Tracking... part 2.

http://www.fordogtrainers.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2553

So, I ordered a tracking harness for Logan as a birthday gift to myself. It arrived and Logan and I are putting it to work! So, I sent an email to the people I bought it from... asking for leather care tips and added some photos. Next thing I know, they have a custom "weimaraner tracking harness"... Hmm! Logan is FAMOUS! :) It's a wonderful harness and if you need one, I highly recommend it.

Anyway.

Today, Logan's tracking really floored me.

I wanted to lay a quick track to get him on some variable surfaces. So, I go to our normal tracking haunt. I lay a track (in about the same spot Stephanie laid a track for him about 5-6 days ago). I go forward about 70 paces, open turn to the left towards some trees about 90 paces, turn a sharp right go through a bunch of fallen leafs for about 110 paces then a sharp left over a gravel path about 30 paces to more leafs, plant the glove.

I go get Logan, put him at the start, have him scent the article and FIND! Off we go. Beautiful. I forgot flags to remind myself so I'm going off memory as I'm dragged behind this 80lbs weimaraner.... when he suddenly veers to the right about 15 feet. I'm thinking he's casting around verifying the turn to the left (which I figure we are nearing) ... there he finds something in the grass and marks it by picking it up and tossing it around. So I go over not sure what to expect, and I find a glove either Stephanie or I must have dropped 5 - 6 days ago! I realize he's gone off on an aged cross track (although Stephanie is who usually lays his tracks, so I couldn't blame him!) and then MARKED the glove *WOW*!!! I was very, very impressed by this. I give him a cookie, and the original glove (the one he's following, my scent) and FIND again. Off we go, makes the turn beautifully. ... makes the next turn beautifully, casts about in the leaves a bit, makes it out perfectly. Turns on cue... and crosses the gravel without batting a lash and marks the glove on the other side. WHEEE!!! Boy was I gleaming with pride!!!

Such a good, good boy! I am so pleased by his tracking progress it's a wonderful incentive to keep up on it.

Nik is still her normal ball crazy, snuggly self. She's my pocket dog... and wants me to say Hi on her behalf. She says she could out track that big gray dog any day of the week. And I believe her :)

Gone huntin'...

Thanksgiving of 2008 will live in my memory as an unorthodox and wonderful day.

Stephanie and Byron kindly invited Logan and I out for a day of hunting! I couldn't resist such an opportunity. A day with great friends... trudging through nature with dogs... and getting my dog on some live birds! What could be better?

So South we headed and arrived at the release site greeted by about a million other hunters... most of which had been there for a couple of hours already. Needless to say we didn't have an opportunity to actually flush a bird. But, Logan did find a pheasant wing... and he was VERY proud of that!

The dogs went for a good 4.5 hrs in the cold, drizzly weather doing their best to round of a living creature. However it was not for naught, Logan got used to gun fire (he was obsessed with the gun) and working away from me. He followed the lead of the senior dogs and did smashingly well!

The next day Stephanie decided to go for a hike followed by our longest tracks yet. 400+ yards on unfamiliar terrain. He took about 10 minutes to finish his line, it had been aged about 20 min. by the point we got on it. Olivia did hers in about 7 min, she's a fast little girl! We have great dogs!

Pictures will follow!

Settling in

Logan and Nik are settling in quite well. When I took them for a walk around our area last night (which i don't usually do. We usually go to the park.) When we got close they both started pulling to get home and ran in the house happily. It makes me happy that they are feeling more at home here.

He also had his first weekend out as a Special. Sadly we didn't do as well as I had hoped. But he was 2nd both days to two different dogs. So, at least he's consistently in the running. The first day a lovely puppy took BOB after the judge pulled him up next to Logan. Going back and forth for nail biting excitement. I thought my heart would beat out of my chest.

After the show was done Saturday we went for a long hike with Dev, his visiting Aunty and Olivia, Stella and Nina. Oh, and of course Nikki our best buddy. Much fun was had by all.

Sunday the judge also went back and forth giving Logan Best of Opposite Sex. After the show we took Logan and Dev for a swim and some play time. They were both pooped after their long day.