Today was the first practical class. We were introduced to how to lay a simple track. We each double laid three short straight tracks for our dog, each about 35 paces long (the tracks, not the dogs). Canned food was Walter's reward. His first two tracks had a treat halfway through; for his third we omitted the halfway treat because he was almost at the final treat by the time he passed the halfway one.
He surprised me by being quite the gentleman while my partner held him as I was setting his track. I was sure he'd be all scaredy dog and pulling and trying to get away, like way back in beginner agility where the instructor would hold him (or try to) at one end of a tunnel while I met him at the other end. Quite the contrary, he actually sat more or less patiently and waited. When released, he took off straight away. By the third track my partner and I were wondering if he was already flag-savvy and not using his snout at all... but again I know nothing about this sport so I have no idea. :-)
Homework is to do the same exercise 2 or 3 times over the next week.
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4 comments:
that is just plain COOL
we have a "farm dog" - just a lovely lunk I'd love to do tracking with - he's dane, gsd mix and just amazing to watch scenting in the fields ...
have fun
yeah I'm looking forward to it! I bet your dane/gsd mix would be fantastic at it...
Wow, tracking...that sounds like fun. Wish I had 48 hours in a day instead of just 24...
Mum had me track Gracie once when she got through the fence, silly girl. I tracked her to the road and lost her scent.
Found out later she doubled back is why I lost her scent, we found her within about 10 minutes, whew!!!!
Made Mum wonder if all kinds of dogs can track in some way...
Have a great weekend! We're off to try our paws at agility, again!
Woofs, Johann
Hi Johann,
I love how you put your nose to a most excellent use in finding Gracie! In my fantasy world I would be able to teach Walter to track Ms. Hound Dog Lucy when she runs off following a prey scent... Reality, however, is a different matter.
It is fun though, and amazing, getting a glimpse into the olfactory world of the dog.
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