Practice Search for Buster again

At Bicentennial Park in Tukwila, we did a short wagon wheel trail after Komu's certification test.  The day was warming up quickly, so I didn't want to have a long trail.  I took a scent article from Buster, and then Buster, Sage, Rita, and Kody walked straight north.  In about 100 yards, they fanned out in several directions, west, north, northeast, and east.  Buster went east, leaving the common trail first.  When Kelsy followed a few minutes later, she overshot Buster's trail.  She looked back, giving her negative signal, but she also went up to the other dogs before going back to where Buster's trail branched off.  Once on Buster's trail again, she followed right up to his hiding place.  The temperature and humidity listed below were a couple hours earlier.  It was much warmer and drier when Kelsy worked.

Practice Search for Buster

This trail was about an hour old, three quarters of a mile long, with several turns and branches.  Kelsy pulled me along at a gallop most of the way.  When the scent trail entered the parking lot, Kelsy followed about thirty feet to the right of the actual scent trail.  The wind seemed to be from the north or northwest.  I notice that the wind is often from a different direction than the weather app says.

Practice search for Chachi in Puyallup.

This was a short, fresh trail. 

This was just positive reinforcement for Kelsy, letting her find Chachi on an easy trail.  The trail wound around several houses, about a quarter of a mile.  Kelsy had no trouble, and she seemed to appreciate an easy find.

Cleo in Discovery Park

Although we set out for Discovery Park at around 4 PM, communication difficulties with the foster of Cleo resulted in our not starting until almost 8 PM.  The trail led us on a loop through the woods, where it is unlikely any person would have gone on purpose, and then the trail dropped over a cliff.  This bluff falls about 250 feet over 500 lateral feet as the land falls toward the beach.  The top is sandy and unstable, and springs pop out of the hillside near the bottom.  I followed Kelsy down.  At the beach, the tide was high, completely covering the beach, leaving no place to search.  It seems Cleo must have gone down the bluff in search of water because the uplands are very dry.  Kelsy performed well, eagerly following a scent trail 24 hours old.  I did not receive any independent confirmation that she was on the right trail.  My sense, based on past experience, is that Kelsy was on the correct trail. 

Practice Search for Joon at Steel Lake

This was a short practice search in Steel Lake Park.  About a quarter mile, one hour old, cool, moist conditions.  At the end, Kelsy bypassed Sage and found Joon hidden behind a car.  Kelsy got her treat, and then she and Komu played fetch as an added reward.  Kelsy had no trouble with any of the trail. 

Practice search for Pete

This was a short and easy practice search to help with Kelsy's motivation.  About a quarter mile, ideal conditions.  She got her treats and played fetch afterward.