We have had a big break from tracking so for this outing I mainly wanted to just get out and track something simple and remind myself of what strategies I need to keep working on. I sort of picked up with things from the last tracking outing (even went to same location).
Two short, young tracks (~30min/ea). I had planned to age them longer, but then I started to get worried that kids would show up for soccer league games plus it was starting to warm up quite a bit w/ the sun coming out (had been overcast till then).
Track 1 (all scuffed, no food)
- started strong (not distracted by dog & person at far end of the field though I could tell she was aware of their presence). Overshot turn w/ a quick loop back to leg 2. Unfortunately 'saw' both the article on leg 1 and the end article.
Track 2 (food+scent pad or article (NF) + scent pad) - start not quite as strong, but the dog & person was more in her line of sight. Still wasn't too distracted by them, more that it pulled at her attention a bit more. Slight distraction at the movable soccer goal, but quick return. Found both the article on the track and the end article w/ nose rather than seeing them. Very strong restart after the article on the track. Some shifting to left due to wind blowing right to left, but w/ quick returns to track.
She definitely needs to rebuild fitness - unfortunately had been too hot for me to start her hardcore fitness walks so I could see her get tired (more from the heat). I need to work back in the reinforcement strategies (like TT at end of track or when she returns to track after difficult/worrisome distractions).
