9/29/23

Field near Cabelas in Henrico

S8 W16F8 on 3 start tracks, so total of two 90 left turns & one 90 right turn.

71F with 80% humidity, under cloudy sky with only very light breeze on short dry grass/weeds.

Did a little walk before the track, so she could orient and explore around. At start, she seemed to have the scent already as I was switching line from collar to back of harness. She downed at all start articles. She downed to indicate all end articles. This was the best and strongest, most confident she has seemed in a long time. Last spring, I tried to have her keep doing tracks even with her leg strains. Guess that explained her not so enthusiastic tracking. But, I digress...she was slightly to the right of the track line today, and did go over to pick up the hot dog pieces. She left them behind on the final leg which was the shortest one. On turns, she did not course back and forth or do her excessive circle. On first left, she went past a little turned to the right and circled behind me Asian sped up with some intention, then stopped and put her nose down on the track. All of this was fairly slow and deliberate. On the second track she got halfway down the first leg and raised her head glancing left and right (track was still straight ahead) so she headed to the right with me standing and her head was up so not tracking. She decided to get back to the game, as she didn't even go behind, she just went back to the track. This track had the right turn and she went on,y a few feet beyond it, then turned with head down back into the track line. On the third track, she was just to the right of the track again. At this left turn, she just took it really close to the actual pivot point, and went to the article. The starts were close to the end of the prior track. Next time, I'll just not switch the line back and forth as she is really reliable on down indications. So, perhaps on the weekend we will do a longer straight and then a 3 turn track.

In sum, I was very surprised and happy with her focus on the task at hand. I believe that she is remembering this game that was last done awhile ago now. Even though I don't let the line out a lot, I'm using the 30 ft one as it's not thick in diameter and it's easier to feel her movements.