Tracking With Otis

Had the good fortune of having two tracks laid for Otis each with blind turns. The first had 2 turns, 1 left and 1 right. The second had a blind right. Always laying my own tracks and knowing the turns, I was not sure of the astuteness of my observations. Also, I found it difficult to allow him more than 10-15 feet of line. From watching these videos and from the comments during and after his tracking, I know I can now work at the 20 foot mark, at turns give him line and hold my feet still when he is working a turn and not move my feet until he makes the turn and commits. I now thankfully have more self-confidence and confidence in my dog’s abilities. This is a behavior on my part at turns that will take some hopefully minor adjustment for Otis. https://youtu.be/aYwlRENtODk https://youtu.be/015g3QvyJDU

 Goal today was starts. Super weather for tracking-40 degrees and lt rain and drizzle. Secondary goal was observing turn behavior so made sure I had precise markers for turns. I did stop prior to the turn on the first track and look at my feet. Otis I could tell had gone past the turn but when I looked up to see how far, he hooked back to the second leg. Strong finish and article retrieve. Track 2 had a great natural turn marker with a baby cedar tree directly across from the middle bale of 3 hay bales. Otis took this one spot on and I just moved up the line after he took it. Again, strong finish and article retrieve. There was a fresh animal carcass within 3 feet of the track. “Leave it” needs more work. Watered well, took off his harness and we enjoyed the walk back to the car.

 Last track until next Saturday (12/29) Windy and cold on top of the hill at Panorama Farm this morning. Had previously walked off a 450 yard straight track that had changes of cover (short mowed grass pathway, longer weedy grass, gravel road) The track started between the barn and the unmarked cemetery on the hilltop. As we started several cars drove up and a small group of people gathered at the barn. Otis stopped and looked at the group then carried on to track. Cars again were not an issue. Otis had a strong pull on the track. With the wind blowing across the track he would be blown off but self correct. Twice there were issues with what I can only assume were urine. Although he is very good with “leave it” when it is scat, he got stuck both times on the urine. Note to strengthen “leave it” in multiple situations and places. I placed two intermediate articles, one in the long grass and one following the road crossing. All article retrieves were animated especially the cat spong...

 Article track with distractions. New area to track. Roadway with car traffic. I placed the track very close to a brushy ticket without considering the additional challenge that would pose. Otis was not distracted by the traffic. He was pulled off the track multiple times by the brush and whatever had passed through or was living in there. He investigated but always went back to the track. A lady with a large dog walked down the sidewalk on the other side of the roadway. The dog pulled and barked. Otis stopped and watched until the dog passed then went back to the track and pounced on the next article as if to say MINE! He pounced on the last 2 as well. He did great retrieves and had water at the end of the track.

 Goal of track: to work turns. The track aged 50 minutes, the most age any of his tracks have had. Food drops were randomized as suggested. Some were eaten some walked over. We had not worked at this site for 2 months but neither newness nor age of track seemed to make a difference. The start was strong. Marked the first turn with a clip. He worked the turn first to left then turned right. 2nd turn was at a broken branch marker. Another right turn. This one he overshot and came back. Last turn was in line with a yard ornament. A left turn that he took right away. Tracking between turns was on for the most part. When he’d get off, I’d get in behind him and he’d come back on.

 Starts (2) near a residential/commercial area with contamination (asstd trash, dogs are walked there) The first start track was an open angle right. FDs at 10, 15. The wind blew Otis to the left. I’d move in behind him and the magic would kick in bringing him back to the track. I used a 15 foot line and stayed at 4 to 5 ft until I neared the turn at the brush pile. It was a good marker to know EXACTLY where the turn was. I stopped, let him take the line and commit to the turn which he did beautifully then I stepped in behind him. He picked up the article for ham and praise for a job well done. The second start track was a right angle left. FDs again at 10, 15. He tracked well stopping to check out trash (a favorite was a plastic Bundt cake cover 🙂) or other smells on the track but would get back to work. The turn this time was again easy to pinpoint as a flat rock in the ground. Again I stopped and let him take the line. He hooked back to the turn, committed and again I stepped i...

 In an effort to be more certain of Otis turn/loss of scent behaviors I (double) laid a one turn track with a precise knowledge of the exact turning point. I also marked it with a flag removed when I double laid. I used 2 start flags, did food drops at 15 and a food jackpot at 35 after Otis made the turn. He did overshoot the turn but came back to the leg and got rewarded with the jackpot. I need to remember that he needs me to be matter of fact talking in a calm voice approaching the start. Today I was so excited and happy to be trying this turn strategy I was too animated and got him wired up at the start. 

 “Someone” took my gloves, my hat and my neckwarmer on this frigid morning and scattered them out in the side yard! Told Otis  (sound asleep on his bed) about the missing items. No response. When I asked him if he could “find it” his head instantly flew up! We went outside and lo and behold there they were! He tossed, caught and retrieved each one with such joy. Has made my day. He had his usual high value rewards and a game of  toss and catch the yellow pig 🙂