January tracking

1/26/23 Huguenot park

S8 W20 F10 on 3 turn track with 90 degree turns. Windy, but more noticeable on 1st and final legs as it wasn't blocked by the trees. After track was in, a mom moved across the 1st leg as she and her son were playing catch with a football....neither are QB material, but at least they were having fun. River downed at start article, then actually stayed on the track line, perhaps going into the wind helped. She went forward passing the first turn, but stopped quickly and did a circle around me to find the correct track. On the next left turn, she continued beyond the turn but only coursed left and found the track. I'm trying to notice her tail movement as the slight flick and softness seem to appear when she is on the track vs. held stiff on loss of scent. Totally different from searching off leash. Anyway, she found the right turn without coursing or circling and headed to the article and downed to indicate. It wasn't prefilled with food, but I gave her hot dog reward. She seems more focused on the upcoming task as we approach the start article and I believe that she is enjoying the game more than earlier in the season. Since she is always a more gentle pull than Duck, I may try using the long line which is very thin, on her but keep it at 10 feet just to feel what it's like.