Nosework (3/32)

Gimme started her false pregnancy two days before class. For awhile it was touch and go which toy would be the baby this time. There was a large bunny, a reindeer and a moose. She finally whelped a large, healthy baby moose. She's been carrying it everywhere she goes ever since.

These searches were little high-low combos. We were supposed to watch the dog to see if their nose height was a clue to hide height.

Interior 1 video - For the first part of this search, the hide was under the seat on the stool. Gimme's nose starts out low, but goes high 15 seconds into the search. She sniffs low repeatedly on the crate (high elsewhere); probably the scent was falling from the hide and catching on the pan in the crate. For the second part, she starts with her nose about shoulder height, but then it goes up and stays there. The funny thing was her reaction when she indicated, since I was on the far side of the table. She could see where I was, but couldn't see my face, so she came under the table to get me. Too bad you couldn't see her expression.

Interior 2 video - This time the hide was still on the stool, but low because the stool was on its side. Gimme wasn't sure how to indicated because the legs were in the way. The same thing happened for part 2, the hide was still "under" the table, but now the table was upside down. The other dogs didn't want to step on the table, but Gimme doesn't let those little things get in her way.

Interior 3 video - Naturally Gimme had to check out the toy (wasting 12 seconds) - she has almost 300 toys now, which is clearly not enough. Then she goes to work and finds the hide low on the ladder. In the second part the hide was under the stool. There is an interesting phenomenon, where dogs will check out an object just like the object where the hide is, before going to the hide. You will see Gimme sniff the other stool before turning to check out and indicated on the stool where the hide is.

Interior 4 video - There were only three of us in class and we worked through the planned exercises very fast, so we got an extra search. Gimme worked out the puzzle to find the hide high on the cart - notice she spends time on the two other carts. In the second search she was verrrrry fast to find the hide in the crack of the floor.

Given her condition, Gimme did a nice job on all her searches. Of course she was eager to rejoin the baby in the car.

The following week class was cancelled because it was just too too hot. It wasn't quite as hot as the forecasts said, but it was still too hot for a good class. Also since them, Gimme switched her affections to a purple lamb for a week. For the last four days she's been waffling back and forth between purple lamb, blue lamb, reindeer and moose. Of course, tonight she rediscovered supercow (a baby from a false pregnancy a couple years ago) and is snuggling it as we speak...