Last Friday we did our first urban practice since September. As I said, we are backing up to the beginning for the pavement stuff, to install good habits and get rid of bad ones.
Gimme has developed a tendency to "go visual" when things are challenging. She can spot a treat very easily. So at the last urban tracking seminar (early September) we came up with using beef jerky cut in small pieces (less than ½ inch square). They don't seem to show up against the blacktop we mostly end up working on.
For our practice, we started with one island hopping around three islands, with a sock at the beginning and article at the end. Nadine put one treat between the islands. Gimme did well, but seemed to struggle with the gaps. I don't go forward with her until she puts her nose down.
The second time we did the same exact islands, but added two more. I had Nadine space 3 treats across the gaps, with same start sock and end article. What I found was Gimme got the first two treats, but tended to overrun the third one. I was holding her back until she found it. But I'm not sure I should. I need to email Sil and see what he recommends. Another option is to simply put down two treats, spaced closer to the first half of the gap. Then when she gets the scent off the curb she can go for it.
We are meeting tomorrow at the sports fields complex in Auburn. Gimme should do well at this, but I want to make sure we don't overdo the time. She's good on sports fields, but last summer I think we increased the time too quickly, which led to some challenging and frustrating experiences. Certainly right now while she's in her false pregnancy, I want to make sure it goes well and is lotsa fun.
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