Seren tracking

 Capitol Soccer Fields Seren - turn track with 8 turns. Age 2.5 hr. Had to change plan twice along the way here due to mowing & it got hot faster than I had expected. Seren had some difficulties along the way so I got to practice helping her by shortening the line, moving a bit when she went in right direction, not asking for as much pulling right away, etc. There was no one to yell at me to keep my mouth shut, so that was a problem - but at least I was aware when I was doing it. Will endeavor to make next session super easy, maybe even with a little bit of woods. video  https://youtu.be/pkjeTzXBxoE?feature=shared

 Poor Farm Park.  Sunny,  60 degrees, 2mph, 80% Dylan’s track laid by me, videoed with commentary by Judi. Age 1/2 hour https://youtu.be/SiBN_zy9Omo?feature=shared Seren’s track laid by Judi, who also videoed with commentary. Age 1 hour https://youtu.be/CKyVExh5Lbw?feature=shared I was happy with both of these. Great to have someone pointing things out to me in real time!

 Hanover Courthouse  Seren had 4 one turn tracks, with age increasing from 1.5 hours to 2 hr, 2.5 hr, 3 hr. The older the track, the more food & scuffing it had. I had to remember food, petting, & praise at each article and to wait for her to pull before I move out. I was pretty pleased with this. Age of track did not seem to be a factor today. #1 - overcast, 75 degrees, 5mph, 89%    https://youtu.be/9ScK_VBz7ZI?feature=shared #2 - overcast, 76 degrees, 5mph, 88%   https://youtu.be/T3fQLdMs-GM?feature=shared #3 - overcast, 78 degrees, 7mph, 85%   https://youtu.be/PZ4fR8A0HFs?feature=shared #4 - overcast, 79 degrees, 5mph, 84%   https://youtu.be/9sYvZlTj5lM?feature=shared Dylan had a 2 turn track, age 1hr 45min. Middle article up on picnic table seat. Line kept at 10-12 feet to try to keep him more precisely on track. I thought he did quite well with this, but I may need to use a glove as an intermediate article more often. Or maybe not - does i...

 Kersey Creek Elementary School Each dog had a 4 turn track, age 90 min. Both still working on staying down at article until released to continue track. Seren had some sidewalk crossings & 1 article slightly off track. Dylan had some slightly hidden articles & crossed mulch & gravel. Seren was distracted by a dog walker in the distance early on - not usually an issue for her but perhaps she’s been talking to Dylan. Much better about waiting to be released at articles Seren:   https://youtu.be/LXSm5uNCFVM?feature=shared Dylan much better about sticking right on the track today. Sometimes needed reminder to lie down, but good about staying there once he did Dylan:   https://youtu.be/oLvRbAO2U54?feature=shared

 Trevvitt Elem. Comparatively cooler weather, so increased age a bit for both dogs. Worked on making articles more rewarding for both as well. Each had 2 unflagged turns, article on 2nd leg. Dylan’s intermediate & end articles not readily visible. Both tracks aged 2 hr. Sunny, 71degrees, 5mph, 79% Seren had some difficulty on 1st leg where a man had walked across the track as I was putting the harness on, so a very fresh cross track. She figured it out with some encouragement & started pulling again very quickly after she got back on the track. Both dogs doing well with waiting at the articles, will start randomizing the food after a few more sessions. Dylan found his ‘hidden’ articles without a problem. Kept his line short to keep him tighter to the track. He was mildly distracted by vehicle passing by & stopping to watch us work Seren:    https://youtu.be/_pIupLVUjss?feature=shared Dylan:   https://youtu.be/XuDpoUQjkF4?feature=shared

 Dorey Park Each dog had a 3 turn track with an article on each turn. Dog was to stay for food, petting, & praise until released to get back to the track. I think we all did a little better than yesterday. Seren had #1, Dylan #2. Both aged 90 minutes. I am noting that Dylan tracks with his head higher than Seren & is more easily visually distracted. Also tends to look, rather than smell, for article when he gets close. Probably has always been this way & I am just now perceiving it. Need to give him more ‘hidden’ articles. Seren    https://youtu.be/l2QOsEMQC2U?feature=shared Dylan    https://youtu.be/5Df2_5i1kEU?feature=shared