Wow, I'd never thought I would create a new thread for Monty in this section of the forum 
So today we tried something brand new, something I'd never even heard of until a few months back, after stumbling across a session nearby less than a week ago.
I didn't wake up feeling the greatest, streaming cold and broken sleep, but we set off with our chicken in a box to a housing estate in Burbage, Hinckley. It is an excellent place for urban trailing, loads of alleyways, dead ends, corners to hide around, and small open green spaces with various paths leading off.
There were four of us, a really stunning Doberman, a tiny red GR, and a very strong Rottie.
I hid for the Dobie, first of all holding a stone in my hand to mark the start of the scent. I then placed my hand on the floor a couple of times to leave a stronger scent, and when we walked over grass went a bit more slowly to put down a stronger scent. She found me no problem at all.
When it was our go, we did 2 short trails together as it was our first time. First go the hider was just around one corner, the second time a little further away. The trainer didn't really get them super excited about the food at the beginning, but when each dog found the hider and the box of food, because the two other people followed at a distance, all five of us made a big fuss of each dog as soon as they succeeded.
Monty's third trail was the hardest, he made one correct turn, then seemed to get stuck in an open space with a few possible routes. He walked round in a circle, and seemed very unsure for around 20 to 30 seconds. Because I didn't know where the hider was, i couldn't give him any clues, but the trainer just encouraged patience and he did then eventually pick it up, went off around 2 further corners and found his prize. Amazing, in my mind I was assuming he'd lost the scent and thought we would have to stop, but I was completely wrong.
One of the dogs had an interrupted trail, due to a group of dogs being walked nearby, and was given an extra final trail to end on a high note which I thought was good.
Everyone commented what a happy friendly dog Monty was, which really showed through. A couple of the other dogs, although clearly much better trained, had issues with reactivity to other dogs and serious problems with cats, and although they definitely enjoyed doing it, I think Monty beat them in sheer joy at finding his chicken and over the top tail wagging. Although I'm probably biased
The pulling wasn't really an issue in the end, thankfully.
I would go again, in fact there's a session in the same place in 3 weeks. The people were friendly and the trainer excellent, calm and positive. My only feeling is that it is quite expensive, for time actually spent trailing, Monty probably spent only 20 to 25 minutes out of the car, however I can see that it wouldn't work in a bigger group, and it is completely individual with all the attention being on one dog while they are trailing. It completely exhausted him though
I didn't take photos as I had my hands full and it was freezing, however as soon as the photos go up on the facebook group I'll post some of them here.
So today we tried something brand new, something I'd never even heard of until a few months back, after stumbling across a session nearby less than a week ago.
I didn't wake up feeling the greatest, streaming cold and broken sleep, but we set off with our chicken in a box to a housing estate in Burbage, Hinckley. It is an excellent place for urban trailing, loads of alleyways, dead ends, corners to hide around, and small open green spaces with various paths leading off.
There were four of us, a really stunning Doberman, a tiny red GR, and a very strong Rottie.
I hid for the Dobie, first of all holding a stone in my hand to mark the start of the scent. I then placed my hand on the floor a couple of times to leave a stronger scent, and when we walked over grass went a bit more slowly to put down a stronger scent. She found me no problem at all.
When it was our go, we did 2 short trails together as it was our first time. First go the hider was just around one corner, the second time a little further away. The trainer didn't really get them super excited about the food at the beginning, but when each dog found the hider and the box of food, because the two other people followed at a distance, all five of us made a big fuss of each dog as soon as they succeeded.
Monty's third trail was the hardest, he made one correct turn, then seemed to get stuck in an open space with a few possible routes. He walked round in a circle, and seemed very unsure for around 20 to 30 seconds. Because I didn't know where the hider was, i couldn't give him any clues, but the trainer just encouraged patience and he did then eventually pick it up, went off around 2 further corners and found his prize. Amazing, in my mind I was assuming he'd lost the scent and thought we would have to stop, but I was completely wrong.
One of the dogs had an interrupted trail, due to a group of dogs being walked nearby, and was given an extra final trail to end on a high note which I thought was good.
Everyone commented what a happy friendly dog Monty was, which really showed through. A couple of the other dogs, although clearly much better trained, had issues with reactivity to other dogs and serious problems with cats, and although they definitely enjoyed doing it, I think Monty beat them in sheer joy at finding his chicken and over the top tail wagging. Although I'm probably biased
The pulling wasn't really an issue in the end, thankfully.I would go again, in fact there's a session in the same place in 3 weeks. The people were friendly and the trainer excellent, calm and positive. My only feeling is that it is quite expensive, for time actually spent trailing, Monty probably spent only 20 to 25 minutes out of the car, however I can see that it wouldn't work in a bigger group, and it is completely individual with all the attention being on one dog while they are trailing. It completely exhausted him though
I didn't take photos as I had my hands full and it was freezing, however as soon as the photos go up on the facebook group I'll post some of them here.
I didn't buy a new harness but used one that we only use on occasion when his others are too dirty or wet. I was planning on only keeping it for trailing now. Never mind.
