HAPPY BIRTHDAY WREN! Week 12 - Practice 2

2/6/2025

We practiced 3 tracks, and a small article games.

Each track is Double Laid with treats and an End Article.

Session 1:

• I played the oops game inside my house during the thunder storm. Wren was a bit iffy about it but slowly got into the swing of it despite the 'booms'.

• We also played the game where I set an article in the room and release her into the room.

Session 2:

• Weather: 47F, 94% Humidity, Cloudy, Wind SW 8mph.

• Located at open fields at park, show mowed grass, heavily wet ground with puddles visible and just under the grass.

  • Track One - Double laid. Open Angle to the Left 4:24 pm

    • Aged 20 minutes - I laid all three tracks and then ran them back to back.

    • 80 yd in cut field grasses

    • Treats spaced every 14 Steps. One treat also placed for 5 steps leading into, and then 5 steps leading back out of the Open turn.

  • Track Two - Double laid. Open Angle to the Left 4:32 pm

    • 80 yd in cut field grasses

    • Treats spaced every 14 Steps. One treat also placed for 5 steps leading into, and then 5 steps leading back out of the Open turn.

  • Track Three - Double laid. Open Angle to the Left 4:39 pm

    • 80 yd in cut field grasses

    • Treats spaced every 14 Steps. One treat also placed for 5 steps leading into, and then 5 steps leading back out of the Open turn.

    • I laid a two closer treats to pass the trashcan because I knew that would be a smelly attraction for her.

    
    

GOAL FOR THE TRACK:

• To lengthen the spacing for food drops.

• Continue working on end article fun in distracting environments.

How did it feel?

• I feel decent about the track itself. (besides the note about my handling in #2 of things I'll improve) Wren was not into the articles, which is ok. It ended up being warmer than I anticipated and while Wren and I are active during warm days, we haven't done a lot of mentally active things on warm days... more of the two of us playing outside with water hoses or being general goof balls together running amuck.

• I knew in my heart of hearts, Wren had to go #2 since half way through the 2nd track at Yorktown. I knew that for a fact. Little pup was just not interested in going #2 all morning. I could tell she wanted to but just wouldn't commit. After she finally went potty at the article games, I saw her demeanor change. I wonder if she would have been more into it earlier if she wasn't thinking about pottying, but then again it was a pretty unexpectedly distracting morning with the K9 work close by, and the day also warmer than anticipated. (By the way, her stool was normal. haha So no signs of having a bad tummy)

  
  

List three things the dog did well:

1. Working on her track in the sloppy/water logged field. I can't even begin to imagine how all that water from the rain plays with scent.

2. Even after hearing the types of sounds that tend to make her anxious, she took a moment to assess and then went back to tracking. (once with a little tiny baby bit of help and without giving up on her task)

3. Wren loves sticks and pinecones. I am very proud of her working past those without picking them up on the track itself.

   
   

List things you’d like to improve:

1. Bettering my ability to support her when she's more distracted/concerned. Currently, we have not covered the use of a tracking 'cue' for Wren and I. Is this something I should start building a word association in easier tracks?

   Ex. "Let's Go Tracking" at the start line.

   Or, Should I continue to not worry about a word association and be a quiet partner like i have been? Thank you!

2. Being prepared with all my gear in one bag. I left my notebook in my truck when we took a different vehicle. Having my things stashed in a designated bag will make moving from car to car easier, as well as grabbing my things for trips.

   
   

Goal for next track:

• Continue hyping up the article in puppy parties and get that value built.

• Continue stretching the food drop distance further along the tracks.

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The Numbers are the start line, the red dots are the end article