February 2, 2026
Location: Riverview Farm Park
Track Layer: Heather
Article: large wool sock
Food: ham and cheese
Goal for the day: Blind turn with food spread out a bit more
How did it feel? Overall I felt really good about the training session.
Racing against the sun - 2 blind turns- 185 yard track- NW wind 7 mph - 32°
When I train with Heather, I really try to take advantage of having another person available, especially for blind turn training. It’s been so nice to have someone consistent to train with. On this track, my main focus was spreading out the food drop pattern a bit more than usual.
As both Judi and MAM mentioned in my blog feedback, this track was double-laid. Most of last year I double-laid tracks regularly, but once I started seeing improvement this year, I drifted away from doing it as often. This track was a good reminder of why it’s useful. I think when we train here, or at any other very busy park I’ll continue to double-lay, as this location is highly contaminated.
I was hoping the colder weather would mean fewer distractions, but that was definitely not the case. We saw so many dogs, over a dozen. I just have to keep reminding myself that this is good practice, even when it feels a little chaotic.
Food drops were spaced out to about 17 yards instead of 15. I did notice some backtracking for missed food, which continues to be inconsistent for him. Some tracks he’ll blow right past food without caring, and on others he’ll backtrack or stop to sniff until he locates the drop. As mentioned in previous posts, I rotate the type of food often since he hasn’t always been strongly food-motivated.
The first turn was amazing. I was completely second-guessing him because he committed to the turn immediately, and I kept waiting for Heather to yell “STOP!” but he was right. Huge confidence booster for both of us.
The second turn wasn’t quite as clean. He overshot it slightly but worked his way back and found the turn on his own, which I was happy to see.
On the final leg, very close to the ending article, there was a white plastic bag. He became fixated on it. Either thinking it was his article or possibly a lure to chase. It took a bit to get him back into tracking mode. He had some water, and I walked up the track a few steps to help reset him. Once he spotted the sock, he ran for it before Heather even pulled the string. Since it was so close to the plastic bag, I was really happy that he was able to get quick, fun reinforcement once he re-engaged with the track, even if he was a little reluctant at first.
3 Things that went well:
1. First turn was great!
2. Aside from plastic bag, he was pretty focused.
3. Went for the article (that was not a toy) with enthusiasm.
3 Things to improve on:
1. His response to missed food remains inconsistent, alternating between blowing past drops and backtracking or sniffing excessively. I am guessing that once food slowly gets farther apart this constant stopping and starting will be less.
2. Line work is still a major work in progress. I am hopeful once he isn't stopping so often we can tighten this up.
3. Avoid starting the track in the correct direction.
I am so so impressed that he got past that plastic bag! Dewey would not have been able to go past it without investigating it. Good job on the turns - both the one he did easily and the one he overshot - you backed up at the right time. I can’t see much because of the camera being directly behind you but what I could see looks like he is pulling more confidently.
ReplyDeleteI was tickled to death with this effort!! And I only happened upon this post .... are you texting us/did i miss it? This track was augmented very well - 2 flags, double laid, food looked about right and he did great. Let's keep this 2 flag, double laid thing going. It is ok to push the food out another five steps - see what happens. His loss of scent at turn one - lovely. I understand when you see him eating food drops your desire to move forward - be patient. I'm not saying stand still for forty feet of line, I'm just saying go back and look at your feet moving forward in the video. I don't think he needed you to move up at that turn. NOW, your movement associated with getting him beyond the trashbag was perfection - YES, you needed to support him, YES you offered him water and told him to leave it and moved your feet to get what you wanted - because that is what HE needed in the moment. So dang proud of you. Of course all that 'help' will have to fade over time, but in the moment you were there for him. Good for you!! We can talk about setting him to succeed passing trash at a future class or maybe the trial. But for now, let's celebrate this outing!!
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