Team Fogell Tracking

 I did not truly appreciate color until I took an acrylic painting class a few years ago.  Now this tracking journey is making me pay attention to something I never really have before- wind.    Wednesday After the snow had melted (2pm, 70% humidity), I decided to restart Fogell on a straight, approx. 30 yard  track into the wind with food every 5th step.  I determined the wind was SSW then looked at various weather apps which confirmed- SSW 11mph.   By the short amount of time I laid the track to getting Fogell (5 minutes), I noticed the wind seemed to have shifted and strengthened.  Fogell followed my footsteps to the track so I thought OK to continue.  He saw the start flag and eagerly went to it and downed.   At that point, I could feel the wind against my left ear, not against my face. Fogell was eager to start so I released him.  He immediately went right of the track.  I held the line firm and he bounced back to...

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...