Our hotel had awesome accommodations for the dogs and for us there was an indoor pool, hot tub, and local seafood restaurants. We were able to spend non-trial time exploring the local neighborhoods and sitting in the hot tub after a rainy day of being outside. We saved three baby turtles from the hotel parking lot, avoided a snake, spotted a bullfrog, watched soaring eagles, and played with the dogs. This was a great weekend, only topped by the Sharks & Wolves Birthday celebration a few years back.
Both days of trailing were held in the same location and turned out to be very similar. Saturday started with pouring rain and ended with sun. Sunday began with extreme wind and ended with a breeze. I was glad for the times when our practice sessions turned soggy, but the coordinators were kind and began both mornings with indoor searches. This gave us the afternoon to deal with mud and light wind. Whatever was planned turned into the running order of Interiors, Containers, Exteriors, and Vehicles for both days. The only difference between the mornings was that Torch started with Interiors and Niven searched Containers first.
Having two dogs entered for the weekend meant I had time to loosen up. I was glad the NW1 was scheduled for Saturday because I have experience from three dogs. I have never trialed in an NW2 and was able to focus on increased level of difficulty and the dog, not the over all environment. I am sure if in the future I were to volunteer on the off day it would serve as the same benefit and look forward to finally being able to do so. It would be cool to watch other dogs compete while the human settled in to learn the mechanics of running an advanced element.
I realize most people entering Nosework trials may have one or two dogs, but I have the rare experience of having four. When I make a handling mistake or work through an issue with one dog, I can immediately transfer this to the others. In the four years I have been involved with training, I have learned at an increased rate and am very fortunate to have partners that are willing to find fast hides. Having the opportunity to run both an NW1 and NW2 on the same weekend did so much for me and I am very happy to have that experience.
Making a handling error on Torch's first element gave me an entire day of relaxed searches. I had nothing to lose and 'tomorrow' to still look forward to. I was not bound by nerves or spending the day in the parking lot worried about how we would do. It did not matter. We were running each element for pure fun and experience. Torch was searching just as fast as Niven normally does in practice and that was awesome to see emerge. The next morning, when extreme wind threaten any hope of titling with Niven, I decided to train and not trial. I had the confidence of the day before and Niven was more focused then normal.
Between Torch and Niven, I had the best searches ever. On two separate days we were a dog and handler team and not independent search participants. After the NW1 afternoon awards ceremony, I was thrilled to find Torch received three Pronounced designations. I made the decision that my goal for the following day would be to duplicate that feel and go for more. Not worried about time, but about taking it to make sure any inaccessible hides were drilled down into, I was shocked Niven placed second in Overall Searches and won the Exterior search, duplicated in form from her NW1 trial. Nothing could top the NW2 Pronounced title that was awarded for the effort.
This weekend gave me more experience as a handler, but more importantly perspective. Judges are not awarding Pronounced designations to a five second search, but in the how the team moves around it. I have Tarot entered in a upcoming trial and although we have that speed issue that elongates every search, I want to focus on my own confidence while she works.
Interior Searches
Torch - NW1
During the walk-thru, I did not get a great feeling about this search. It was one room, large, wood, camp bunk structure. The heavy musty smell reminded me of the environments where we failed the Anise ORT and previous NW1 Container search.
We entered the room with Torch focused on the task, taking him off lead to go over the threshold and begin the search. He moved confidently around the room and objects while I stood near the wall to let him work. What bothered me was his immediate pattern of searching the perimeter, circling counter clockwise a few times. Normally this behavior comes out when he has absolutely nothing and is trying to locate anything. No matter what he did to help himself, odor was not locked on to. Torch did pass the stool where the hide was twice without any indication it was there, but spent more time around the table and chairs.
Torch finally decided to explore outside of the area and I called him back to put him on lead. Here is where I made the handling mistakes and where this is a complete handling fault that cost the little dude his title.
a) When off lead, I walked along the door/bar wall, but never crossed to the chair wall. I know better since I had problems with Tarot not too long ago on a practice class hide where none of the dogs did well. Once we crossed the room and stood elsewhere, each dog immediately found it. This might have been the case for Torch, but is now a lost opportunity to explore in option.
b) When on lead, I planned to search all objects, but Torch remained with the table and chairs. He seemed to not take any interest in the stool or chair, so I was afraid to 'waste' time there. Next time, I will waste it if it helps the dog.
c) Broken rule in handling, when the dogs shows nothing, reverse the course. We spent two minutes circling in the same direction, never once turning around and searching in a clockwise direction. I believe this was lost on me at the time because I was letting Torch lead and he remained near, under, or around the table.
Finally a very weak alert was indicated on the arm of a chair and I called the Alert. I received the dreaded 'no' because bad handler, but the good dog was taken to the hide and given half a hot dog.
When brought over to the stool, there was no light bulb moment that said Torch picked up scent. Instead he munched the hot dog without understanding why. When looking at the three times where we have had issues/failures, it is the musty environment and not the effects of sliding odor on linoleum flooring hindering the search. That note is now deep in my head.
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| Torch's Search - Not perfect as I cannot remember everything |
Niven - NW2
A new level means there is an increase in challenges, the Interior search being one of the obvious. There are two rooms to search, but we are given the number of hides placed in each. For Room 1 there was one hide and for Room 2 there were two. The space within the room had an open floor, but the walls were cluttered with chest of drawers, beds, and tables. I elected to stay near the threshold for both rooms unless my movement was necessary. I never moved from those two spots and watched my dog search.
Room 1
Niven went straight to the wall with the sliding glass doors. From there she moved back and forth from the couch and bed until finally settling on the slider door track. I almost called the nose pause when it settled on the seem between the glass doors, but decided to keep my mouth shut. In another second or two, Niven started to trail toward a broom leaning on the chest and finally nose stopped on the plastic binding the bristles. I called the Alert, was thrilled to get a 'yes', and remembered to call Finish.
Room 2
Being released from the doorway, Niven moved to the left and immediately searched the plastic object. Like the sliding door track, I waited until she moved around and tried to stick her nose under it before calling the Alert, which was 'yes'. Without wasting time, Niven continued to the corner, turned around, and air trailed around the bed to the chair. I called the Alert, got a 'yes', and called 'finish'.
I am very glad I followed the instinct to not follow Niven into room. Although there would have been space for me in the first area, I would have blocked odor to the second hide in the other room. For once, distance work from running AKC FAST courses came in handy; work independently from me and I will be there with the hot dogs when you catch up.
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| Niven's Search - Not perfect as there was more stuff to sniff |
Container Searches
Torch - NW1
After the Interior search failure, I was set free from the morning nerves and got to spend the day training. Our last NW1 failure came during the last element and I missed having the opportunity to relax and have fun. I had that planned for this search and the others following.
We came into the room and stopped on the threshold, which for once Torch worked. He started forward and pulled to the right, taking me up and around the boxes. After the third box, he broke the pattern and I found myself too close when he turned. I tried to back up and that seemed to put him back to task.
It was slightly maddening to follow along with no show of body language change, realizing the number of boxes remaining to be sniffed were growing smaller. I started to plan a new pattern and as Torch stepped over the last box, he whipped around and alerted in near text book form. I called the Alert, got a 'yes', and everyone laughed. Seemed Torch was not the first dog to wait until the last box to find it.
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| Torch's search - I think I got this right |
Niven - NW2
Level up and you get new objects to search and distractions planted inside. I knew the distractors could be anything, but was under the impression it was mainly simple. While waiting in the parking lot we talked about potential distractions and what we use in practice. Alexa's meatball sandwich and pastrami received wide eyes and laughs. From food stuff to toys, the bottom line is that no matter what it is, the dogs have to find true odor.
The same room used for Torch's search was used for the NW2, so this was familiar for me. The threshold had been relocated, luggage added, and distractors placed. Niven worked the threshold and went up the right side, stopping at the top luggage. I was still behind, but her sudden pause carried me closer then I wanted to be. While trying to step backward, she pulled from the box and seemed to slide or step weird while going over the next piece of luggage.
Back on task Niven went to an ORT box in the corner and stopped. I called the Alert and got a 'yes', but it was a good solid few seconds before someone asked if I were done. I had forgotten to call 'finish' to end time. This search was actually about ten seconds faster, so I have remember to to use that new word.
At the afternoon briefing, my absolute nightmare for Tarot was confirmed. In separate pieces of luggage there was a tennis ball and grilled hot dog. Tarot would not have done this search if there was a ball stuffed inside her ojbects, but it was not an issue for her mother. Niven did however, not indicate for grilled hot dogs which is absolutely, positively the culmination of what we spent six months to a year working through. Not only was this a test to find odor, but the test of an ad hoc troubleshoot solution. We passed on both accounts.
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| Niven's search - Distractions might be wrong |
Exterior Searches
Not having a training facility means I spend a lot of time in parks and strip mall parking lots practicing Exteriors. On both days, Torch and Niven blew me away with their direct and fast searches, rivaling some of those practice sets at home. Both areas were about one hundred feet apart and both were just off a steep Inlet beach front. Stiff wind that moved odor inland offered a huge help to the dogs, but did nothing for handler confidence. I was resolved to it being whatever it was going to be, so I was surprised with their results.
Torch - NW1
Set on the front lawn of the main building, Torch's search was small in size, but promised to be interesting. There were bushes and grass to distract a male dog, three chairs, and a stoned benched area near the building. I did not have to worry about losing if said male dog decided to mark, but I did not want to ruin the area for the dogs still left to run. I never had to worry.
Torch approached the threshold, paused, and immediately moved out ahead to trail along the bush line. He continued outside of the search area, still using the bushes for information. I did not want to waste time so I limited the lead and told him that was as far as he was going. Long grass would capture odor and there was plenty of opportunity for the Corgi to continue. He turned to the left, cut in front of me, and took interest in a concrete block set in the grass a few feet away. It took me seconds to realize this was the hide and not the nose sniffing an object. I called the Alert as Torch looked up and got a 'yes'.
Totally took me by surprise because of all the cool places in this area, the hide was a rock in the grass. For as fast as this went, Torch did not place and I wonder how much quicker the other dogs were.
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| Torch's search - All the cool places and it was a rock |
Niven - NW2
Niven was already working while we approached the threshold and I was not sure how she would handle the stiff wind coming from the Inlet. When I let go of the harness I was not prepared for the run she suddenly went into or the length of ten foot lead spinning out. I started to run before the lead went tight and caught up when Niven stopped at the plastic thingie set in the middle of the open grass area. At first I thought this was sticking odor, but watched as the nose rounded the outside and tried to get under it. I called the Alert, got a 'yes', and stepped in to give her a hot dog treat.
Stepping backward, Nivie continued to sniff the same hide and finally stepped off. I cannot remember which way she moved, but suddenly she was behind me and pulling toward the picnic table. Wasting no time, edges were sniffed and finally Nivie nose stuck on the underside edge of the bench. I called the Alert, got a 'yes', and wondered why it was so quiet. I forgot to call 'finish', which finally I did.
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| Niven's search - had to run to keep up |
Vehicles Searches
I was disappointed to find both days had the same car configuration to search. Like Containers, I was hoping for a different experience to challenge through. Most people do not have two dogs completing on the same weekend so they were not planning for it. The mirrored search did offer insight into how wind moved through the area and what happens when the hide is relocated.
I had already spent each search following both dogs and decided to continue to do so with these searches. It was amazing how the dogs chose to perform the same search pattern twenty-four hours apart and were only two seconds in search time difference. This was cool!
Torch - NW1
The distance from the initial area approach to the threshold was long and I decided not to pause Torch on the threshold line. There was another twenty feet to work and I figured there was plenty of opportunity to get what was needed. With Torch out ahead, we crossed the line and continue to the left of the center car. Passing the passenger door, Torch's determination disappeared and I had good idea the hide was behind us. At the end of the car, he turned right and we quickly passed between the next car, determination appearing as we reached the start end of the cars. He went to the left and became interested on the bumper, flip-turning to start working.
Moving along the right car's bumper he trailed odor over to the middle car. At the license plate, Torch flip-turned and nose point to it. It was awesome to see and when I was sure this was hide, I called the Alert to a 'yes'.
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| Torch's search - Not our fastest - time was 25.70 seconds |
Niven - NW2
I wish I had repeated the walk-up threshold start for Niven, but once released she nearly patterned Torch's search. We moved between the middle and left cars, but instead trailed to a grass patch. From body language, I was sure there was no odor and I let her sniff for a second before drawing back to the vehicles. We continued between the middle and right cars with no change and turned left when reaching the end.
Wrapping around the corner of the right car, Niven reversed herself and came off the car. A large branch laying on the gravel a few feet away became the focus and was immediately went for. I was preparing a retriever 'leave it', but instead the branch served as pooled information and she returned to the car bumper.
On track, we moved along each bumper with Niven picking up pace. Her head dropped low and her body whipped around the left car, nose slamming the hubcap. I could have called the Alert, but sourcing was still in play and I wanted to make sure the hide was not in the well or door seem. It took a second or two to have Niven confirm the hubcap hole and I called the Alert to the final 'yes' and 'finish' to end time.
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| Niven's search - just as quick |
Conclusion
Nosework Level 1
Despite not having the nifty title that goes with the effort put into the day, Torch man worked fast and direct. He found all four element hides to get treats, but I am the one who did not step up and handle the Interior. Gaining that experience is priceless and I hope will help in future searches, especially with Tarot.
It was awesome to see Torch so in-tuned to the environment, working almost to the standard Niven normally works. Of course I am disappointed there was no birthday NW1, but I am not devastated. If it take ten goes at this level, the value for training is equal to the expenses. A second attempt has already shown me Torch is enjoying himself and learning just as fast as I am.
Some of my fellow competitors were vocal about their losses, but I seriously look at this as a learning curve. We train for a long time and then enter a trial, only to immediately pass and end up on the next level. I am fortunate to have multiple level one experiences where I can learn before moving onward. We will get it next time.
Torch was awarded the "P" designation on three searches!!!
Pronounced Containers
Pronounced Exterior
Pronounced Vehicles
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| Torch's NW1 Trial, April 2, 2016 |
While Torch stepped up his performance, Niven did the same. Known for her 'knock the hides out' working style, these searches were more efficient and direct than in four years of practice. I cost us serious time by delaying an Alert until a hide was closely sourced and by forgetting to call an immediate 'Finish'. I cannot cut corners with Niven because of the issues we worked through and can never allow a mediocre indication to be rewarded.
One day I will retire Niven.
First my classmate encouraged the ORTs because I could not give up on her.
Then they said I have to do the NW1 before finding the couch, but there were high placements and they said I had to go on to the NW2.
Now even Mike is encouraging the NW3.
I think I better learn how to call a room 'clear'.
Niven was awarded the "P" designation on all searches and placed!!!
NW2 Pronounced
2nd place Over All Searches
1st place Exterior Search
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| Niven's NW2 Trial, April 03, 2016 |
I wish there was more to critique in the days' performances, but both dogs were smoking hot. Each one threw me for surprises and I loved watching my dogs sniff stuff. I learned a lot, had Mike's company, enjoyed my birthday, had fun with my dogs, and explored a new neighborhood.
It was a good weekend.
Joyce Smuda
www.foxglen.net
