Some of Bodhi's tracking sessions (with diagrams). I am using this in hopes i can troubleshoot our issues now and in the future (plus give the opportunity for others to do the same). More eyes - better.

OK, there was a chicken bone on the track (how did I miss that!) and I had to pull it out of his mouth (you can sort of see that wrestling on leg 2. How was he to know it wasn't part of the reward. I also forgot (again?) that he fasted on Thursday so would be extra hungry on Friday AM so feed him some food prior to tracking. He was a bit speedy / frantic on the 1st leg and slowed (funny after the chicken bone experience). Sigh. Otherwise corners felt better and he was on track and slowed nicely so I could have the leash out at some places (perhaps off tape - I only got on tape 2 1/2 legs) 6 feet.

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bodhi and I doing tracks #1 & #2 (see above)- June 1, 2007

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I stayed further away from him - 6 feet back. Stopped short of corners without crowding him and waited for him to find the track. He was more successful this way. He didn't over shoot any corners which tells me that stopping short of a corner myself and not moving will work better for him instead of getting in closer. Can't overshoot if he can not overshoot! He only became frantic where the crows ate all his food and did this for about 20 paces he was 'looking for a corner' it appeared when he couldn't find food. At the end I placed his ball, took off his harness and tossed it. (i tried a new harness - Bottcher Harness because it keeps the leash evenly under his belly - it also keeps the head down although that is not at all a problem for him as you can see) That worked to 'finish' the track so he knew it was done. Nice work.

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bodhi and I doing tracks #1 (see above)- June 14, 2007

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It has been a while since video taping his tracking. We are at Knowland Open Space in the video with lots of cross tracks, some high grasses, low brush, dead grasses, and various other issues. The terrain is varied and the one time he was 'lost' and had to reset was where he hit a track that someone else walked over mine. He did well! This variety is making is more monochrome tracking (in dirt) go better. I just need to work on ARTICLES!

...click on image to see video in a new window...