Oh Bunny
Date: February 17, 2026
Track 1
Time Laid: 1:36 pm Time Run: 2:06pm
Temp: 59 degrees Wind: WSW 1 mph Humidity: 53%
Weather: Sunny, no clouds
Goal: Track 1 straight, 80 yard "warm-up" Scuff 5, Walk 6, Treat. and aged 30 minutes
Time Laid: 2:40pm (double laid- rewalked at 3:10pm) Time Run: 3:50pm
Temp: 59 degrees Wind: WSW 1 mph Humidity: 53%
Weather: Sunny, no clouds
Goal: Track 2- 300 yard long track with 1 open angle right turn, walk 15 steps treat x3, then treat every 25 steps
How did tracks feel?
Overall very pleased.
Things the dog did well:
1) No issue with following aged tracks
2) Good unprompted down at end articles
3) Recovered from bunny crossing excitement to finish track well (track 2)
Things like to improve
1) downs at start- needed prompting today
2) my knowledge on what to do when major distraction, like bunny crossing, occurs
3) my line handling (keeping tension on line) and foot work
Next Steps: Practice starts and article tracks
Kelley - you and Fogell looked great! Seeing his enthusiasm and confidence develop is wonderful and I know that must feel so gratifying to you! Both of you were slightly more confident on track 1 - your line handling is coming along beautifully and you did a great job feeding line before stepping away - so nice to see! I think the right amount of line tension will continue to develop as you get more confident in adding pressure to him, which happens as he continues to show confidence on the track - you're on the right path! His energy starting both tracks is exactly what you want to see so if you see that start to fade, take note of it. The down indication at the start article will come along with your practice so I wouldn't belabor the issue at the start, but keep doing what you're doing. After the start, as track 2 progressed, there was just a bit of a slight hesitancy on his part...I'm not sure if it was the rougher cover type or the change in augmentation pattern (great thinking to double lay the track since you removed the scuffing and spread out the food).
ReplyDeleteAnd oh bunny indeed! Even knowing to be on the lookout it startled me :). Can't blame him at all for wanting to give chase and being preoccupied with that wascally wabbit (ww). I'd work on recalls away from tracking though he did return to you quicker than many a dog might. I think in that moment, when he returned, I'd have done some rapid fire treats and as his engagement returned, I'd have treated closer and closer to the ground until the last treat was on the ground, then seen if he'd resume with his nose on the ground (potentially you'd have to toss treats on the track past that distraction area). And, I'd have stayed super close to him until he was well past the area and showing a confident return to tracking. The few times you took a couple of steps back was a good thought - the change there would have been to 'reel in' the line and stay super close, but I liked seeing you problem solving the moment. There were also a couple of steps you took where you were essentially just trying to get him beyond the ww zone, which is also a potential solution in training sessions like this – sometimes as a last resort, you just have to walk them past it quickly and get going again. In short, there are several options and some depend on the context and other factors (I'm sure the other instructors will chime in with other/better ideas). The thing to remember, is in situations like this, the question is...what can I do to (ideally quickly) make the track valuable enough again that my pup will disengage from the other thing that is currently more valuable…and let's face it, chasing that bunny was waaaay more inherently valuable to your dog (and to most dogs) so him even eventually getting his composure back to return to the track once you did get beyond the ww zone was a huge win...some with larger dogs would have been pulled off their feet! I think you and Fogell handled it (and the heart palpitations well), but I do like you thinking along the lines of having some good options to use so that the return to composure and tracking can happen even quicker next time. And the end article and resultant “happy” dog (and person!) for both tracks was just lovely to see!
Thanks Anne for the feedback! The slight hesitancy on track 2 was rougher cover (mowed briar patch).
DeleteI really enjoyed watching that, Kelley! I think your line handling is great and you’ve gotten a lot better at letting him go out first. I also noticed how when he got off a little bit you took a step over to get behind him instead of trying to guide him. And for that rabbit… OMG I think Buster would’ve pulled me off my feet! You handled that very well!
DeleteWell, Anne nailed it! BUT, for track one….while he’s in his down and actively searching for the track right at the start flag—that is so exactly what we are looking for! He knew where the track went before he got up—that is awesome!
ReplyDeleteBunny was quite a distraction—and he went back to work. Well done. I agree with Anne on ways to handle in the future. My only criticism is you! Keep your eyes on your dog, not focused straight ahead. I suspect you were staring, and willing him to go straight (which isn’t a bad plan in this situation)…just make sure it’s not a habit—try to watch HIM not the track.
You two are doing incredibly well! I love, love, love you giving him nice long tracks to settle in and work, and I love even more how well he does that!