Winter tracking

Just a quick note about winter tracking. I don't track dogs below 20 degrees, because I don't think it's safe. But tracking in snow does help the dog. Even if you're out in the back yard, you will see dogs stick their noses down into footprints and sniff. I love this photo of Tess, Devon's littermate. This was taken on a walk, but she's in classic tracking posture and her nose is right in those footprints!

Another advantage to tracking in snow, is you see what other tracks have been through your own. Ever wonder what you dog looks like when it comes upon a deer trail? Look for deer tracks and put in your track right through them. You can really see your cross tracks and see how the dog works them.

One thing to be cautious of is the salt used on parking lots. It can burn dogs feet, so have the dog wear boots or take a wet wipe and clean the dogs feet as soon as they're in your car.

Don't let a little snow run your goals for spring tracking tests! Layer up and go have some fun!

Page's first snow

Today Page got to experience her first snow. We got about 1.25 inches of wet snow, and I was surprised when I looked out this morning (the forecasters blew it and only called for a light dusting). I opened the back door, and as I suspected Page went blasting out into the snow without missing a beat.

Page was quite curious about it, and she got the zoomies. She stayed out longer than any of the other dogs today playing in the snow. She also learned from watching Connor that you can eat the snow. Since she likes ice cubes (as does Connor), this was great fun.

Unfortunately the fun was over by this afternoon, and the snow was gone. I think we'll be seeing more of the white stuff, so Page will continue to enjoy it this winter, I'm sure!

I took these video clips very early this morning. The girls very similar, so for reference Devon is darker and has less tail feathering than her little sister Page. Oh, and Connor makes an appearance, too. He's the cream colored Golden that blends into the snow. He announces his presence by barking in the first video. Enjoy!

Welcome Spring!

Today was the first day of Spring! We had a beautiful day here in central Indiana. The sky was clear and blue, but the temps were a little chilly. There was frost on the deck and in the yard when I took the dogs out for the first time this morning. I had a brisk walk into the church for exercise class. I even wore a coat and gloves to start out Devon's first weave session. The coat came off early in the session, but the gloves stayed on! I'm just glad we didn't have snow like they did in NYC and many other places on the East Coast!

So on this first day of Spring, it was only appropriate that the agility equipment sprouted up in the back lot. Well, sprouting sounds like there was little effort, which isn't true. Thanks to my Dad who was a willing helper this afternoon, we got the equipment out of the building and all the contacts put together. I was impressed it only took us an hour to get this done! 

Connor and Devon supervised and helped by cleaning rabbit poop out of the lot. Connor also assisted by being the first dog over all the contact equipment for the year. After I secured the bracing under the dogwalk so it didn't move as much, Devon took her first tour of the contacts for the year. It only took her a couple of times to get the hang of the teeter again. I see more teeter work in her future!

After exercise class this morning, working the dogs this afternoon and moving the equipment outside, I decided I could set up sequences tomorrow! I'm a little sore this evening ... nothing a little ice cream and strawberries and an early bedtime won't cure!

Happy Spring!

SNOW DAY!!

By 6 a.m. this morning we had more than 9 inches of snow and by noon we finished the storm with 12 inches. Now it's a beautiful sunny day. There was no way, even with 4WD I was getting out of the driveway, so we had a snow day!

The dogs had a blast playing in the snow. And yes, that's how Ian and Devon ALWAYS fly off the deck...

Connor had a rough start this morning. At 6 a.m., the thought of sliding down the snow covered steps to the yard was too much for him, so he pottied on the deck. Considering he'll be 9-years-old this weekend, he's allowed. You can tell he got over his worry about the steps in the daylight!

Devon can go down the steps about as fast as she comes up them!

However, Devon does have some problems FINDING things in the snow. For a tracking dog (and a field dog) things falling into the snow baffle her. Last week she lost a bumper at HY BAR Training Center, and Bang the Rottie had to find it for her! But she stuck with it today, looking for a CUZ Chicken. 

Part 1, the throw and search...

Part 2 (I totally give up on her)...

Part 3, she gets a 10 out of 10 for persistence! Even though it took her 10 minutes, she's a good girlie!!

And typical for Devon, once she figures it out the first time, she's got it! She never lost the chicken again (bringing it to me was an other issue....).

If you got it, I hope you all enjoyed the snow as much as we did! I shoveled a path for Connor to make it to the steps and down them safely. My dad drove the tractor 1/2 mile to my house and dug out my driveway. So I'll have to go back to work tomorrow. Oh well, at least we had a fun, quiet day today!