January 21, 2026
Location: Riverview Farm Park
Track Layer: Heather
Article: winter hat
Food: roast beef
Goal for the day: Blind Turns
How did it feel? Rough start however I felt pretty good at the end of the track.
3 Things that went well:
1. This is a highly contaminated park. Lots of visual distractors and smells. He did much better at focusing than he has in the past.
2. Despite hesitating briefly when the article was stationary, once it moved he committed immediately and showed no hesitation in pouching.
3. Showing loss of scent
3 Things to improve on:
1. The side-to-side motion on the first leg was new and worth monitoring to determine whether it was wind-related, environmental pressure or something I am doing!
2. Maintaining consistent line tension remains challenging when he pauses frequently.
3. Continue to work on blind turns
We ran a 215-yard track with two blind turns. Throughout the track, he tended to fringe toward the side rather than staying centered on the track. Given how extremely windy it was especially with him working on the side the wind was blowing toward, this was understandable.
On the first leg, I noticed some frantic side-to-side movement that he hasn’t shown before. While the behavior was new, it was clear he was still actively trying to work the track rather than disengaging. Since he isn’t typically a frantic tracker, I wasn’t entirely sure how to handle it in the moment, aside from stopping him briefly and waiting for him to settle back into the track.
At the first turn, I could clearly see a loss of scent. This has been a recurring challenge for us, as he can be fairly subtle when indicating scent loss. I’m choosing to view this as a positive learning opportunity, even though he did confidently choose the wrong direction.
At the second blind turn, he again showed signs of scent loss, but this time he handled it much better and was able to work out the turn more effectively.
We are continuing to stretch out his food pattern by using a scuff–walk–food sequence, rather than relying on tighter food placement. I was also trying to focus on improving my line handling and keeping consistent tension, though this proved challenging with his frequent stopping and starting.
We are in the process of phasing out toys as articles. On this track, a hat was used as the article. He visually spotted it and paused, waiting for it to move before the string was pulled. Once Heather pulled it, he immediately committed and did not hesitate to pouch on it.
I thought he did pretty well. Your line handling was a B+. I do believe there were times when you were not behind him, but I could see your brain kick in and you shifted over. The stare off, did he break out of it or did you call him? Either way, start a countdown in your head from say 5. He needs intervention at 0. Great opportunity to offer water. In winter, it is paramount to offer them water. I was glad to see the second flag at 30. Not sure why Heather had to manage the direction you were facing at the start.
ReplyDeleteHas this dog had a track double laid? Plotted out, with multiple flags used during first walk, then rewalk dropping food and picking up all the flags except start & 30? Full fledged double laid?
Sorry we missed this. Overall, this was really nice. That last turn was lovely. Heather, your coaching was excellent!
ReplyDelete2 things: when Heather tells you the track goes in another direction, please don’t pull him off the track. Work with him to get him back—it needs to be his idea not yours. And, on the last turn, when he turns, YOU can cut the corner and follow—you don’t need to follow the track. Your job is to follow the dog, his job is to follow the track 😉.
He is showing significantly more focus on the track! And moving out nicely. I agree with MAM on trying the walked twice track (recalled in the same direction).