Hot Track Monday

 This track was laid early morning for Blast, it was a lengthy seven leg track, 4 articles, crosstrack, road crossing.  I knew it was heating up that day, but it was not expected util the afternoon; unfortunately it got hot and humid quite quickly.  He's just moving off the scent pad above.

 We're at the second corner here, I'm just waiting for a strong commitment to the leg from him before I turn.

 And he's off, strong and sure on this leg.There will be an article further on this leg.

 Another corner turned, he's going to find another article shortly.

 We're nearly half way through the track here, he's hot, I'm waiting a bit before continuing on.  He won't take water on the track; it turns into a struggle to get any into him.

 We've made another two turns and have three more to go and an article before we reach the road crossing.  These legs look much the same, so didn't include too much of this track.

 We just crossed the road, hence my line rolled up, and climbing over the bank on the other side.  The final article isn't in too far, glad to be finishing this track.

What a good dog Blast is!  He works his heart out.  I removed his harness and had him lie down for a bit, the grass was damp underneath.  He wanted his tug at the end of the track, but it was too hot to play.  I'm just tossing it up for him to catch it, as he begins to spring upwards. He gets a few days break now, hopefully some wet weather coming in.

Duck at Garden Centre

 This fellow was so tame, I walked past him, within 3 ft. twice, then sat down to take a few pics. of him.  I'm sure he had a mate nearby sitting on eggs, but he was calm, not at all bothered by the people or cars there.

A fellow that worked at the garden centre came by and tossed a little food his way, after making sure no-one else saw him doing it.  I had to laugh, but glad to see someone was 'looking out' for this duck.

Emmas' Urban Track Monday

 We did a short urban track for Emma on Monday.  There was a bunny following me when I walked to start the scent pad; it circled around and popped out in front of me, crossing the track twice.  Emma seemed to 'follow' it's scent a little, but came back to the track with a little urging.

 Bit tough here, leaving grass and crossing a busy driveway to parking area, we cross and go over a brick walk before heading into grass again.

 Emma is doing well here, navigating between bushes, trees and birdfeeders.

 She has crossed another very busy and very wide driveway.  She is about 4' to the left of the track and will shortly edge over that way and pick it up as it moves across the yellow guide and then under a tree where it turns right.

 Tascha and Emma have crossed another driveway/parking area and a large expanse of grass where the first article (wood) was on pine needles.  Emma indicated it fine.  Heading onto another driveway, the MOT turn is just ahead.

The track moves up this driveway for quite some time before her final article.  Emma chose to work the scent alongside the driveway against the grass.  The wind was coming that way (see the flag).  She actually came back out on the driveway before her article and then had to turn back to the grass to find it, having scented it as she went by.  Afraid the pictures there were a total blue as she played with the article.  It was very hot and humid and aged over an hour, so she did very well.

Final Sunday Class Students

 This is Cruiser working along his second leg after making a nice right turn.

 Cruiser is at his article, and Lori is just walking up to him.  Nice work!

 Chimay has just gone past a flag indicating a corner is coming (look for body language!) and she has just found the corner above.

 Nice line handling from Carrie with Chimay, working nicely along the track.

 Article found!  Chimay blends perfectly into the dandelions that have gone to seed.

 Reese works out enthusiastically ahead of Rosemary.  This was an easy one turn track with a longer to follow later laid with multi articles.

 Do you think I could get any pictures of Abbey tracking?  Not in this grass!  Here she is at her article.

 Wet and happy, and wanting more!

 Hunter did a great job on his track.  He is one of the blind dogs and we were all so happy to see how HAPPY he was at the end of his track when he reached his article.  His tail wagged the whole track.

 Hunter has just made a left turn and is so right on his track!

 Rosemary is rewarding him.  So nice to see him do this and have a job that makes him happy!  I think he was the oldest dog as well, estimated between 12 and 15. Special!

Reese at the end of her second track, looking back to see what is keeping Rosemary with her treat.
Unfortunately a couple in this group couldn't make the last class due to being called into work, and one with an injury.  They all progressed really well in only four weeks and I think a few will be continuing to work and interested in possibly entering a fall trial.  Best is having the two blind dogs do something fun and rewarding for them.

Dry, Sparse Veg.on Windy,Hot Day

 I'd have to say this was a "test" track, something I rarely do, but needed to know how Blast would do under difficult conditions.  This field was mainly dead, knocked down growth from two years, with only weeds, mossy areas, and now some brush coming up in it.  It was very, very windy, and hot. He did exceptionally well, slower than normal, which is why I could get some pictures, and he was working all the time.
Above we are on our third leg nearing a turn and he's cut short (with wind) checking out the left side, not far off, and about to turn back.

 He's made the turn and almost back on the track heading for the road crossing.

 He started to gallop a bit here, feeling very confident.  He did check the left on the road, before continuing across. The track goes straight and then makes a right turn over the little rise.

 Went through a large mossy area with no issue, took a cut path slightly to the left, turned and is coming back onto the track.  He's close to a second article, which may have drawn him back.

 And there it is, he's just reached it.  I love the next picture, a lucky shot as I zoomed in.

 He has nudged the article from where it was pushed down and is now licking it.

 We continued on, made an open left turn which eventually took us to the cut path going alongside a fence.  I purposely went this route, to give him a bit of an easier way nearing the end of the track, in case he 'needed' it.

 The path curves to the right (too easy!) so his track continues straight into the lousy growth again with his article further ahead.

He's not great at indications, I asked for a down here, he complied as he's a little hot and tired.  The article is under his right leg.  Nice working track, I was very pleased.
As pooped as I thought he was, as soon as I pulled out his tug toy, he was raring to go again!