10/27/2024
D**k and I had a great day at the NW2 trial in Winterset. While we just missed earning our title (boys will be boys - those exteriors can be tough!), we had so much fun! D**k started off just a bit distracted in vehicles - a pen of peacocks was nearby and he was veeerrrry interested! He pulled himself together and found all three hides. Interiors 1 was AWESOME! The judge was gushing over his off leash search and how he followed the swirling scent back to source. He earned a Pronounced for that search! Our next search was containers, in which we have struggled with distractors and we've been working on at home for the last 4 weeks. 1 hide, 4 distractors - he NAILED it! The judge was gushing over him again, saying she'd take him home (and that he was so handsome!). Another Pronounced search. Then - du du duuum! - exteriors on grass. First time. He began by blasting off the start line after standing with his nose in the wind. I followed at a brisk trot, he stopped to sniff some out-of-bounds weeds (just past the hide, we later learned) and . . . lifted his leg!!! ARGGGHHH! He was too quick for me - NQ, left the search area in disgrace. It was almost a beautiful point-to-point search . . . . His final search, interior 2, was another lovely search. I was disappointed that we didn't come home with a ribbon, but sooooo pleased with how my boy searched.
Bruce and Trey were also close to NW2, just one missed hide (also in exteriors - toughest search for everyone). They did come home with a second place in vehicles and 3 pronounced searches! They are developing into a fantastic team and it's been an pleasure to watch them learn together. My prediction is that they will go as far as they want to in this game.
Most exciting for the day, our friend Sherrie Anderson and her adorable Vizsla girl, Izzi, earned their NW2 on their first try! Fantastic! Way to go Team Izzi!
To anyone who thinks Scent Work is not an activity that will tire our your dog . . . .
