11/21/25
- Maureen Woolley & Duck
- Nov 21, 2025
- 1 min read
Shortened scuff pattern on turn track. Put scuff 5 in and out of turns. S5W20F10
So after we finished the track I realized that I changed too many variables. I dropped from S8 to 5 but I am forgot that I had him at W16F8 and I changed that too. Ughh!
Positives , negative ms and questions:
Duck had a nice start and was excited to track. We approached on an angle and he downed to indicate without any prompt. He turns clockwise to face me. Getting up he went right into the track. He carries tail up and the end is fluid so it flicks a little. I never really noticed that his tail does this when engaged with the track. He downed right away at the end article too. Again, clockwise turn to face me.
He cut the corner ahead of the turns. He was probably at the point where the scuff 5 in started. On one turn where I didn’t let him take that shortcut, he went out, passed the turn, and circled in the other direction but worked his way back to the correct turn. So, should I just let him be a yard off the turn…is that ok? I am worried about discouraging him. I know I’ve done that to River and she just doesn’t care, continues to go on the track. Not sure how much line to let him have.
YouTube link - mid track a roof structure obscures an already difficult view of dog and handler
I agree with Anne - try the food drops in and out to really keep him right on the track. Doing the stairstep track is a great one to work on keeping him into the turns and your line handling. Starts would be good too. We can definitely work on line handling next Saturday - it's something many are working on. Great track design!
The video wasn't available for this one. That's okay though, I'll base my comments off your narrative. It sounds like this was a good session too! Love to hear that your indications are coming along. If the turn is just being cut a little, I don't know that I'd worry about it (would love to hear others' thoughts on that) - without seeing it though, I cannot tell how much. Again, another opportunity to try and the five treats in and out as ideally that will a) reinforce the turn itself and b) keep the pup "on" the track through the turn. For both dogs, I would consider a modified stair step (the top hat part) or starts for…