Nosework (5/37)

This was an interesting class with unusual goals.

Vehicle 1 video - The first hide was set so there would be a strong breeze blowing under the vehicle toward the hide. Gimme had no problem solving it. Then we were to continue searching the whole vehicle, which she was happy to do.

Vehicle 2 video - This search had one hide per vehicle. None of the dogs went to the hide on the first vehicle direct from the startline. They all found the hide on the second vehicle first. Then half found the hide on third vehicle next and half went back to find the hide on the first vehicle. Gimme was efficient and sure - I was just a strap hanger.

These interior searches were about doing dumb handler moves, to prepare the dog for it happening at a trial. Also, some dogs have learned unintended patterns when they get their leash put on or taken off. For instance they might have learned putting the leash on means searching is over. So doing it repeatedly and unconnected to their expected meaning helps to unlearn the association. Gimme didn't have either issue, so the instructor was instructing me to do it whenever she showed a change of behavior near a hide.  Gimme thought I was more inept than usual, but she couldn't be bothered to pay attention to my whackadoo stuff.

Interior 1 video - I really thought I'd get the infamous Gimme eye-roll, but it didn't happen. Gimme quickly went into "ignore Mom" mode. She found both hides, despite my handling ineptitude. The we put the leash on her one last time and let her find both hides again.

Interior 2 video - For the last search they altered the hides a bit and we came in through the back door. Gimme never has any issue about walking on icky stuff, like the underside of the big tables. She was unaffected by the leash on/off changes. I normally don't pay her for re-finding hides, but did for purposes of this class. I will not do it for the next bunch of classes, otherwise she'll start to expect it.

The comment about her being offended had to do with the toy. Normally Gimme checks the toys and lays claim to them. This time a classmate ran her toy obsessed youngster first and he slobbered on them. Gimme wrinkled her nose in disgust and wouldn't even get close to them.

She did a nice job on these searches and didn't let my weird handling throw her off at all. Good girl!