Fun Run!

I had been boarding Jager for a short stay,the hounds were getting restless and it was a weekend so, we headed on out to let the dogs loose. Pretty much just having some fun this day, but always make time for some real dirty work too!

After the dogs had their fill of searching the place over we laid down some blood tracks to put each dog on. Lola got her chance first, blood is a new thing for her, we have not done alot with her yet and are working her into it more now. It is always neat to see the interest spark in a new dog. The way they desire to find whats at the end and how they get there. Each dog has its own style and the handler needs to watch his dog,feel his dog and learn to read his dog. It is not an easy thing to do or get accustomed to. Trying to follow a high drive dog through the trees and brush with a 30 foot lead dragging at your feet while watching your dog and the track ahead. Teaching the dog to not wander off track or not go too fast on the track and so so forth. From the beginning of the track it feels like a jumbled mess the first few times but, eventually it becomes natural to both dog and handler.

Lola did well on her track, slow but focused, self correcting when realizing she was off track. Desire to follow and find the prize at the end. She seems to understand the concept and works hard to reach the goal. Her desire to please and desire to hunt go hand in hand. You really cant ask for a better combination for a hunting companion. Slow and methodical with Zac in tow, we get to the end,Lola is lavished with praise and a little food reward and hangs out until we are ready to do the next dog. She is getting the hang of it indeed and we will be making each track longer,harder and older as she progresses. Good Girl!!

Hessian had his turn next on a long track with half the normal amount of blood. He is slowing down now and focusing on the track more. I am getting to know him better and read him better. The collar and lead I use seems to be helping me feel his movement when I am looking at the ground for sign of blood. I remember when I hardly had the chance to look for blood because he was pulling me so hard and fast I didn't stand a chance! We jumped a rabbit during the track and Hess was hot on its scent, I reminded him we were looking for blood and to my amazement he went back to looking for the blood. Back on track and successfully to the end. Good Boy!

Next up was Jager and boy is he ready! Always ready for action of any kind, Jager is like following a freight train through a crowded mall most the time. Taking out everything in his path to find the prize. But this was different.....he was curious,intrigued, and excited at the same time. He followed the track well, slow and trying to figure out what the new smell was and where it was leading. Amazing how different he was on blood, it just blows me away. It was a long track with not much blood and he did well. He lost focus a time or two and i would have to spark his interest in the track again. Once he would smell the blood again, with atta boys from me, he continued along to the end. It was nice to follow a slower dog through the trees and brush no doubt. Not fumbling with or tripping over the lead, and being able to actually see the blood was awesome. Now it's time to make the next track harder! Good Boy!!