Beginner tracking class #1

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.

Scent pad #3

Location: a different grassy knoll off Canotek.
Treats: stinky dried meat products

Our most successful so far. Is it ok for the dog to watch you scatter the treats? He waited in the car and watched while I did it and as soon as he came out he went straight for the treats. Wandered in and out a few times.

Again, when it was time to drag him away, there wasn't much of a drag necessary. These are his favourite scatterable treats; guess he's just not that food-motivated. Now Lucy on the other hand...

Scent pad #2

Location: Grassy knoll off Canotek
Treats used: dried meat treats

He liked the treats. Wandered out of the circle a bit but came back. When there were only a few treats left I pulled him away without saying anything. Unfortunately he left the scene willingly so I couldn't drag him away. Totally forgot to give him the handful treats from me afterwards.

Scent pad #1

Location: grassy knoll off Hawthorne
Treats were not smelly and/or special enough as he wasn't really into it.

Walter the smelly smelling dog

Welcome to Walter's newest blog!

I've wanted to take a scent-based class for a while but nothing ever fit my schedule until now: we've signed up for a beginner tracking course. Today was the theory class where the dogs stayed home. What fun getting an introduction to a brand-new-to-me sport. I know absolutely nothing about tracking, SAR, scent work in obedience, etc etc, and hardly anything about the power of a dog's sense of smell. Through this course and possibly others to follow I'm hoping to get a glimpse into the fascinating olfactory world of dogs.

Homework is to do a few scent pads.