The last weekend in October was filled with nose work for Bailie and Madison at Afton Alps. Last week I told you about Bailie earning her NW2 title on Oct. 29, but Madison also competed. The little one tried her first actual trial in an NW1. Mom figured she could title, but mainly wanted to enter as a learning experience.
In an NW1 level trial, there are four searches each with one hide. The searches are all four elements, interiors, exteriors, vehicles, and containers. There are also 45 dogs entered, whereas NW2 has 38, NW3 has 30, and Elite has 20. Madison was dog 15.
A dog can’t even compete in NACSW trials until she is at least a year old. Madison was fourteen months old and had only passed her ORT two weeks before the trial. Nevertheless, Mom wanted to give it a try to see how they work as a team and what they might need to work on. The good news is Madison did actually really work and she tried super hard in each search. In the end, she passed interiors and containers, not vehicles or exteriors, not bad for a first try at her young age. Like Bailie, she is a very social dog and she loved all the cheering and cuddling from friends and volunteers after her searches.
Handler error in reading the dog was the reason there was no title. Mom realized she didn’t understand what Madison was trying to tell her and that led to false calls, twice. On the bright side, lessons were learned that will help not only team hot pink, but purple and red also.
We love the look in Madison’s eyes in this photo. The shot was taken right off the start line in her very first search. Doesn’t she look terrified? Mom says Madison’s eyes look like her stomach usually feels! Remember, humans are 100% at the mercy of their dog to find the hides as they are not visible. It can make for some lonely and helpless feelings if searches are not going well, believe me, we all know!
Madison’s container search was awesome. It was her first trial yet she had the fastest search of my sisters and me in all the NW trials we have been in for all elements. Even so, she was only twenty in fastest time from the 45 dogs with a time of 16 seconds. Mom loves this search and we are super proud she did so well!
We think Madison has a bright future ahead. There is a slim chance she may get into an elements trial in December, but most likely, she is done with trials until March. Way to go little one!
Thank you to Caprise Adams for taking such awesome still photos of Mom and Madison at the trial. We have purchased these photos for our own personal use.
Well done Madison!
She did great and we have no doubt her next try will be successful.
it’s great to watch you and we are always surprised that there is no distraction for a nosework pro like you… I mean that bucket looked interesting and I couldn’t pass it without looking what’s inside ;o)
Madison is a worker like me. She totally understands when she is working vs. when she is doing whatever she feels like. Bailie, she would check out the bucket as she isn’t as serious.
Very proud of you. Job well done
We are super proud of where she is at for her age and not having done nose work for very long.
Great work! I’m glad that things went so well and everyone learned so much!
It was a great weekend overall, and one thing Mom learned with Madison probably helped in Bailie getting her title.
Great job little Madison and we are sure you will be ready to get your title next Spring!
xoxo,
Jakey, Arty & Rosy
We are bummed she doesn’t have any trial opportunities coming up, but winter is slow because of the weather around here.
Way to go pretty Madison, you have a bright future, I just nose it!
You nose correctly!
Way to be awesome, Madison! I love that last photo of y’all!
She was super awesome and had so much fun. A great day for both Mom and Madison.
Great job Madison !! You will catch up to your sisters soon!
I’m starting to shake in my furs a bit as Bailie may actually surpass me next year if I don’t get myself going!
Nice job, Madison!! I love that your Mom uses each trial as a learning experience, and takes something away even if all doesn’t go as hoped.
Working in a trial provides learning you can’t get anywhere else, but also volunteering and watching others trial is so helpful.
Well done! especially for a first try. the
nose knows!!!
She did a great job for a really new dog!
way to go Madison, nice job for your first trial.
She had so much fun but it looks like she will have to wait for another try.
That’s quite remarkable for her being so young. Well done.
She’s pretty good at applying herself to tasks and she enjoys the hunt so much.
Loved seeing the Belgium Malinois listed. Brought back fond memories of my mum’s dog Brunei.
Lots of those in nose work.
Way to go Madison! What fun that you can compete now and you even passed a couple of the categories. That container search was so fast 🙂
She did awesome for being so young and only on odor for about six months. We look forward to seeing her advance and grow in our favorite sport!
Good job Madison! You got in there and new exactly what to do and look for. For being such a young girl you are off to a terrific start.
We think she has a pretty bright future in nose work.