Bailie here posting today about my quest for a tracking title. Emma figured it was best for me to cover this topic since I was there and she was not. I was hoping to have a nice title to howl about today, but instead of any titles I have some yellow paperwork marked failed, my draw keepsake, and the list of competitors.
Mom and I learned a lot from our first quest at an AKC Tracking Dog Title. The hosts in Iowa were all so very nice to us and quite helpful too. The first lesson we learned is if a competition is four hours or less driving time, we will sleep at home and leave real early to make a 7am start time. The hotels are often not the best which means, neither of us slept well. We are both used to hotels, but this hotel was not conducive to sleep. Then there was the wabbit issue. The entire place was surrounded by wabbits. I wouldn’t do my business because I was too busy trying to get to the wabbits. It was not a good scene.
The test was held at this conservation center. It was a nice place and awesome for tracking. We were there really early as Mom was nervous and didn’t want to be late if we happened to get lost. I was the third dog of six to draw a track and I got track five.
The above photo is a view of the start flag for my track, track five. The first leg went straight to the left parallel to the roadway. My track was also the only track completely visible from the building, so everyone could watch from indoors.
What happened? Where did we go wrong? It started with Mom being nervous, putting my harness on inside out, upside down, backwards, and finally correctly. Her fear was I would mess up my start as I had been doing that a lot lately. She vowed to trust me which is hard to do. She had me lie down, sniff the start article and then it came…”track”. I took off like a rocket. Mom ran behind me. We ran, and ran, and ran, and then I started playing around, sniffin’ here and there, no more speed – Mom knew, we were off, and then the whistle blew. Title forgotten.
Above is my track map. We never thought to ask what to do if we got the whistle, so we just stopped. Finally someone came and told us to go back to the judges who were at the turn I missed. The judges and track layer all said to Mom NEVER run behind your dog, let them pull you. We restarted at the missed turn and I finished my track and found the article no problem.
Afterwards, Mom was kicking herself because it was her fault for running behind me. People had told her she might want to slow me down, but no one ever said never run. It was also my fault for losing the track and then moving on to other scents. Mom will never run behind me again which is a huge lesson to learn. Tracking is really a solitary sport, so we don’t get critique from others often and we now know what can happen. Once consolation to it all was only two of the six dogs passed, so it may have also been the conditions which made things a bit more difficult.
The worst part is not the failing, it’s that we don’t know when we will get a test spot again, and we will have to drive probably 6-8 hours if we get a spot. There are no tests in June, July, or August, so if I don’t do it soon, it will be a long wait. We have two tests we will try for and hope to get in.
If getting a title was easy, every dog would be doing it. We will keep tracking and I will get my title, just not as quickly as I had hoped. We didn’t take many photos since I didn’t title and we didn’t bring a photographer. Thank you to everyone for all the well wishes on Sunday, Mom and I really appreciated them all!
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So sorry you didn’t pass and that their aren’t more tests around close for you. I totally understand the feeling of not passing but you gals will do it and it will be well worth it. Keep up the training and together you will do it!
We know Bailie and Mom will get it, hopefully they will get another chance this spring somewhere.
OH shoots, but, sounds like you learned a lot of important lessons. Don’t worry you’ll get that title before you know it.
If only we knew when we could try again it would help, but hopefully we can get into a test in April somewhere.
Drats but have heart you will get there just keep at it and triumph will be yours. Have a fabulous Friday.
Best wishes Molly
Thanks. When they do get the title, it will be all the more exciting.
Better luck next time. It stinks dat dere aren’t more opportunities to do da test.
We have learned that it is the way it is for most of our sports, so we really have to focus on getting the title when we get the spot.
we know you will track down that title eventually and wach time you try you will learn new things
It is the not knowing when we can test again which is the hard part.
It sounds like it was a good learning experience even if you didn’t pass! Hope you get into another test soon–I know you’ll do even better the second time!
Hopefully they will get another chance this spring.
Bummer, dudette. You and your mom trained so much. Good for you to keep tracking! I had my first kill – a squirrel in my backyard. Happy Spring! XOXO Sparkle the PBGV
OMD! A squirrel! That is amazing as they are so very hard to catch. I have over 20 wabbits on my record, but no squirrels! Congratulations! Mom and Bailie will keep trying and I may start tracking myself here soon. We will see if we have the time.
Still proud of you and mom. You gave it a try and you will pass next time.
They keep on tracking and we just hope they can get a test spot in the next 1-2 months.
So glad you tried now to find the next one…letting bailie pull is a great lesson. Reminded mom of when she learned to water ski and her friends said “let the boat pull you up”. It made all the difference when she suddenly felt that pull and up she went! Have a great Friday!
Now it seems so obvious, but sometimes Mom needs to get hit in the head to realize stuff. Hope they can get another spot somewhere.
What a good experience!! Even though the result wasn’t the best, we just know that you and your Mama will keep practicing and practicing to get even better for the next competition!
Smileys!
Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo
Mom is a lot of things, but not a quitter, and she is not good at failing so it drives her to be better and keep going.
Sounds like a tough test Bailie – sorry you didn’t make it. But seems you got some good pointers and I bet you pass next time!
Bailie and Mom are out tracking again. Practice, practice and hopefully get another test spot in April or May.
It’s always a bummer when you don’t pass, but you both learned some valuable lessons! I always say – if you learned something, you didn’t actually fail. You’ll get ’em next time 🙂
It went from bummed to it’s alright because we learned a lot to crap, how can we find another test and get lucky enough to get a spot.
It’s only going to make the title that much sweeter. You guys are putting in such great work that’s a reward in itself too. Good luck getting spots in one of the next tests.
Right now the best chance is almost in Chicago. I think they are applying to two tests in IL in April, but spots are limited, so it also depends on being lucky enough to win a spot in the draw. Careful…Bailie may just track to your place rather than to the glove she is supposed to find!
Bailie – this may not help but Harley wants you to know as far as he’s concerned, you’re still a winner. Things may look a little gloomy right now, but there will be another test and you will redeem yourself! I have no doubt. Hugs to you from Harley and Jax.
Bailie isn’t too upset about it. Mom and I take our sports very seriously, for Bailie it’s all fun and games and not that important. She would prefer to track boys most likely.
You’ll get it next time. My dogs say they wouldn’t be able to focus on anything if there were wabbits around. Not to mention squirrels! Or, well, they could focus on the wabbits or squirrels, but not on anything else. 😉
Bailie does have a wandering mind/nose. I take things seriously and really work, she is more carefree. Hopefully next time.
Bailie, I was so sure you will get that title… I’m so sorry… I understand the problem of the next test spot, it’s bad when you have to drive far away or if you have to wait for months for the next chance. But I know, next time the title is yours, the whole Grande Nation roots for you :o)
She better get it next time or Mom may go nuts! Bailie is not as serious about her sports as I am, and she needs to get more serious. She is the family wild child.
Aw i’m so sorry you didn’t pass. For what it’s worth, I think you did fantastic, and hey! Someone should have told mom ahead of time not to run!!! Sheesh!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
Mom is like Bailie, she loves speed and she has trouble with detail too sometimes because of speed. They both learned to slow it down and be more careful. They are practicing now at a slower pace, so we will see if they get another chance or have to wait until fall.
Bailee you are only two years old right? You have lots of time to get it right so just be patient, and your mom too! Love Dolly
Bailie will be two in June, so she’s young and full of mischief still. They just keep on tracking and hope to get another test spot.
You did your best Bailie and really, I feel like as long as you learned something from it, it’s a good thing and from the sounds of it you learned a lot.
But can you please tell me how Mom is NOT supposed to run behind you? I’m not sure I completely get that.
She needs to slow Bailie down so she doesn’t blow past the turns or the end article. At her speed, she flew past the turn and when she realized it she was too far away and just found some other fun stuff to sniff. Mom has to hold the leash and let Bailie pull a bit. She can walk fast, but no flying by stuff. It makes total sense actually.
MOWZERS we had nooo idea how tough that is!
You guys could probably do it with mouse scent. It isn’t all that hard, but it isn’t easy either and weather plays a big factor.
As long as you both benefited with new found knowledge, you came out ahead. You will be ready to title the next time. Like you said, “If it was easy everyone would have a title.”
Hopefully they can get another test spot and not have to wait until the fall.
I’m sorry you guys didn’t pass, but you learned valuable lessons for your next opportunity to take the test. We’re keeping our paws & fingers crossed for you to get into a spot rather soon than later.
Yep, the not knowing when is the tough part.
It’s tough if no one gives you tips or pointers ahead of time, that could have saved you some trouble. Especially after you travel all that way. We hope you get another chance soon, and that it isn’t too far so you can sleep at home. We’re sure you’ll get it next time!
They got lots of pointers in class, but class ended the first week of November and since then they have worked on their own and didn’t really know some things they were doing wrong.
Aw, Bailie, you’ve had a rough go of it lately. Hang in there and keep being adorable. One of these days you’re gonna surprise everyone! 🙂
Everyone tells me I’m a bit immature, but I don’t care. I like having fun and don’t care so much about titles and stuff like Mom and Emma do. I will keep on trying.
I can compete;y relate to that! 🙂
Tracking test spots are scarce! We don’t have that many here either and we have just about every dog sport you can name. One of the reasons why I decided on nosework instead.
Actually, last year was the first year MN had ORT’s and a trial. This year it is really picking up with elements trials and NW1 and 2 trials. It is hard to get a spot, still, but the chance is there. We will end up driving a lot for tracking I think, but Bailie really loves it.
Sounds like a good learning experience but I know it’s a bummer to have to wait a long time for the next test. We know you can do it!
Paws crossed they can get a spot in April. We will see.
Hi Y’all!
Oh, I am so sorry you didn’t get your title. So glad the judges gave you and your mom guidance so you could learn. It’s tough if you just get a fail and don’t know why.
Y’all come on by,
Hawk aka BrownDog
No, they were all very helpful and they really wanted everyone to pass, but it was a bad day as most failed. We know a lot more now and hope things go better in the future.
That is too bad, but at least you learned something. It is too bad that you have to travel so far for tests. We have had to do that now and again and it is very hard to get a good rest in a hotel.
If they get a spot this spring it will be 5-8 hrs away, otherwise in the fall there will be a few 3-4 hrs away.
We are proud of you Bailie! It takes a lot to just compete and we know you have the nose for that title.
Mom says I have a nose for trouble for sure, and usually I have a nose for tracking too!
We’re sorry you didn’t get the title this time around…but we’re proud of you and all the hard work training you’ve been doing.
Bailie and Mom are still out there training. It will happen, hopefully next time.
You’ve learnt a lot from it though. I’m sure you’ll do better next time!
Sorry you didn’t pass Bailie, but you and Mom learned some really important things to do next time. I hope you get to try again before summer so go practice the new comments and we are sure you will be great next time:)
We are waiting to hear if she gets a spot in the one test she can make it to.