February 1st tracking:
Thomas Dale Ball Feild. Very wet field. Two dogs were running at large while I laid the track. Nimrod was interested but not mesmerized. They ran across the first leg of the track after it was laid even eating some chicken. We had tracked on the same field the previous day: same FD (every ten strides), same length (two seventy yards legs) same 90 degree left turn.
The previous day we were tracking in the after-school period and there were sounds and distractions. Nimrod was easily distracted and there were long pauses before he could get back to work. I thought that by laying the same track, I'd build some familiarity. I dragged the bag rather than bouncing it to make it easier for him. I don't think I got LOS from him, but he stared into the middle distance quite often. When he's tracking, he's engaged but then he comes out for a while. I can't discern any reason for the extended pondering.
I have noticed that when we track at the elementary school near our house, Nimrod is far less distractable. These fields are very familiar to us, and we play on them several times a week. I know Nimrod will need to track on unfamiliar terrain. Should we track on the same fields until Nimrod can keep his head in the game most of the time? Or should we rotate fields until Nimrod learns to concentrate despite unfamiliarity?
Also, on the second leg of the track, Nimrod picked up a pencil, broke it in half and would have continued to chew it if I hadn't intervened. Previously, when he picks up litter while we're tracking, I ignore it, and he goes back to work without trouble. I couldn't find anything in the regulations about mouthing something that is not an article.
We ran a thirty-yard 10 article track on the 30th. The second time we ran the track Nimrod was dropping to the ground unprompted about 60 percent of the time. On a TD track there's an article at the beginning and the end. Is the dog expected to indicate on the first article or is it enough that he noses it and maybe mouths it?
I would rather you double lay a track (making a map so you can refer to it the next time out) than single lay a track on say Monday and then come back and lay it in the exact same way on Tuesday. As you know, when you double lay a track, you use your start flag, mark your turn, mark your end. Then you walk allllll the way around and walk it again and on this second walk/lay you drop your articles and your food (in your predetermined food drop pattern) AND this is when you would use your drag bag.
ReplyDeleteJudi has commented on a previous blog about a game plan when he pauses/ponders/stares off. Go back and read her comments and be prepared with extra, readily available treats in your vest pocket to toss out over his head.
I see nothing wrong with tracking at the familiar location to build confidence. But remember our old saying 'when you have two successful tracks' you need to change something - so for you, I would say have two awesome strong confident tracks at the school, then suck it up buttercup and go to the different location! Look forward to it, plot your tracks for confidence and fun!!
Now the pencil - if he picks up anything other than an article, I would take it from him and say 'aren't you clever', pet him and tell him to 'go find it' or 'track' or whatever you tell him when he starts at the first flag. Just put it in your pocket and keep tracking.
Keep playing the article games (videos on the website) to build his interest. I recommend you go to the AKC website and search for the Tracking Regulations - we talked about downloading, printing or ordering the regulations in November. You need to read the regulations, cover to cover. Your question about TD articles, first and second, and indications is answered in the regulations. If after reading the regulations you still have questions, we can address that in class.
Totally agree with MAM. To be clear, you are not faulted for bringing back more articles than the tracklayer put out.
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