Nosework (3/26)

Dorothy wasn't there, so we only had the co-instructor.

Interior 1 video - The idea for this search was to start with the first two chairs and let the dog search without the handler crossing the line, except to reward. There was two hides on the chairs, and then 3 others on tables. Gimme did great with the chairs, not really caring whether I moved with her or not. After the chairs we were allowed to let them go off leash. The table hides were low (on the foot), medium (diagonal support) and high (under edge of table top). Gimme found the low hide really quickly. All the other dogs had a real difficulty with the high table hide and they were all really checking out the purple stepstool multiple times. Gimme found the high hide second, but seemed to find it a bit of a challenge. The third hide she found was easy to find, but first she had to move away from it, and then when she came back it was very clear. We never were able to figure out why all the dogs had difficulty with the high table hide. They've seen similar hides a thousand times, so why it was challenging this time is a real mystery.

Interior 2 video - This time there were 3 inaccessible hides, off leash. One of things you will see a lot with inaccessible hides is all the bracketing behavior as the dogs try to figure out how to get to odor. Gimme demonstrates this beautifully with the hide behind the expen panels. It's also common for them to go back and forth and then go really wide before coming back. Gimme has enough experience to make her own decisions, so I waited for it before rewarding her. Her look at me comes when she's decided. She decided much faster with the hide in the file cabinet, probably because it was enclosed, so there wasn't as much scent coming out to make it seem like she could get to it by bracketing. For the third hide under the red cart, all the dogs spent a lot of time before deciding. Gimme seemed to want odor to be on the top - she does love high hides. She leaves it and trots around the room, then when she comes back, she decides quickly.   A very nice job.


Interior 3 video - The last search was 3 accessible hides, off leash. It's always best to follow inaccessible hides with accessible hides. A couple of dogs had difficulty with the hide on the bottom of the red cart. Gimme was awesome fast with this search. Three hides in 1 minute - what's not to love...

A funny thing, I was still so far away when Gimme made her decision on the hide at the front of the room, so she looked at the closest people - just in case one of them wanted to pay her. Funny girl...