Practice Session, 12.15.2025

 Quinn and I were thrilled to get out to play this morning! I set a "warm up" first track for him and a longer second track just to see what he would do and he was wonderful. We had some schedule challenges since our last practice but even when we struggled to get out to actually track, we worked on indications as much as we could at home. I was delighted that he laid down at each article with no cue from me. (They were not super fast downs but he tends to be a thoughtful and methodical guy - so I am pretty pleased with this!)

Weather/conditions:

  • Temperature: 20° F 
  • Wind: WNW 1 MPH
  • Humidity: 61% 
  • Overall: Clear, quite cold

    • Track 1: Laid 9:49 AM AM, Run 10:01 AM

    Quinn's warm up track included a scuffed scent pad at the flag, then I scuffed 5 small shuffle steps + a food drop, repeated 12 times to the article (glove). 

    (I switched to a wearable mount for my phone so hopefully it's easier to see what we're doing this time!) 

     

    Three things Quinn did well:

    1. This is an area with lots of distractions and I felt that he was pretty focused despite other interesting things going on!
    2. Despite some time off, he seemed very clear on the game and happy to participate. 
    3. At the article, he laid down without any verbal cue or direction! Yay!

    Three things to improve:

    1. Stay patient + let him figure things out. 
    2. Make sure reward/reinforcement at article is clear. 
    3. More regular practice - remember how much he enjoys this!!!

    Goals for next track: increase distance (both overall and between food drops) and let him work it out!

    Track 2: Laid 9:55 AM, Run: 10:05 AM

    Quinn's second track included a scuffed scent pad, 5 small shuffle steps with a food drop at the end, repeated 3 times, then sets of 3 normal steps with a food drop at the third step, repeated 12 times.) 


     Three things Quinn did well:

    1. He can be a pretty "chill" dog so I was pleased with how focused and intent he was. 
    2. He was quick to get back on task (there had clearly been something very interesting under the tree to our left near the start of the track, so I did ask him to refocus, which I usually don't need to do. But I thought he responded pretty well.)
    3. He indicated the article without a cue or reminder! 

    Three things to improve:

    1. Add length to next track - this was a big jump from Track 1 and he seemed completely fine with it. 
    2. Keep reinforcing down indication at article. 
    3. Stay patient! 

    Goal for next track: Keep adding length!  Quinn seems to enjoy tracking more every time we do it.

     




      

    Comments

    1. JudiDecember 15, 2025 at 2:57 PM

      I like it! To wean the food a bit, try this: Scuff 5 scuff steps, walk 3 normal steps, and put food on step 2, then return to 5 scuff steps, 3 walk with food at 2 (we abbreviate that as S5W3F2). That way, the walked portion is reinforced with food, and the scuff portion is reinforcing because it leads to the food portion (and hopefully the extra scent is reinforcing in itself). I ADORE your articles, well done!

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