Urban Tracking (8) and RFE/N

On Christmas morning Nadine and I met at the theater for another urban tracking session.  Still following the program outlined in Sil Sander's proposed new book, we were scheduled for two island hopping tracks of 100 and 120 yards.  It was very cold - probably in the mid-30's and relatively dry.  We let our tracks age for 15 minutes.

Gimme ran first and did a really nice job.  Since we started using food drops which blend in with the surroundings, I see Gimme really getting down to business with her nose.  Much of the time she goes right over the food drops without stopping - treats we leave for the birds.  Its good to see the visual tendency going away - true of all the girls.  There were a couple of places where she'd lose the track.  I find her loss of track signs harder to see in urban than field work; its more subtle.  Nadine thinks its really easy to see, but then she laid the track, so its always easier to see something when you know what is going on.  I'm sure I'll catch it at some point.  In any case, with Nadine there to tell me when to hold up, Gimme did a nice job working through the loss of track.  I'm starting to think she may need me to hold her back more in urban than field tracking, perhaps so she doesn't overrun her nose.  Or else I'm not doing as good of a job at line tension.  Its something I'll be watching in coming urban practices.

The certificate for Gimme's RallyFrEe Novice title came in the mail.  Here is beautiful Gimme posing with it.

Here's to a satisfying and successful 2016 for all our peeps.  May your year be joyous...

Happy New Year