1/12/24 Huguenot Park

Cloudy, humid, damp grass, no significant wind

S5 W60 F30

Longer straight 1st leg with 1 open right angle turn. Crossed paved walkway with shallow ditches on each side. This area didnt pose a challenge with scuff, so I did only walk.

At the start, River looked at me and I didn't move, so she opted to move out along the track. Surprisingly, no dogs and walkers crossed any part of the track. Poor River doesn't usually have this luxury. But it was earlier. No real deviation from the track. Got to ditch filled with water so she jumped it and this was a slight diagonal across the pavement, which she took perpendicular path (so cool how they cross at that most efficient angle). Like when she jumps in the pool to retrieve she always takes the shortest perpendicular swim route. Anyway, she picked up her head looked around for a food drop after the change of surface but maybe she was just checking for scent and the track. Finally, at the turn she went out 5-10ft pat the pivot point, I was literally right next to the turn flag. She coursed right and just found the track and kept moving. That turn was very certain and the pull from her was too. Did she see the sock already? Still she holds her tail high and curved on the track compared to off leash searching with rapid back and forth swing. Wondering if the tail positioning will change over time?? Duck flicks the end of his tail more often this year on his tracks, which I didn't really notice last season.

I am really enjoying the progress River has made this season. I still would like her to move off the start quicker but she is going in the right direction so I am not going to be hyper critical.

I did learn from the VST test that handler patience is a virtue and can really help your working dog. This I definitely need to work on. I don't want my impatience to travel down the line.

Next, I may try the stair step track or just another couple of start tracks.