The last weekend in February, Mom, Bailie, Madison, and their driver/nanny hit the road to Appleton, WI for nose work elements trials! Bailie got her L1V Title last April and wanted to get a couple more. It is about a five hour drive with a stop or two, each way. Madison went along to experience her first road trip, and to learn what it is like at a nose work trial. Stay tuned, Madison starts nose work class on March 7th!
A blizzard hit the area the day before they left, but luckily by the time they were on the road, things were pretty much cleared up! On the way over, they made one potty stop at a park around the half way point, and then headed straight for their accommodations. The hotel of choice was once again a La Quinta, where dogs stay free! Madison was the perfect traveler, and slept almost the entire ride.
Once in the room, Bailie and Madison had to check out the bed. Mom traded in the king for two doubles since she had to bring a friend along to drive because of her broken ankle. It was pretty tight for my sisters and Mom in the double bed, but they did manage to get some rest.
Their room was a nice sized suite which had a small living room on one end. Bailie wanted to hang out on the couch and watch some TV before bed, but Madison insisted on changing the channel. There was a bit of a scuffle over the remote, I heard.
Bailie was tired on Sunday morning and didn’t want to get up to go do nose work. She is a good nose work dog, but she doesn’t love it like I do. If it had been a tracking test, you can bet she would have been up and running at the clank of dawn!
The elements trials were at the Globe University, just down the road from the hotel. Madison stayed at the hotel with our friend during the morning Level 1 Container trial. When Mom and Bailie first left, she cried and howled like crazy, but after going out for a walk, Madison settled down and spent the rest of the morning hanging out and taking another walk.
Because it was a winter trial, crating inside was an option. Bailie had her folding crate along to hang out in. The container trial consisted of four container searches. To title, she had to find the one birch hide in each search. Unfortunately, the third search was in a cat exam room and Bailie was far to distracted by all the smells. Mom also hit the metal cages with her boot cast which made a super loud noise that sent Bailie running for the door. Bailie ran out of time and couldn’t stay on task. Since she passed three of the four searches, she earned a leg. In her next container trial, she only needs to pass three of four again to get her Level 1 Container Title.
The trial host had a raffle, and the drawing was held after the first two Level 1 Interior trial searches in the afternoon. Mom entered to win the nose work dog cookies for our friend who was watching me back at home. Bailie did a good job and passed her first two interior searches in the afternoon, and then the drawing was held. Mom was so thrilled, she actually won the cookies! She never wins anything, so it was extra fun!
Bailie was able to pass the second set of interior searches as well, which earned her the Level 1 Interior Title! Both Mom and Bailie were pretty excited! Overall, they did great, and all that with Mom’s broken ankle! Taking road trips for trials is not cheap with the entry fees, gas, hotel, and food, so it is nice when you can bring home some kind of a title for all the trouble! Hopefully Bailie can finish up containers at a trial in May if she can get a spot!
What about me? I had a good time relaxing at home and my sitter took good care of me! It was better than sitting in the car for nothing for two days! Bailie got a goodie box when she checked in for her trials. It was full of treats for dogs, a few things for humans, and this magnet she gave me. I guess I will put it on my side of the car. At least she gave me something!
Great job Bailie , Joy, and cheerleader Madison!
It was a fun quick trip.
Emma, you write a great blog! Bailie had a great, nosey weekend. It sounds like everyone had the best weekend that could be had under the unfavorable conditions…well. except for you, Emma, you had no unfortunate conditions. XOXO, Sparkle
No, I was in the comfort of my own home, paws up, enjoying my walks and meals in peace!
Horray for Bailie! Congrats to her.
She did not make it easy for Mom, but she got most of the job done.
I was wondering who was taking care of you. A little people involved in this weekend. You all deserve a round of applause especially Bailie.
With Mom’s broken paw, we have had to get help from others to keep doing what we want to do. It all works out, and people really do like to help. We are thankful.
Great post, Emma. Your sisters did a good job! Did you like being an only dog back home? Sometimes I like being an only dog. your doodle friend Dash
Mom says I should be an only dog as I really just want to hang out with my mom and don’t really care much for having my sisters around. Katie and I were tight and we hung out together all the time which was nice, but my sisters cannot take her place ever, so I prefer to keep more to myself. Mom knows, so she does special stuff with me alone, and the other two do stuff together. It makes us all happy.
congrats Bailie!!! and your momma is a trooper to do a test with her broken paw…. and you really won the cookies? oh my that’s just pawsome!!!
Mom really won the cookies, and then she had the nerve to give them to my sitter! Really! Sometimes I wonder about my mom’s mind!
oh no….. why? oh why?
Congrats Bailie, we are all very proud of you!!!
Thank you. She deserves some titles!
We are so proud of Bailie! Thank you for allowing us to cover it on BFTB NETWoof sports today. ♥
Bailie is super proud! Thanks for covering it!
Go Bailie!! Congrats on a job very well done!!
Smileys!
Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo
She was pretty happy with her outcome. Hopefully she can finish up the container title in May.
Congratulations to Bailie and Mom! It’s so nice that your Mom had a friend who could go with her and help her. It sounds like they had a nice little road trip that was mostly successful (that little mishap sounded unavoidable – it can’t be easy to be graceful with a big cast on your foot)! It seems good that Madison could go along too so she can start to get used to the nose work life.
It was a fun 2 day trip for all of them. Madison is just such an awesome little puppy. She hung out in the car on the 5 hour drive each way, and during the afternoon trial and never said a peep. She even spent half the day in the car with me at my mock trial yesterday and was an angel. She is ready to get her nose work career going I think!
Sounds like everyone did great. Even without you there to supervise. 🙂
I like to go to my trials alone, so Bailie can go to hers alone or with Madison as she likes. Why should I waste my time sitting in the car for her?
What an exciting adventure. Anything that starts with a road trip is fine in my book. I love your new magnet and of course your mom’s prize basket. Congratulations to Bailie for a job well done. And to your mom for keeping up with her!
Love and licks,
Cupcake
Gimpy is getting faster and faster with the boot. It must be about time to lose it! It was a fun two day trip for everyone.
Congrats all the way ’round! Those look like some suer yummy cookies.
Thank you. We were happy to give them away because they are too cute to eat!
Congrats Bailie what a great job you did. You were in my neck of the woods, I’m about 1.15 hr from Appleton. Glad you had a safe trip good trial and a friend to go with.
Interesting! We haven’t been to that part of WI before. It was a nice town from what we saw of it. If we go back one day, we will let you know!
Nice work, Bailie! Glad the weather didn’t slow you down. Also, didn’t know the La Quinta Inn is dog friendly – good to know!
LQ is always dog friendly, and there is no charge for pets either. Normally 2 is the limit, but each one may be different.
Great job, Ladies! And sweet of Bailie to share her goodies with you, Emma. I bet you got in some nice, relaxing naps at home. ?
I really enjoyed being home with all the peace and quiet and my own personal assistant to attend to my needs.
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Congrats to Bailie! She and Madison look pretty comfy on that bed. And congrats to your mom on winning the raffle. Those treats look fabulous!
They all had a pretty good two days!
Sounds like fun! I love those cookies too! Haven’t stayed in a LaQuinta Inn – do you like it Emma?
We like Drury Inns a lot, but they are only in a few states. LQ can be real nice or a bit outdated, but pets stay free and they are all over which helps us out a lot. Not usually 5 star, but not bad, kind of middle of the road places.
Congratulations Bailie! It’s hard to test on the road. The cookies are adorable. Such a cool idea. We have stayed at La Quninta before. Very pet friendly. Unfortunately there are none near hunt tests. I always check for them but I guess our tests are too far in the boonies.
Our tracking tests have the same issue.