Nosework (3/5)

I could'a titled this, "My Girlfriend's Back..."  Gimme was back gangbusters tonight...  she was totally into searching. 

Since she was so enthusiastic, I went ahead and started my plan of encouraging her earlier to come back to the search area when she's distracted.  I sort of jiggled the line, which results in multiple light tugs - a different feel from the usual steady pressure, but also not like hitting the end of the line with a jerk.  Also used "c'mon" and/or her name to encourage her to return to the search.  I marked the return with "yesssss" when she turned back. 

The first time needed the most emphasis, but then after that it took less and less to get her back.  So that was nice and encouraging.  My plan is to gradually do this earlier and earlier, until she gets it and ignores distractions on her own.  That's pretty much the same way I taught Michael and it worked.  The only difference was that with Michael I could give him a tangible (food) reward when he returned to me and for focus on me.  In nosework they only get paid for finding odor... so my hope is that her love of the hunt will act as a reward in lieu of something more tangible. 

Also, Joyce suggested that in addition to using the really good stuff - normally peanut butter - for nosework, that I also work in some variation.  So tonight was garlic chicken - which Gimme really enjoyed.  Of course the drawback is that chicken is crumbly... I could also make garlic steak, beef heart or pork.  

Over the weekend I taught a rally clinic and judged a rally competition for the Lewis County Youth Fair - an annual event to encourage kids to get involved in something 4H has to offer.  Many of the dogs are poorly trained and stressed by the environment, so I encourage the kids to make sure their dogs have fun.  Naturally they all bring really crummy store bought treats.  In past years I've had a jar of peanut butter and plastic spoons... so the kids could use that to lure their dogs around.  I found some dogs didn't care that much for PB (Gimme finds that unfathomable).  So this year I added a container of cream cheese and we offered the dogs that needed it a choice of peanut butter or cream cheese.  I found it interesting that 3 out of 4 dogs preferred cream cheese.  Did the test with Gimme and she seemed genuinely torn between the two, finally going with peanut butter.  So looks like she could be paid with cream cheese with favorable results.  Of course I like the PB for use in the squeeze tube, since it doesn't have to be refrigerated.

Tonight's sessions were two outdoors on the vehicles (2 cars and a trailer) followed by one session indoors for an off lead interior search.  A total of 10 hides -- a lot for one evening.  It was very windy outside, so challenging.  Gimme was very fast the first time finding all three hides in no time.  The second time, the wind was whipping around more and it took her longer.

Joyce said I did a good thing, which I freely admit was accidental.  After feeding her at the odor source, I stepped between Gimme and the odor to move her on.  She said that's a really good technique because as they progress to higher levels, they'll find odor and then it will stay there as they go on to look for more.  However, I have to break the habit of repeating her search cue "wherezit" between each hide.  When we get to higher levels we could be searching a room or area and not know how many hides there are (could be 0-3), so repeating the cue isn't advised. 

Also one thing I picked up might be the clue to helping Gimme understand when to stick with vehicles or containers, and when she's free to search the entire room or area.  For a room or area, I'll stand with her at the start line and give her the wherezit cue from there.  For vehicles and containers, I can walk her right up to the nearest vehicle or container and then give her the wherezit cue.  Many dogs seem to pick up the difference in search style, but Gimme hasn't yet, so hopefully that will give her another piece to that puzzle.

Indoors we did a simple interior search and Gimme had a good time running all over the room.  We were all focused on watching the dogs to see what behavior changes show up when they are in odor.  The poodle closes his mouth.  Dash goes from bouncy and loose, to a tighter more collected movement.  Grafton's tail changes - usually it has a bouncy gentle wag that goes with his stride and when he gets in odor, his tail becomes more still. 

Gimme seems to turn and go in a pretty direct line when she gets the scent.  Susan said her topline gets more "hunched" too.  I'm not sure what that means, so I'll get someone to video us next time and see if I can pick out what she is talking about.

So it was a very fun evening, especially after the dismal ORT...