It is always a good sign when Sandi loads me in the car in the morning to take me to the barn. Chances are really good that it means when the horses are fed and the barn chores are done, I will get to track! It was a beautiful morning with a blue sky and a little breezy.
We met my BFF Niamh at Rob and Ann's farm - they are great to let us track in their fields anytime we want. They have wheat planted but they leave the back portion unplanted for us, and for our police to train dogs, family cookouts, pumpkin slingings, etc.
My track started in some taller grass, which is hard for me because I love to critter. Sandi did that deliberately as a training exercise. This time of year there aren't too many critters around. I have learned that it pays to track on through this grass to the really really good stuff later on (grasshoppers are fun, but not as much fun as steak). My track crossed a farm road which was dry packed dirt. The scent changes here, but I didn't have any trouble following it across the road to the next article.
After crossing the road we headed across a field passing a camping spot with a fire pit which was very interesting. I had to spend some time checking it out because of the good smells. Then it was time to get back to the business of tracking. There are lots of different scents here - we have tons of deer (and deer poop) and coyotes and field nesting birds, the other groups who train, camp or party here, plus my crittering fun (grasshoppers, etc.) - did I mention that Rob has a wood cutting business here? He has piles of hardwood and equipment here by his wood barn. What I wouldn't give to root around checking out critters in that barn!
I love tracking - there is nothing I would rather do (except eat maybe). Special thanks to Niamh's person Barbara who took my photos. What a lucky dog I am!
Niamh had a great track. She followed her track along the edge of the woods without getting drawn into the woods smells. Her person Barbara is a dog trainer by profession (and President of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers - www.apdt.com) That keeps Niamh very busy!Check out her blog "Setter Tails" at my links section.
