Introduction to K-9 Nosework, Week 3

Chandler continues to do very well in nosework class. He seems to be very good at quickly finding which box has the hotdog pieces. In fact, all the dogs did so well on Thursday that the instructor commented on how fast they were progressing.

However, Chandler seems to have gotten his enthusiastic zoom back this week...which means he is once again quite willing to run straight to the nosework course dragging me behind him. I'm conflicted about this. I don't want to interfere with his search or mess up his drive so early during lessons by tugging at him...however, I also don't like allowing him to pull me. I may have to address this later...or perhaps I can work on it while practicing at home.

Run 1
Most notable to me is the sheer briskness with which Chan is moving. He's checking the boxes very quickly, and it is a challenge to both keep up with him and keep out of his way.

Introduction to K-9 Nosework, Week 3, Run 1 from Jean R. on Vimeo.

Run 2

I think Chan overshot the box, checked out the box beyond it, and then realized the scent was wafting from the previous box.

Introduction to K-9 Nosework, Week 3, Run 2 from Jean R. on Vimeo.

Run #3

This is the first instance of Chandler beelining straight toward the correct box.

Introduction to K-9 Nosework, Week 3, Run 3 from Jean R. on Vimeo.

Run #4

I would call this beeline #2, but Chandler made a sudden right turn to get to the correct box. I can only assume he caught the scent and homed in on it.

Introduction to K-9 Nosework, Week 3, Run 4 from Jean R. on Vimeo.

Run #5

We were all sent out of the room for this one, for reasons which are obvious in the video. I didn't even have a chance to say "Search!". The lab almost caught this one, but her owner missed the box and tugged her straight past.

Introduction to K-9 Nosework, Week 3, Run 5 from Jean R. on Vimeo.

Run #6

We were also sent out of the room for this run. Chan had some difficulty here, perhaps because the scent was wafting toward the other box. However, he was diligent about checking all the boxes, including the ones resting on chairs.

Introduction to K-9 Nosework, Week 3, Run 6 from Jean R. on Vimeo.

Overall, it was another good week. Chandler is having a great time, and works very quickly. I need to work on moving quick enough to keep up with him. I need to get better at seeing his subtle signals that communicate that he has found something, so he doesn't need to beat up the boxes with his paws.