Saturday June 8th

Location: Atlee High School

Weather: 65 degrees, sunny

Saber

Video:

Track1: Age 25 minutes

Track Design: Straight line down the sidewalk off a curb, across parking lot entrance, and back up the curb. Article at start and finish. I saw at least 3 sets of people walk over the track. There was a food drop at 30, a scent pad in the parking lot entrance, and a food drop at 30 past the entrance. Used water on the track.

This track was interesting because Saber stopped tracking at the food drops to check out the surrounding area. At the first food drop I stopped her because of a car coming and she had been checking out the road. When I encouraged her to restart she ate the food and moved on. She did not stop for the scent pad. She still needs help with VST articles but is getting it.

Track 2: Age 35 minutes

Track Design: Started in the grass, crossed a sidewalk that immediately led into the blacktop. Turn on the black top, back into the grass. I put 2 scent pads on the black top. One was too soon after the turn. Article at start (cloth), on blacktop (leather), and end (metal). Used water on the track.

At the start she wanted to go every direction but the track. I think this location is very busy and she was more interested in reading the news, but that is something we will have to keep working on. Once she realized going down the track was the only option to get moving she went along nicely. She crossed the sidewalk and onto the black top with confidence. Found her first scent pad. Then I think she moved to the article visually. From the article she continued on the track, but cut her turn, tracked backward before moving forward and finding the scent pad. It took her a minute to transition back to the grass and get her bearings.

I think some of my reinforcement might have been too close together. I am enjoying Ann's class. I want to get caught up on that and play with those concepts this coming weekend.

Syd Video:

Track 1: Age 5 minutes. Straight line starting in grass and crossing 3 sidewalks. Scuff 10 walk 10 with food on 5 of every other walk 5.

FIrst, his waggy tail at the start is the cutest. Second my handling could have been better on this track. He likes to cast back and forth over the track, which I am trying to adjust to. Sometimes I put too much pressure on when he is exploring and he stops. He is pretty good about restarting. I don't want him exploring a lot at this stage. Also ant covered hot dogs - just as delish as regular hot dogs.

Track 2: Open right turn (with flag this time!) S10 W10 with food on 5 every other 10.

Start wasn't the best but once he got started he did pretty well. Something off to the left caught his attention. I have no idea what it was, but I waited him out he volunteeringly went back to work, so that was good.