Winter #2

 Planned the track with information from class 12/30. Leg #1 headed to road and turned away from it. Otis acknowledged then ignored gator going by. ✔️ Was very pleased with his turn away from the road. As soon as Otis made that turn tho he was totally distracted by cars arriving and voices/conversation at a distance preparing for a service at 11. (I never know when a service is scheduled) Otis had a VERY difficult time returning his attention to the track. His distraction persisted in the second leg until his turn crossed the road and he faced away from the activity. He tracked well and had good article indication on the 4th leg. Came up to but did not try to cross the road on the last leg. My perception while he was tracking and also in watching and rewatching the videos is that he knew where the turns were but did not take them initially? 


https://go.screenpal.com/watch/cOVeornr6Ww


https://go.screenpal.com/watch/cOVeounrXcV


https://go.screenpal.com/watch/cOVeovnrXc6







Comments

  1. Jack's JourneyJanuary 5, 2026 at 11:48 AM

    The second video won't play for me.
    I would repeat this and perhaps simplify it to ensure success. I will text a suggested track or you can do it in class. Perhaps while solidifying his obstacle behavior, you could move away from the burial area a bit. Just to give him a easy learning opp.

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  2. JudiJanuary 5, 2026 at 4:03 PM

    I like MAM’s suggestion track. Also, I think you have an iPhone, which should come with iMovie. It’s super easy to make a movie of videos—happy to show you how.

    Ok, so the people were hard. While I agree to try to avoid them, if it happens—it’s your choice. Is this a challenge, or an opportunity? Move up—get right on his butt. Be quiet. Let your movement follow his, don’t ask for a lot. Nose down? Take a tiny step. Nose down, his feet move? Take a step. Switch from ‘show me’ to ‘I’ve got your back.’ Your goal is to help him solve this conflict, in such a way that he learns how to solve it.
    The distance between dog & handler is fluid. Dog tracking well? Transfer responsibility to him—dog moves, line runs, you move. Dog struggling? You move up, and support any effort, no matter how small, with an equally small movement on your part. He takes 2 steps? So do you! And, when he recovers from the conflict and starts tracking well, let a little distance come between you and gently transition back to dog in charge.

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