CAUTION: New Handler

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 (Handler Fail #5).  Total implosion, handler and dog, in less than 10 seconds.

I console him and set up simple short straight track to end session.  Fogell goes down the line cautiously and downs well when prompted at article.  I take his equipment off and play with him in the field.

I know I need to be confident and consistent for Fogell so I try to think of ways to more easily see the curve tracks and keep this game fun for Fogell.  Cheese Puffs!!  I will put a cheese puff at the start and every couple of steps - he will love the trail and I can easily see the curve. 

Tuesday

Track 1- set up 20 yard confidence builder straight track with cheese puff at start and every every third step.

I take Fogell up to start and he side eyes the start cheese puff.   It never occurred to me that Fogell may not like cheese puffs and I did not try out the treats at home before (Handler Fail #6).  When Fogell finally decided to try the cheese puff at the start, he was definitely not a fan.  I release him and he goes down the track side eyeing every cheese puff on the track like they are radioactive.  He does down nicely at article when prompted and I gave him his normal treats.

So I decide to look for a good obvious curve to the right and use Fogell's normal treats for Track 2.

Track 2- set up 30 yard curve to right.  I wear my glasses so I can better see treats and support curve.

I take Fogell up to start.  He downs nicely, I give him treat on scent pad, and switch his line to harness.  I stand up and say "Ok" - but everything is blurry as I am not used to wearing progressive lens glasses which shifted as I stood up (Handler Fail #7).  Luckily, I did not hold line, saw him eating a treat, realized he was on the track, and stepped behind him.  Fogell was perfect and downed nicely when prompted at article.  

At this point, I am really beating myself up.  I try to make an even simpler track 3 curve to end the session.   

Track 3- set up 30 yard track.  15 yard track around garden island ( a foot from garden) then ending with straight track (with easily visible double line up).  I don't even have to wear glasses to see this and one foot from garden is like having a handicap rail.   This will be the win I need.  . .

I bring Fogell out.  He goes up to start and downs beautifully, wagging his tail.  I am happy and relieved to see this after all my fails.  I pet him and place a treat on scent pad.  I stand up and tell him ok.  He proceeds beautifully following track.  We get to end and I prompt down for article.  He downs, tail wagging.  I toss some treats, kneel next to him, pet him, offer him water, and go to switch line from harness to collar when I realize. . .I never switched to harness at the start..  What an EPIC HANDLER FAIL . . .and Handler Fail #8 in 2 days.  

Thursday

Luckily, Team Lois & Chris and I had agreed to work together on Thursday.  Chris set up 2 tracks for Fogell.  After a couple rough days, I just wanted straight tracks to minimize MY errors.  The video is the second longer track- treat at start and every 10 yards, into the wind.  I don't like my line handling in this - I was trying out a heavier biothane line my husband had (he was in Schutzhund with a Malinois so this was definitely for heavy pullers- not sensitive Fogell).