Nosework (3/25)

I forgot to take my camera, so I just have a description of our three searches.

The first search was 14 boxes lined up behind the building, with 4 hides. The wind was strong, 6-8 mph. There was some light trash behind the building and it was swirling around and up in the air as the dogs were searching. It was really interesting to see what the air current was doing. All the dogs did well on the search, though Gimme seemed to have the most fun with it. She enjoyed getting paid for finding the hides again on the way back to the start.

The second search was 2 vehicles and 3 hides. We got to pick where to place the hides. There was one on the bumper, one on the stabilization leg (inaccessible and likely to have scent show up on the far side of the truck). The third hide was in a back wheel, aligned with the stabilization leg. We alternated the dogs' start position from left side to right side. Gimme was last. Based on how the dogs searched, the front bumper was the easiest. Then the stabilization leg and finally the dogs would get the back wheel. Both of the not-bumper hides were locations I suggested.

Gimme started from the right side.  She went around the near front bumper, straight to the back wheel hide (pale green line). She was the only one to get it first. I saw her tip her nose toward the bumper hide. She started back to the front and then turned back, reading the front tire (pale blue). She went up and down the side until she settled on the hide location. From there she went around the front of the other vehicle (lavender) to the far side, sniffing briefly before coming to the bumper hide. She was really very fast.

The third search was a submerged hide in one of six water bowls. Gimme charged into the area so fast she went right by the hide, then quickly circled right back to it.

Dorothy said she thought it looked like Gimme enjoyed searching in the wind. I think this may be true. She is talented and experienced enough to not be confused by it and I think the way it pushes odor to her is exciting. I believe it may be a little bit like the high dogs get from sticking their heads out a car window.