12/26/24
- Maureen Woolley, Duck & River
- Dec 29, 2024
- 2 min read
Videos:
S6W16F8
T#1- three legs with 90 degree right and then 90 degree left with third leg crossing a gravel path.
Unplanned challenge as two walkers cut across the track on leg 2 near the first right turn.
She pulled into the right turn before the flag and I walk the track and put the turn after the flag. I don’t know if the people walking were the cause as I only could see them in the area as they walked. Anyway, when I wouldn’t go with River she checked starlight ahead and then do go into the turn. With a short leash I can only let her check around so much. I am happy that she is continuing to give me a pull into the track even if I don’t go with her initially.
T#2 - top hat so I could do both left and right turns.
Unplanned cross track challenge as two walkers cut across the first leg.
Also, there were landscaping persons blowing leaves in the area, you can hear it on the videos. Doubtful they influenced her in any way.
I believe River struggled on the first leg but once we got past that point, she was working well. She either directly goes on left turns or checks right and then pulls into them. On right turns she is acting more confident and I can tell she’s checking and then pulls differently when back on the track.
It is hard to let her quarter with the short leash I get why I’m using it.
Likely the the next time I can do a longer straight track I will change the SWF.
This track will likely be in NJ. Not sure of the open space that will be available so I may have to do a challenge track, going near bleachers or buildings.
We are randomly practicing down indication and once she gets it that the game is down indication she is really good. Maybe this is confusing for her as I do not always have her harness on? Should she have that on whenever we do the article games? A few times she actually picked up the article. I don’t what to confuse her.
Suggestion: Email Gina DelAmeida or Lenape Tracking Club. They might be able to help you find a place to track. Feel free to name drop (Gina is a judge, I’ve judged for Lenape)
You don’t need to have harness on. If it makes YOU feel better, do it. When you get unexpected cross tracks, remember you can always rewalk the track. Are you training or testing? I, personally, would mentally thank them, take it as a great (GREAT) training opportunity, and rewalk the track. That way, I’ve set my dog up to succeed, while still allowing them to learn the difference between the ‘real’ track and the XT. At a test, if someone walks across your track….we still use it. So those random XT are fantastic training. Appreciate them!