Mantrailing - Pongo's new game!

[Rosie]

@Charlie The trainers I went with have a facebook page where they post photos of every session. There is always a special category for the "outtakes"....the noteworthy tree-wraps, tangles and face-plants. I fully expect to feature heavily in those.

 

[Beanwood]

The other nice thing about it is that dogs go at their own pace, so no risk of injury or strain - and even seniors who can't quite take agility or flyball anymore can still do it. As long as their hoomans can keep up!

I am liking right until this bit.....hmmm I think Bramble would be excellent and love it...not sure I could keep up! Actually...Casper might find this stimulating in a positive way

 

[Rosie]

I am liking right until this bit.....hmmm I think Bramble would be excellent and love it...not sure I could keep up! Actually...Casper might find this stimulating in a positive way

Ha - you'd be fine because YOUR puppies are well-mannered enough to wait for you! Some of us....well, not so much.....PONGOOOOOOSTOPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Boogie]

I’ve booked.

Tatze has joined the Mantrailing club

I’ve ordered a Perfect Fit harness - it has to be kept only for the sessions.

It’s the first time I’ve ever had to fill in a form about her temperament. I’m so used to discussing and writing about the pups it seemed odd that someone wanted to know about Tatze! (Boisterous and friendly - of course lol)

I’m excited!

 

[HAH]

Hooray!! This is really exciting @Boogie, I can’t wait to hear about it. And how cool that you and Tatze are getting to do something just the two of you

 

[Boogie]

Biothane long line ordered!

Hooray!! This is really exciting @Boogie, I can’t wait to hear about it. And how cool that you and Tatze are getting to do something just the two of you

Yes - I’m super excited. When I got Tatze I wanted to do gundog/retriever training with her, but a couple of sessions showed she had no interest. She doesn’t even look at Zaba’s ball, her interest in chasing a ball or anything else is zero. But she’s a whizz with her nose!

.

 

[Selina27]

I’m excited!

Me too! I can't wait to hear about it, how lovely for Tatze to be having her own project

It's definitely something I'd consider with Cass, she too is amazing with her nose, but my resources are limited, so it's gundog training for now. I'm very tempted to give it a go at some stage.

 

[Boogie]

@Rosie - how do they use the food? It says ‘wet dog food’ would be good, but do we give it by hand?

Would my smelly fishy cat food pouches be good? I use them for recall - but no way is the food for feeding by hand lol
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[snowbunny]

This is the sort of thing I'd love to do with Willow, too. She has the best nose ever, she's truly remarkable. I shall live vicariously through all your training. And videos/photos. @Rosie, you know the rules.

 

[Rosie]

@Rosie - how do they use the food? It says ‘wet dog food’ would be good, but do we give it by hand?

Would my smelly fishy cat food pouches be good? I use them for recall - but no way is the food for feeding by hand lol
.

If it's done the same as ours, then you will be asked to bring along two small Tupperware boxes (pocket sized). Each time the dog works, he does two searches. At the end of the first search, the reward is a small amount of VERY HIGH VALUE treat in one box; at the end of the second search the reward is a larger amount of VERY HIGH VALUE treat. So you don't need to feed "by hand", just open the box and let him take the reward. You re-fill the boxes at the end of each run - in our intro session each dog did four runs.
Some people had just one box, with a small amount of squidgy treat on the lid and a bigger amount in the box itself - so dog gets to lick the lid at end of first search, then box at end of second.
I would think you could use the food pouches to squidge treats out like that!
Bear in mind it will be someone else, not you, doling out your rewards - you will be trailing behind your dog, it is the person who is hiding that does the rewarding...!

 

[Boogie]

If it's done the same as ours, then you will be asked to bring along two small Tupperware boxes (pocket sized). Each time the dog works, he does two searches. At the end of the first search, the reward is a small amount of VERY HIGH VALUE

Thanks, that makes sense

Sounds like the cat food pouches will be just the thing.
.

 

[Boogie]

I’ve been reading Preston Scent Dogs (where we are booked for our lesson) and they are using the dogs to search for missing dogs.

What a lovely idea!

 

[Boogie]

Here I am - all ready for Saturday!

 

[Ashley]

Spencer is like "am I going on Saturday too?"

 

[Boogie]

Spencer is like "am I going on Saturday too?"

Hehe - nope, this time Tatze is centre stage for a change
.

 

[Rosie]

Oh Tatze, you look very smart! Hope you have as much fun as Pongo did.
Mags, have you been asked to bring a scent item too...? In other words, are you ready to play being the "runner"? (That was almost as much fun as trailing Pongo)

 

[Selina27]

What a lovely colour, Tatze looks grand. Very exciting, I'm looking forward to hear how it goes.

 

[snowbunny]

Very excited for you, Mags! We all expect a detailed write-up

 

[Joy]

Yes, definitely want to hear all about it!

 

[Boogie]

Oh Tatze, you look very smart! Hope you have as much fun as Pongo did.
Mags, have you been asked to bring a scent item too...? In other words, are you ready to play being the "runner"? (That was almost as much fun as trailing Pongo)

Yes!