Nosework (2/32)

This class started with high searches and then added a low search, creating a high-low challenge.

The searches were set up to run into the other. So we kept the dog in one search area until they solved the problem and then moved right into the next search without anything to indicate it was a new search. Unfortunately Dorothy forgot to start videoing, so you miss the first minute of the first search.

Exteriors 1-3 video - Gimme knew right away there was a high hide, you see her looking up a lot. The wind was quite variable, increasing the challenge. I don't usually pay her for searches until she makes a decision, but in this case she'd already been working for over three minutes on one hide, so it seemed a good time to support her efforts. On the second search she really localizes the very inaccessible high hide very fast. She had the general area down, but was bouncing back and forth between the three options - door jam, sign and column - too fast for me to get in and reward her for close enough. Then she makes a decision and sticks it - solving the puzzle in under a minute - huge improvement from the one before it. It takes Gimme 27 seconds to go from search 2 to the spools and then solves the hide to my standards in 36 seconds. The other handlers were accepting any feet up on them, whereas I wanted to see Gimme make a decision. You'll see she gets her nose up to it and then turns to look at me to make sure I noticed.

Exteriors 4-6 video - This time we approached from a different direction and Gimme finds the hide on the spools 25% faster. She gets the second hide in this section quickly, so finds the two hides in less time than to find one. For the next search she again finds both in less time than to find one. And, likewise for the third pair. She solves all 6 hides in 3:20, whereas it took her 6:10 to find 3 hides before.

Nice work Miss Gimme.