Team Fogell Tracking

I had three items to work on from tracking class.  After a week and a half of success building our tracking sequence in micro pieces, I, of course, lost my mind and immediately added ALL items to the next track I set up for Fogell (Handler Fail #1).   Monday Track 1- place article at start, 20 yard track curving right around large cedar - 6 feet from cedar, make switch from collar to harness at start flag.   I start Fogell on the track.  He's a little concerned that article is at start.  I put a treat on the article, change line to harness, pick up article and tell him "ok" before I had completely stood up (Handler Fail #2).  Fogell heard his release word and started like a bullet off to the left.  I shifted left (Handler Fail #3), realized my mistake and thought "Oh no" (Handler Fail #4), looked over at cedar to gauge how off I was while holding the line firm.  Fogell pops against line and drops to the ground a dejected ball of fluff (H...

In preparation to take Fogell to tracking class Saturday, I spent some time Black Friday setting up a straight track into the wind - but added a new variable - driving him in my truck to the start.  I wanted to go through the full sequence.  Getting out of the truck, getting harnessed on his cot (his safe place), and the tracking sequence.  He was not fooled at all.  He knew he did not leave farm and all went smoothly.    Black Friday Video - 3 articles, food in every step (and one giant spill after second article- oops) That should have given me confidence - but, instead, I found something else to worry about.  I spent the whole night worried I had never crated him in my truck.  For other dog classes and outings, we drive together then go into a building or hike a trail.  He has never had any time alone in my truck.   Saturday morning, I load up my gear and Fogell and head to Cool Water.  As we turned onto the gravel drive t...

I spent the last week and a half trying to break down the individual pieces of a baby track and build fun/acceptance into a new routine. I will admit I was blindsided by Fogell's meltdowns when I first attempted small tracks on the farm. Then, I realized for an anxiety dog- I made many small changes to his normal farm life  Although he wears a leash and harness to Rally and Agility classes, I never put them on at home I never walk close directly behind him.   I have only offered him water in a crate or in the house never on a leash walking about (and the water bottle makes some weird sounds for a noise sensitive dog). Add in. . .he always seems to get nervous when I am learning and trying to remember all the steps I need to take (this happened in the beginning of Rally too). . . and Boom. . . we have an absolutely overwhelmed Fogell.  There is no food high value enough when we get to this stage.   After a week and a half of playing different games to ad...

I had signed up Fogell, my cattle dog mix that struggles with anxiety, for the tracking class. Unfortunately, starting with running full throttle into a T-Post the day before first class (he was looking up chasing vultures), we have struggled with bad luck and nerves.  The impact of the crash gashed his muzzle and chipped a tooth.  Not wanting him to associate any pain from crash with new activity, I went to first day training without him.  Actually, glad I did as I got a lot of instruction and insight without worrying about Fogell. Came home inspired, but Fogell took a few days to even relax to go on his normal farm walks.  I started article games and had some success.  When I tried baby track, he quickly got overwhelmed.  I honestly believe he gets stressed when I am working on new to me things.  As I try to remember all the points and perform them correctly, I must emit some sort of tension that he is sensitive to as this seems to be common denomina...