glove with red squirrel pelt
Goal for the track: Consistency with article engagement.
How did it feel: Eh I was feeling a bit discouraged with how slow he was moving. Trying not to be negative though!
3 Things that went well
- I am feeling a lot better about my track laying abilities. Practicing has really helped so much!
- Heather and I worked on our communications better. "Stop"/"1 step to the left"/ "Go"
- Used the long line for the first time on MaryAnn recommendation.
3 Things to improve on
- Going to start adding more length to the tracks.
- Also start spacing out the food more.
- More practice with the long ling
Track 1
120 yards with food drops at 12 paces. Open left turn with food 5 steps and 5 steps out of the turn. I was using the long line for the first on this track as well. Finwe really struggled with the terrain. Early on in the track he stepped on a thorn twice and I had to pick it out of his back paw. I think this discouraged him. He started walking very slow and would often stop just to stop. The small ground squirrel hide was placed inside a leather glove and tied up. He was not as enthusiastic about the glove but he did still pick it up.
Track 2
Due to Fin struggling with the terrain I decided to make the next track an easier one. So this was 80 yards with food every 10 paces, left open turn. Heather recorded us and then also pulled the articles when we got closer to the end. The moved down the track slow as molasses! He did also fixate on a spot next to the track and I really had to move him and toss food down to get him going again. Once we got to the end he didn't chase the lure! I could not believe it!
Track 3
We moved locations after the second tracks. Newport News park has a better manicured area without so many briars. I also wanted to see if me dragging the long line behind us for the first time was possibly causing and issue. The track was back up to 120 yards with food every 12 paces. Left open angle turn, food every 5 steps and 5 steps out. The ending article became unlooped from the cord. Heather tried to jig it back up when another dog came into view and distracted him. However he then wanted to know what she was up to! So the article never got tugged, but he did go up and pick it up right away.
I’d put the food inside of the glove. And I adore (a) that you have a tracking bestie—that makes for an optimistic tracking career. seriously; & (b) that you were smart enough to abandon briars and go to something easier. Now off to watch videos.
ReplyDeleteI heard BOTH of you using more clear communication. Thank you! I love it when people actually listen to us!
Pretty sure when he got the thorn he look at you and said, “this sucks!” Good boy to go back to work. Remember, it’s not a timed event….forward progress and precision for the win. He’s picking his feet up so high—I think he really isn’t loving your choice of location😂. He actually did a nice job—lovely turn, and close to the track.
Track 2: Again. Good boy. He thinks this sucks, and he’s doing it anyway
Track 3: He doesn’t hold a grudge! You give him cover he likes, and he shows significantly more willingness. And his article was excellent!!! Do we need to teach Heather knot tying????😂😂
A Knot workshop would probably be the help I need. 😂❤️
Deletei wonder if he would wear 'boots' ... if you are going to consistently work at Yorktown, it might be worth looking into. a second flag on the first leg (so a start flag and another one at +30 yds) would help with confidence and your commitment to support - like in a test. and i am so proud that you and heather are NOT using a start article yet. keep building the interest for the end article, we will deal with a start article 'one day'. i use the flexi for making the article come alive because you can wrap the article a time or two and then clip the line on itself, no knots required!
ReplyDeleteBoots are an awesome idea. I’ve used Ultra Paws Rugged for old dogs with weak rears. They hold up well, and the dogs seem to ‘like’ them—that is, they keep them on.
ReplyDelete