Foxglen

This was the second of two sidewalk searches for Poem. I did not change out the Hide, so I believe her confusion was she had already found that one. Still, an awesome job following the air current along the wall.

Stopped during our morning walk to run a few Anise Hides today. Poem has to hone her nose for her upcoming NW3 debut.

Another fun part about NW Camp are the Self Service Searches that are set each day in a different location. You can pop in when you can and work the search area any way you want to (no instruction). This search was set on the last day - the Chen-a-Plex. Fun to work a large space with rising chairs and interesting room features. Video has no sound as per the rules of camp, but I basically ramble on about nothing. I was slow in reward because I was trying to remember where the two Hides were based on the map provided by the door. Poem didn't break. 😉

Ooooooh! Suspended High Hide Next Day Adventure! You can try to recreate a search area, but it is never the same, except for traffic. 🤨 I did set a search before this one so odor was reintroduced to the "blank" part of this search area and started Poem in the same spot. I also set the same hide/odor on the string to be fair, but it was not until I went to reward that I realized the hide itself was a foot higher. How does that change the nature of the hide? Watch where Poem goes as she is working the area around the hide. Notice something Poem is doing that Shaman did not do yesterday? Would love comments if you sat through both videos!! Poem is better at high hides than Shaman is, so I was thrown off until I made the realization it was a foot higher. Shaman has been going to regular classes where we have been working on those skills. Every dog can be skill built into the talent, where low, deep, weird, or high. Experience, Experience, Experience Enjoy Poem rocking this hide.

I realize my class dogs have more hide experiences than my own do, so while out working Shaman today, it dawned on me to use the tree branch overhanging the road. What a perfect place to throw twine and hang a hide. Shaman got to be the "try it out dog" so here we go. 1 hanging hide about 6 feet off the ground. She was started in a often used spot and triggered herself to search the neighbor's driveway.....operant conditioning comes into play here. Fun to watch her figure out fairly quickly it was all lingering odor and fringe odor. Enjoy the mastery of Da Shams.

I was up in PSU this past weekend to give a Workshop for Nita-Nee KC. Tarot kept me company and got to run the Exterior Search. Not bad for retired since Spring......

This summer has been too hot for our long walks, so I switched the dogs' activity to something shorter and close to home. Each morning we work on our Level 1 FitDog skills to help with body movement and mental stimulation. Video is of Poem first followed by Shaman on an obstacle course. It is truly amazing to see how much they have improved in command of their rear legs and mental focus. We still have a lot of work to do, but that is part of the fun. This has been a saving grace activity for the summer "hot", but we all really miss our miles long walk. Thank you, Mike for taking a few minutes to video!

Poem Puppy having a blast searching down her odor hides during last weekend's training session.

Tiffany and I got together this morning for some Nosework fun. Dogs did great despite the rising temperatures and possible converging odor. In order: Poem, Ripp, Shaman, Tarot

When the camera collects Odor...

Happiness is having your tag collar on in a wide open field. And having a Ball. A real Ball.

Shaman - Exterior Search

Benefitting from a private lesson this morning, Shaman got to work Exteriors and Containers before her upcoming trials. She caught the higher Hide at the beginning, but chose to save that for later. After finding the first Hide, she immediately worked her way back to start. It never occurred to her the climb onto the concrete pad until she caught it from a similar height on the porch. Really cool stuff.