The Spaniel Annals

Sometimes accomplishments (or should I say “attainments”?) in dog training take months and even years to come to fruition.  This is especially true in obedience trialing and another sport we’ve been working, tracking.  In a remarkable synchronicity, Reardon has made some big leaps recently in both sports.

In his obedience work, our challenge in getting ready for the next level (called Open) has revolved around his confidence working off leash and away from me.  Working off-leash is required throughout this class, and for Reardon, that leash linked to me was like an umblical cord he’s been afraid to let go.  All I could do was give him experience after experience in different locations to show him it wasn’t a big deal.  Sometimes if he lost attention, got out of position, or was otherwise distracted he would get corrected.  Other times, I helped him.  Often he got a little of both.  I had to read the situation and read him to choose what would work best.  And when he did well, we had a Reardon party!

Over December and early January, we had the opportunity to do a number of fun matches, and over a recent weekend, Reardon performed in two fun matches in two separate locations Saturday and Sunday.  That weekend, all of a sudden his confidence blossomed!  It’s hard to say what turned the corner, but this video shows his tail wagging and his attention on me, even when I asked for additional distractions during the heeling.  We still have some issues to work through–mouthing his dumbbell and slightly inaccurate fronts and finishes–but he’s come a long way in the last few months.  Here’s our video from  that Sunday:

On another very happy day, Reardon certified in tracking.  This means he can now enter AKC tracking tests.  Certification is issued by an AKC tracking judge.  To pass, Reardon had to successfully track the judge’s path, running 480 yards, with 4 turns, and aged for a little over a half hour.   This is a typical TD (Tracking Dog) track, so it’s very similar to what we’ll experience in a test. 

We’ve been working on Reardon’s tracking off and on since he was a puppy, and he’s always enjoyed it.  In this sport too, I’m seeing his confidence level rise.  We’re now waiting to hear if our entry has been accepted for the upcoming tracking test in Bow, WA on March 4th.    There are 12 spots, so we should be able to get in, but if there are more than 12 entries, the club holds a “draw” for the teams who get to run the test.    If we don’t get into this test, there are 3 other spring tracking tests, but they’re in eastern Washington and Eugene.  I hope we can stay closer to home!

Whatever happens with the tests, we have our certification, which is good for a year.  I’m really enjoying the training part of this sport, so I’m beginning to think the test, whenever it is, will simply be a next step in a longer journey.   Way to go, Reardon!