January tracking

1/12/23

Robious Middle School fields, moist ground, warm 60 F, slight breeze

River- S8; W20;F10 on single track with 2 left turns and open right angle turn.

On previous track, I increased her food drop by 2 steps as she was turning around a lot to go back to the food. Today, I increased the walk by 2 steps. She got the food and didn't turn back around as much. Not sure if I should give up the idea of putting a ball in the end article or continue. She did stand still and stare at the article with the ball vs lying down next to the article with or without food. Perhaps she could transition into just standing still and staring at the article, but I'm not sure if I should encourage the stand& stare indication or just leave it as a down indication. River was excited to do her track. She even took a pre start drink of water, like Duck, which was the first time she's ever done the water. She did her down at the start and went right on the correct line. She got the food dropped, but was fringing to the left of the track which was down wind. Turned out that Duck did the same unless he was moving into the breeze. River never was going into it. She did course at the left turns, not her favorite direction. I could definitely tell when she found the track and pulled differently. Today was much more confident. Also, her tail movement was different today. Usually she holds it high but in a very stiff curve. Her off leash search is tail straight out back sweeping widely back and forth. For this track, it was held high but not as tense, and had a soft flick happening at the tip.

I have noticed that she does need the harness to be tight against her body, whereas for Duck it doesn't seem to make much difference. He's going to make me do what he thinks should be done no matter what, but she's more subtle.