1/31/24 - 2/4/24

Tracks with 1- 3 turns and a lot of food drops.

Outing 1: After doing 1 turn tracks, River got the turns, right and left and did try to track wide if the track even from the starts, but the food drops kept bringing her back. By the third track, she wasn't going wide anymore on the start or the leg.

Outing 2: Next time, I did 2 turn tracks. Still a lot of food drops. Also, didn't use a start article. River went straight out on the track. First leg and turn was good, then on second leg she was trying to go wide but the food got her back, and at the second turn, a right, she cut it short but I had food drops after the turn and she went back on the track. On the next track, she had a good start and first leg, turn, then the second turn was a right. I tried to be very careful to allow her to explore freely and not change pressure on the line. She went beyond the turn, stopped and showed her side, head up. I suspect she was air scenting. She started moving but her head was still up so I gave her line. Not sure if I should've done this, but I don't want to be guiding her. Then, her head went done and I started following. She had arced into the turn, which I guess is ok.

Outing 3: On the third run of a lot of food drops on tracks, I did only one start with an article. She downed for the start. River is heading straight out on the track again. A left turn was Mickey done, a few feet behind and she turned left and onto the next leg. This was long leg and she did stay in the track, but there was food drop, River was going straight and then she lifted her head. I stopped. We were getting very close to the turn flag. She went to the right showing me her side. Her head went down and then back up. I didn't move and only let her have a few feet of leash. She started back to me and circled around me. In front of me, her head was down and he went to the turn....hurray. The remainder of the track was left turns and she was working in the track line, grabbing the food and getting the turns . So, I'm also trying to work on my mindset. As we approached the start on the last track of this series. A woman was walking her dog, larger pupper and very playful. It was so joyful that I had to smile and so River did not care about them at all. Snowball effect, as this made me happier and relaxed. We watched them walk and went to the start. River tracked beautifully on the first leg as they walked past us to our right.