Nosework class (6/42)

These were a very interesting group of searches. They were all paired and started out so simple. They had an intriguing way of folding the box lid, so it left a section for the treats.

Gimme found it very exciting and after the first search she would spend the whole time in the foyer whining. We weren't "supposed" to treat them, since the hides were all paired, but I did anyway. I've learned with Gimme she will take this as a change in procedure and next thing I know she'll start doing touch-n-go hides, not waiting for treats from me. I don't want to risk making her indications less clear.

Interior 1 video - All three hides were out in the open. It's hard to believe it took Gimme 22 seconds to find the first hide, but then she really went to town. Next second took 8 seconds and the last at the far end of the room took 15 seconds. Easy peasy.

Interior 2 video - This time the three hides were under something. This can be intimidating for inexperienced dogs - it never bothered Gimme. She came in really excited and was moving faster than she did during the first search. These "under somethings" were so easy and I don't think she even noticed. The first was the tightest, but it didn't slow her down, 16 seconds. Under the table was eeeeasy, 7 seconds. The last also took 7 seconds.

Interior 3 video - For the third search the hides were more challenging. The one at the front was a puzzle to find the entrance. Gimme had it in 13 seconds. The far hide was against the wall, two tables deep, and she had it in 10 seconds. And the last hide, in the smallest space, took her 11 seconds. The laughter was because, in my attempt to toss her another treat, it landed on the shelf above the hide and the table edge made it a very tight squeeze for her to get to it - but she certainly did.

The last three searches had just one hide each and were more challenging.

Interior 4 video - This hide under the center of two tables proved challenging for all the dogs. She pulled the tables apart by a couple inches, so we could deliver treats from above. I had Dino Chicken Nuggets, so just held one by the tail dangling through the track.

Interior 5 video - Gimme got this really fast. It was on the seat of the chair and under the table, which makes it an intimidating tight squeeze for some dogs. After the nugget-on-the-shelf fiasco, this was very easy.

Interior 6 video - It's hard to see them in the video, but there is an expen across the front and a bit down both sides, so the dogs had to find the channel and then get in for a tight squeeze. There was also a table across the back, to keep them from trying to stick their nose through from the back. Gimme had this in 19 seconds.

This class demonstrated really nice incrementing to teach the dogs a specific challenge. It's a non-challenge for Gimme and August, so they just had a lot of fun with easy searches - great motivation for them.