This class was devoted to interior and container searches. As far into her false pregnancy as Gimme is, I didn't expect much, but she did really well. She was even faster than usual. I think maybe she was eager to finish the searches as fast as she could so she could so she could get her chicken-nuggies and get back to her "baby".
Interior 1 search video - This was a high hide, 3rd ledge up on the garage door. In case there was ever any doubt about Gimme's prowess - she had this hide in 14 seconds! There was a competition to drop treats from the hide location to the dogs. Gimme was the only one to catch her treats. Never let it be said a Dalmatian allowed food to hit the floor.
The rest of the class was devoted to containers and in particular uncommon configurations.
Container 1 search video - There was only one hide in this long line of 12 containers. Gimme had the first hide in 6.3 seconds! Even if they got the hide the first time, we were supposed to bring them back up the line. Gimme got to the end and back to the hide again in under 10 seconds. I'm sure Gimme is as bemused as I am about their idea of "fast" and "almost running". She's still waiting for the day I truly get-the-lead-out.
Container 2 search video - This search was three lines of four boxes (twelve total) with one hide. Not sure what was unusual about this configuration since I've seen it many times. Gimme started out with just popping and kicking boxes, not seriously searching. I made her stop and told her to "settle down", which she did and then she had the hide in 9 seconds. Dorothy thinks she settled down because of a change in handling; I think her settled searching made it possible to maintain a consistent line length and tension.
Container 3 search video -
This was the "X" configuration with one hide. The dogs do tend to cut the corner at the middle and miss the center box. I think my strategy of letting her do so and then turning and coming back up the line worked perfectly, since she caught the center box then, coming at it straight. She had it in 12 seconds, so it was still a nice effective time. Since I re-presented it and she indicated nicely, she got paid for finding it again. The whole search was 34 seconds. Note she baps the last box as we leaving the search - I thought this was a con, trying to get another goodie. Minx...
