I’m happy for the opportunity but not for the result. Sunday morning was my first tracking test. It took place on the field behind me, about an hour drive from where we live. Everyone had to get up at 4 am so I could be there on time. They had seven tracks and seven dogs were entered, so I was lucky to get a spot. One dog didn’t come, so there ended up being six tracks.
At eight o’clock the participants draw their track number. Because I was the third name drawn to be in the test, Mom drew my track third. Yay, we got track one. Mom loves to be first so it is over and done with. Unfortunately, it was really done.
I was a bit wild and crazy and Mom had a hard time getting my tracking harness on me. We headed to the start. There is a flag at thirty yards. Up until that flag, you can request a restart. No need, I was tracking. Well, about two yards after the flag I started to play around. The ground was very wet, and there were a ton of great animal smells out there. Normally I am a hard, honest worker but my head was not in the tracking game Sunday morning. Somewhere along the route, we got the dreaded whistle. At the end of the day, you get a map of your track. Mine was 450 yards long with four turns. I survived just over half before I left and took my own new track at 230 yards, turn three.
The tracking board promptly displayed “next time” by my name. Mom was quite disappointed. They let me get back on track and finish and, of course, I ran it perfectly. Now I can join Emma, Bailie, and Olivia as a tracking test fail. Madison is the only one who passed on the first try and she was only eight months old! Who needs that kind of perfection in the family to be held over one’s head? Anyway, I had the opportunity, and one judge who has judged many of my siblings failures gave us some good tips of things to work on. Hopefully we will be able to try again in the spring. TD tests are very hard to find.
We headed back home. Olivia was a real sour puss having to sit in the car all morning for nothing. To my defense I reminded her of all the days I have already spent in the car for her and her nose work trials. I felt bad because I wasn’t my usual honest, hard working self. A title would have been nice. Mom used the drive home to clear her head. The opportunity will hopefully come again and we will succeed at that time. A fail is just an excuse to get to run another track! In case you didn’t figure it out on the board, only two dogs of six passed, so we were not the only ones!
My GBGV Life is happy, so we’re joining Comedy Plus for Happy Tuesday!
At least you tried, Nelson. You will do better next time!
It can only be the same or better, not worse at least.
Everyone has off days so it’s not really a big deal. We know you’ll do much better when the next chance comes around!
Mom wouldn’t mind so much if we could try again, but there is only one test a year around here, so we will have to travel probably.
Nelson omds I am sorry for the less than successful tracking opportunity. But I love your pawsitive attitude in your blog title. Every opportunity offers a chance to learn!!
Hugs Cecilia
Mom did learn a few things and hopefully we will get to try again another time.
Perfection is over rated.
It is nice but not realistic.
I know you’re going to be a superstar. Practice makes perfect. I love your adventures.
Thank you for joining the Happy Tuesday Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous Happy Tuesday. Scritches all around and my best to your wonderful mom. ♥
We will try again next year, hopefully. It’s so hard to find places to practice and tests are almost non-existent.
What a good reflection on your experience. We like when you said a fail is an opportunity to get back on the track. We hope you find a trial nearby and can try again soon. Good effort! your friends Lilly and Chester
Tracking tests are really hard to find, so it won’t be until at least late March that we can try again. Oh well. For now I am working on my sniffing.
That must have been a rough course….but, we’re with you, not passing means you’ll get to do it again!!
xoxo,
Rosy & Sunny
It wasn’t a tough track, but my mind was not on task. Normally I’m all business, but Mom says I was all monkey business!
Well, only 2 out of the 6 passed, so maybe something was in the air! Anyway, you will get it on the next go.
That is actually pretty normal. Madison was the only one to pass her TD out of six, and other ones my sisters have gone to have often had just one or even none.
Wow! Such expressive doggies ~ sweet photos~ Failing is the start of winning ~ Mom and you will rise to the top ~ Xo
Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
We did get some tips from the judge so it was at least something. Still it is disappointing.
Live and learn and do better next time, and I know you will.
We hope we can find a test in the spring, but these tests are very hard to find.
Well…next year is only a few months off!! Maybe another tacking test will get set up near you. And …I do not think yo can get worse than a “next time,” so you have nowhere to go but UP!!
I can only improve, but there is usually only one test a year around here, so we will see what we end up doing.
Sorry you didn’t make it this time but I’m sure it was good practice for you and your mom. Better luck next time.
I wasn’t being my usual hard working self. The smells were more interesting and I just didn’t feel like finding a glove I guess.