Practice Session, 12.24.2025
Quinn and I joined Ann Li and Skyler at Dorey Park for some Christmas Eve tracking practice! The weather was amazing and we had a wonderful time!
Ann and I traded off and set tracks for each other. We repeated the S5W3F2 pattern for Quinn because I wanted to make sure he was really solid at that; but on this occasion we were able to repeat the pattern for a longer distance because we had plenty of space. As we are tracking, whether it is from track to track or start to finish on one track, I feel like he gets more confident as we go. (Great motivation to practice a lot!) Having a big space to really let him settle in and work was nice!
Weather conditions:
- Temperature: 50° F
- Wind: N 6 MPH
- Humidity: 78%
- Overall: Clear & calm
Track 1: Laid 10:22 AM, Run 10:30 AM
Three things Quinn did well:
- He was ready to GO when I clipped the leash to his harness! He wasn't rude about it but very happy and excited to get to work.
- He knows & likes Ann, and he lives for socializing, but apart from looking at her a few times while she followed him with the camera, he stayed focused.
- He only needed a little cue at the article (which is good for HIM, and bad for me - because I didn't practice enough with him! We are back on schedule and doing article games every day to keep him keen on it.)
Three things to improve:
- I know he is very capable of a nice down at the article, just need to make sure we are doing regular practice and reinforcement.
- Clearly I should trust him and find opportunities to make even longer tracks for him to work on!
- Not sure what else I am doing wrong (probably plenty of things!)
Goal for next track: We repeated the pattern for another long stretch to get him really comfortable with this one.
Track 2: Laid: 11:08 AM, Run: 11:15 AM
Three things Quinn did well:
- Ann put an article at the beginning of this one, and while picking it up I managed to drop Quinn's water thingy out of my vest pocket. My fumbling didn't stop him and he got right down to work!
- He makes it very clear for me when he is 'investigating' vs when he's actually on the track. He likes to investigate at most food drops, but he doesn't really pull or get too distracted, just checks around and then gets back to tracking. Thanks, buddy!
- Only glanced at Ann twice on this one; extremely focused in general.
Three things to improve:
- (Same list from first track!)
Goal for next track: I think he's got the hang of S5W3F2, so maybe just more distance as we go along/more distance between food drops? As usual we are looking forward to class on Tuesday and finding out what comes next!!!
I'll defer to Judi/Mary Ann on how far to push ahead, but he's looking good! Eager to see you both on Tuesday!
ReplyDeleteChange one thing at a time. So if you are adding yardage, hold at your successful "pattern". How long are these tracks? I would be inclined to stretch them out and let him settle into a rhythm while keeping the same scuff walk food pattern.
ReplyDeleteMary Ann
They were about 40 yards each; the second track was slightly longer than the first. We will stick to the pattern and look for opportunities to add yardage. Thanks!
DeleteWow!! How long were these?
ReplyDeletePer Ann (who set them for me at our 'study group') - they were about 40 yards each; I believe the second was slightly longer than the first.
Delete