Field Tracking (69 & 70) and Urban (164)

I am a bit late in getting these tracking blogs done, but they are all very similar.  My plan was a capital "R" shaped track, where the section near the first leg is much closer than you would see at a tracking test.  I wanted to train to a more difficult level than we'll be tested on.

On Thursday, July 23rd, Nadine and I met at Flaming Geyser and did the first of our "R" tracks.  I didn't make the spacing clear, so Nadine laid a track where the legs were too far apart.  I was looking for something like 25-40 feet and this was more like 60 feet.  Gimme showed no sign she noticed the other leg in either part of the track.  She did enjoy the easy track in the 3' tall grass.

 

On Thursday, July 30th, Nadine and I met at Game Farm Park to repeat the "R" tracks under different conditions. I thought I was clear about the spacing I wanted for Gimme, but the legs were even farther apart.  It was about 75 feet.  Gimme definitely didn't notice the other leg in either part of the track.  It worked out okay though, since it was hot and dry and the pollen level was very high.

 

 

 

 

Today, Thursday, August 6th, we again met at Flaming Geyser and Gimme got her third "R" track.  (we did something different for Cricket and Sugar).  This time the legs were 20-25 feet and the close-together section was MUCH longer.  The shape was a bit different to make use of the space we had available, so it doesn't look much like an "R". Gimme definitely noticed the other leg in both directions.  The first time I helped her figure it out with just a little bit of line tension.  The other times, she'd explore in the direction of the other leg, but then leave it on her own.  While we were getting ready to lay tracks, a deer sauntered right across where Gimme's track was going to be laid, so she had an extra challenge.  She was very interested in where the deer had passed through, but then went back to work.

I was very pleased with her efforts today with both the intended and unintended challenges.  In a few weeks we'll do the "R" or something similar again. 

I did finally get some bee pollen today.  I'm not sure if it will do her any good, since I normally start giving it to her in late-March-early-April, and continue through early October.  Time will tell.