We are in a serious school mode at our house the past few months! As you know Bailie is in Obedience School. She finished level one and is now in level two. Hopefully she will pass that and move on to get her CGC. Bailie and I are in Nose Work 2, and last weekend Bailie took an intro to tracking class. Mom is really busy driving us around and helping us with all our homework! Today I wanted to tell you about what we are doing in Nose Work and then about Bailie and tracking. One other note…I keep forgetting to say a special thank you to Jodi at Heart Like A Dog. It was because of her posts about Nose Work quite a while ago that Mom started looking into the sport for us. We learn so much from our friends in Blogville, it is a wonderful community!
Nose Work 1 was all about finding treats which was super fun, but in Nose Work 2, we have moved on to odor. The odor we are working on is birch. For humans it may seem like an easy thing to do, but we need to adjust slowly. We now have our own odor kit. Mom has to really take care when handling the odor as to not contaminate things with it. If she doesn’t wear gloves, that birch odor will be all over the place and confuse us. The odor sticks need to be kept in two containers – the fresh sticks and the ones that we have been using. The sticks should last 4-6 months. The containers used for the hides are always metal, no plastic, with a few holes punched in the top. ***Lately there has been some talk about Nose Work using odor like Birch being harmful to dogs, but we have been reassured that the amount used is so very minimal, there are no worries. We don’t eat it either, just sniff for it.***
To learn about odor, we started with the odor container in a source box with a treat on top to help our noses out a bit. When we find it, Mom tosses another treat in as a reward.
This teaches us that finding birch means rewards. The photos of me are a bit blurred because Mom was in a hurry to snap a photo and get me a treat, all while I was moving.
Once I could associate the birch with the source box and treats, the container was hidden without the source box. At first it was real close to an empty source box, but then the source box was taken completely out of the picture.
I found this one pretty quickly and Mom tossed in the reinforcement treat.
The two things we need to keep in mind for both Nose Work and Tracking are:
- Always have a drink of water before starting. Water cleanses our nose and olfactory system so our noses can start out fresh with each run. It is like a wine taster cleansing his pallet between each wine sample.
- Wear different harnesses for each sport. We can feel the difference. The ones with the handle are good for Nose Work, but for Tracking we need a different one that is less restricting.
I promise to get some video of our Nose Work, but it has been difficult because our class is so small. I hope to have video in a week or two.
Now I have to turn the keyboard over to Bailie who attended the tracking class.
Well, I got to go to an intro to tracking class with Mom on Sunday. She thinks I am a perfect tracking dog. The class is at the same school as our Nose Work class, just a different location. The class was for dogs and their owners. There were four of us total, I was the youngest and only female in the class. The boys all wanted to meet me, but dog contact was not allowed, so that did not happen. The instructors talked about all that tracking entails, how much work it is, why it would be difficult to have two dogs doing it at the same time, the equipment I would need, totally boring monotonous stuff. I was so excited to go but after an hour I was thinking I would have had more fun at home.
Finally they said we could go outside and see how to set up a beginner track and work it. Now we are talking fun. We watched the teacher do a track with her dog, then two others in the class did one and finally it was my turn. Some stranger held onto me while Mom laid the track. Then it was time for me to give it a shot.
Well, guess what? Yep, Mom was right I am a natural. No one had to tell me what to do! I put my nose down and got to business. I was so busy following the track, I did not even pick up some of the treats – no time for eating when I am working! I got to the end of the track where the “article” with treats was, I ate one or two treats, left the rest, and started tracking something else.
My only complaint is the track was so short and it was over with in a jiffy! We did not have a harness or proper lead, this was just to give it a try but I loved it and I am a natural as Mom thought. If all goes well, I will start tracking class in August and hopefully be able to get my TD (Tracking Dog) Title shortly after that. Then I can move on to further classes and titles. There is a lot of practice time involved and you need a lot of space to set up tracks, so that will be the hardest part for us. Mom and I are really excited to get started with tracking. Emma and I will both continue to do Nose Work and hopefully be competing together in that sport.
Just a reminder that I have a few giveaways going on right now:
- EarthRated poop bags or Frost Fingers gloves
- Win an Excalibur Dehydrator
- Free mobiPET tag to two winners
What have you been doing to stay fit? Join in the FitDog Friday Blog Hop hosted byΒ SlimDoggy,Β Peggyβs Pet Place and To Dog With Love!Β Share your story with others and find new fitness ideas too!
Wow that’s awesome Emma and very interesting. You definitely sound like a natural!
I’m pretty good at it, but Bailie has a nose that is really exceptional!
Emma- you are such a good example for the rest of us. Always up and exercising or learning a new skill. Great work!
-SlimDoggy
We try, and it is a lot of fun for us too. Staying fit and eating right doesn’t have to be a terrible project π
So much activity at your house. It it wonderful. Good for you guys.
It is wearing Mom out trying to keep up with it all!
Bravo we are in awe of you and your clever mum. Have a fabulous Friday.
Best wishes Molly
We just love to sniff since we are scent hounds π
Along with your nose work, Emma, you are a fantastic writer! Tell sister Bailie how pawsome she is and will be in tracking. Great job to all. XOXO Sparkle the PBGV
Mom is really excited for tracking because Bailie does it naturally. I track too, but not to the extent she does it. It will be fun to see how she does once that gets started.
Wow, you guys are awesome. Good job with all the schooling, and best of luck to Balie.
Lots of school, and even more homework, Mom is wearing out from it all!
Pawesome Emma!!!! Trev and I wish you the best!!!!
Thanks! We are having lots of fun with our noses!
Multi-sport athletes! You guys are paying the inspiration forward, I’m going to have to look at some classes in our area.
Eko would love it, even though he is more of a sight hound type, he can learn to follow his nose π That is what the teacher told the Ridgebacks in Bailie’s class last weekend.
Very Exciting! Go Emma.
Can’t wait until we are good enough to start competition π
Hi Y’all!
Wow! That was impressive!
Y’all come by now,
Hawk aka BrownDog
We love to follow our noses…the trick is getting Mom to trust us!
Glade to hear you guys are doing well! Im sure your sister Bailie will be another awesome tracker!
Keep us updated!
Talent Hounds
We will keep updating as we progress for sure!
I took a couple of Nose Work classes a year or so ago. It was fun! And now Mom uses what I learned to play ‘find it’ on those cold and rainy days. I would LOVE a tracking class though. I think I’m like Bailie–a natural. My nose is always to the ground!
Bailie is always tracking, it sometimes makes Mom nuts but maybe if she gets to do it as a “job” it will relax a bit on normal walks…or maybe not π
Wow! Tracking looks like fun! We’ve been doing nose work in our garage, and I’ve been meaning to shoot a video too. It’s just so impressive to watch the dogs using their sniffers!
Nose work seems to be easier. Tracking takes a lot of time and a lot of space for practicing, which is why only Bailie will be doing it, at least at first. The human also has to not mind racing around in fields, woods, etc to lay tracks and then follow the dog. It is an all weather sport and can also be real messy. The teacher said it is “not a fashion event” by any means!
Emma you never cease to amaze us. And you are so correct about Blogville, we love learning and reading fun stuff (yes, like the tunnel) from all our anipals. Can’t wait for the video, so hurry with that one will ya? Have a great weekend, we’ve got two days of sun, so we’re never coming indoors!!! Correction – not until Tuesday, that’s when the snow returns…
We missed the snow this morning, but who knows what next week will bring…ugh! Time for the mess to end!
You sure have one busy household! It is very exciting the new things you are learning, and the fact that you are both doing so well at it. It sounds like a lot of fun too. I have done the very beginnings of nose work games with Luke, just for fun right now, and plan to try it with the girls too.
There is so much to nose work. It is more than just hide and seek of an item or treat, it is a whole plan/system that we have to learn. It makes us really tired, but we love it! We are now to the point of searching with no boxes. We just started that last night. It is a bit odd at first, but it just gets to be more and more fun.
Tynan was a natural tracker too. We went as far as we were allowed to go in classes and mock trials (he was not allowed to actually compete because back then mixed breeds weren’t allowed and he was too old for actual SAR training by the time I discovered his abilities.) It was when I needed to buy or make a scent kit that I grew tired of Nose Work. Wilhelm enjoyed it but he likes agility more. There’s only so much driving to classes a dog taxi can do!!! I am very impressed with your work and your mom’s! π
You are right about the taxi service! Bailie is only 9 months, so Mom has high hopes for her with tracking and nose work. I hope to compete myself. All the practice is real time consuming, but we love it and it is what we were bred to do, so Mom will keep on going with it. Some day she may tire of it, we will see.
Bailie we are sooo proud of you! That class sounds like fun and it’s so cool there is a place like that in your city. Keep up the awesome job!
There are all kind of tracking, like urban tracking that is done in places like college campuses. Tracking they say has really evolved.
That is amazing Emma and it looks like you and Bailie both look forward to the fun!
Great nose working tips!!!
thanks for sharing!
Have a great weekend!
α¦ husky hugz α¦ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
We are getting pretty good at working our noses π
It sounds like your nose work class is getting a bit more complicated. I don’t know if Niles could find that smell but then again I’ve never tried. π Hope you guys keep at it and get to start competing soon!
Dogs noses are amazing, I would be he could.
That was interesting, Emma. Many thanks for this post! I wish we could work a track together once. My mom said it’s the only activity what makes me dog tired, so we will do it next time too. Have a super weekend :o)
Bailie and Mom will need a tracking buddy, but you may be a bit far away for weekly practicing π
that’s true :o) but it would be great :o) maybe we have to wait till I finished the “world-tunnel” in my back yard :o)
Sounds like a big and I mean big project!
You girls are so talented! I want to try the nose work with my doggies, I think they’d love it. =D
I think almost every dog likes nose work.
That’s some cool stuff Emma! You should be getting your Unbreakoball soon! They mailed it out today:) Let us know if you like it!
I will be watching the mailbox for it to arrive!
Great job girls. I think both classes would be fun.
They are perfect for us and Mom is looking forward to more exercise with tracking.
Wow! I sure enjoyed that lesson! Walker and i have done some nose work classes, but it’s been awhile. They sure are fun!
Mom says nose work and we are Johnny on the spot! We just get mad that our turns are always so short!
π
Wow you have been so busy and keeping up on blogging. I am impressed. The nose work and tracking classes are so interesting. I can’t wait to hear more about them.
PS it was freezing with snow showers at yesterday’s training…ugg. Will we ever have real Spring?
No spring here…7 degrees this morning, snow tomorrow morning…global warming is killing us!
We have learned so much from you guys! Hope Spring gets there soon! Love Dolly
We are hoping for spring time soon. Hope you are feeling better. Saw on fb you were at the vet again.
It was interesting to learn more about it. You have a lot of fun! It sounds as though Bailie will be really good at tracking.
Bailie has such an awesome nose and natural talent for tracking, it will be really fun with her.
Rooo Emma – this is a pawsome post. Did you know my human is trying to get me booked in for a sniffer class too? I’m really looking forward to it – and it seems you girls really love using your noses too! *Waggy tail*
I’m sure you will love it. It seems to move slowly, but it is really mentally exhausting. We can’t wait to go to class!