Week 13 - Practice 1

2/8/2025

Yesterday We practiced 2 tracks. I would have done more, but ran out of time/daylight.

Wren, my husband Elliott, and I all met up with Flora and Finwe at a park to practice.

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

I realized I haven't been adding this, but for a while I am working down the line from Wren. I walk up the line as we take pauses/stops, then let the line flow back out when she starts up again.

Right now I am currently about 5' down the line from Wren.

Session 1:

• Weather: 38F, 90% Humidity, Overcast, Wind NE 10mph.

• Located at open fields at park, mowed grass, heavily wet ground with puddles.

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

    • Aged 20 minutes

    • 80 yd

    • Treats spaced every 16 paces. One treat also placed for 5 steps leading into, and then 5 steps leading back out of the Open turn.

    • End Flag 5yd before the end article instead of after

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

    • Aged 20 minutes

    • 90 yd

    • Treats spaced every 16 paces. One treat also placed for 5 steps leading into, and then 5 steps leading back out of the Open turn.

    • End Flag 5yd before the end article instead of after.

    
    

GOAL FOR THE TRACK:

• To lengthen the spacing for food drops.

• Continue working on end article fun in distracting environments.

How did it feel?

• Felt good! It was really interesting watching how she navigated the super wet grounds. A little frantic feeling for a moment or two, like she wasn't sure if she wanted to zoomies or track, but nothing negative. Just excited to play her 'game'.

  
  

List three things the dog did well:

1. Working over the little water we crossed, she came back poked around and then repicked up her track. Super neat to watch in real time and on camera after.

2. Getting back to her task despite a large dog openly lunging and nearly pulling his on owner. (track 2 the beginingish. They're a good distance away.)

3. She's doing so well waiting patiently for her cue to start while I hook up her harness.

   
   

List things you’d like to improve:

1. Being a better track layer with communication. (Thank you for the blog today! Sometimes it's hard to decide how/what to say to best help)

2. My handling as far as supporting us learning to track on the line, verses drifting to just beside the line. I feel like we stay on track pretty decently but want to sharpen up my hands on understanding of supporting her learning.

   
   
   
   

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.

• Continue reading her cues better in her understanding of the track.