Helix May 15, 15 minutes
We are on a soccer field which started out nice and grassy but in the middle switched to mostly dirt then back to grass. I am at about 5 feet back. We are doing 5 scuff steps then 10-15 walking steps, cookies, 10-15 walking steps and then scuff again. I made the turns 5 scuff steps then a 120 degree angle with 5 scuff steps then 5 scuff steps in the new direction. He figured out the 2 left turns but the right turn was difficult for him. I am not sure he even gets the concept that there is a turn? Or his brain is not catching up to his nose and movement? Ideas? Thanks!
NICE!!! He actually downed on the article before you cued it! I just love his enthusiasm. As far as the turns go, I think he’s fine. Let’s try progressing a little bit—when he offers loss of scent (which he is doing nicely), stand still like you’re doing. When he indicates the new leg, let him pull 1-2 feet of line through your hands (he should PULL it, not you giving slack), and then (assuming he’s on the track), step out behind him—and walk back up the line to your 5’ point, without loosing the tension you have on the line. This is step one of transferring turn responsibility to him, so don’t feel you have to do it on every turn, just on the ones that he gives you a clear LOS and a nice refind (like the first turn on this track). He does seem to find right turns harder, so try to make sure you plot more rights than lefts. I tend to do 2/3 or 3/4–I’m unwilling to make all the turns to the weak side for fear of just swapping weak sides (which is purely superstitious behavior on my part).
ReplyDeleteOH, and I loved, loved loved your actual plotted track. I loved the almost bare dirt, and the track going right next to the soccer goal—those are perfect small challenges for him to work out, just be patient and let him figure it out.
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