Piper’s Pistol Going to Work

Watson's Mom

Watson's Mom

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I see that this forum has been pretty much quiet since 2018….

Piper just started doing a couple of basic nosework classes (Roxy came today too but she doesn’t seem to have the high drive Piper does so she can just do it for fun when there are drop in classes.)

Piper is super excited and we’re going to start doing actual ongoing classes once the weather gets nicer since it’s a bit of a drive and the highway can get snotty when it snows. The instructor does both NACSW and AKC tracking classes. I’m kind of excited to let her try both.

I know there are some other Nosework folks in here. Do any of you trial with your dogs? I think Piper will really like that things get progressively more difficult. She so far has not shown herself to be a huge fan of the repetition of formal obedience. :ROFLMAO::shifty:

How about tracking? I’ve said I want to get a leashed tracking dog license for wounded deer but other types of tracking could be fun too.

And we have at least two places around here that at least teach nosework and there are two trials and an ORT coming up this spring. So, we would have the chance to get out and do those things.
 
We got hooked on Nosework, NACSW, about 3 years ago. We have not competed, but we passed the ORT and are training at Nosework Level 2 presently. The dogs absolutely love it and do really, really well. It is tons of fun to let them do what comes naturally, and you are there to support and reward. Much different than directing them like in other sports. I know at least a couple other people here do Nosework also.

We don't trial because it's quite a drive for the nearest one, and we'd have to leave Meadow at home. But we have done a local mock trial, and what they call a "Sniff and Go" where you only show up for your one level, do your thing, and leave.

Have never tried tracking though.
 
Sharon7 said:
We got hooked on Nosework, NACSW, about 3 years ago. We have not competed, but we passed the ORT and are training at Nosework Level 2 presently. The dogs absolutely love it and do really, really well. It is tons of fun to let them do what comes naturally, and you are there to support and reward. Much different than directing them like in other sports. I know at least a couple other people here do Nosework also.

We don't trial because it's quite a drive for the nearest one, and we'd have to leave Meadow at home. But we have done a local mock trial, and what they call a "Sniff and Go" where you only show up for your one level, do your thing, and leave.

Have never tried tracking though.
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I was surprised to hear that there is more than one place within an hour and change that does nosework. And the trials that I know of right now are the same.

I guess nosework seems to be pretty popular so a local mock trial could be fun too for any one that might be interested.

A few years ago we worked a training day with some regional SAR/cadaver dogs and their handlers. On our boat. It’s was awesome to watch these dogs. We at one point had a tervuren onboard and he was just an absolutely beautiful dog. I love watching working dogs work. We had a chance to learn what the handlers need from boat operators to do an effective water search for a cadaver.

If she’ll go for it, I would definitely like to try her at that too. If she’s happy and excited to do it, I’m happy and excited to let her try and learn it.

I read this on a tracking sheltie site and I think it’s pretty accurately what Piper has taught me: “Our goal in training is not to have the best dog in the ring, but to train each dog to perform to the best of her or his ability in the areas for which she or he shows interest and aptitude.”

Maybe she’s such a challenge because she really is meant to be a working dog.
 
We also do nosework. We have never trialed, because honestly I do not have the time to spend traveling to trial.

So we just do it for fun. We go to class once a week for the past few years. We are training at a level 3/4 and all the other dogs in our class do trial. Shelby absolutely loves it and if we miss a week or 2 you can definitely tell. She needs to have a job to do and this is it. Learning to understand your dog and know when they are on odor is amazing.

i think you will really enjoy it.
 
Sharon7 said:
You may have hit the nail on the head, Darci. She may be a dog that really, really needs a job. Nosework is great for tiring out their brains!
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She’s had her meltdowns that still need dealing with but she has mostly been calm this afternoon and evening so far. Chewing away on her bully stick.

The nosework instructor gave me an idea to have start her morning with a search for breakfast while I take Roxy out I like that idea. I can hide some kibbles around the room and let her go look. Just have to remember where I put them all.
 
Shelby's mom said:
We also do nosework. We have never trialed, because honestly I do not have the time to spend traveling to trial.

So we just do it for fun. We go to class once a week for the past few years. We are training at a level 3/4 and all the other dogs in our class do trial. Shelby absolutely loves it and if we miss a week or 2 you can definitely tell. She needs to have a job to do and this is it. Learning to understand your dog and know when they are on odor is amazing.

i think you will really enjoy it.
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Yes! I remember them talking about that… reading their dog… when I helped out with the cadaver training!

I’m excited to start real classes with her.

Another idea I was given was to set up a short walk with little mini searches as we go along for her to do. We are fortunate to live on a very rural road. And I bet once we start learning tracking, I could set simple tracks up too so she can learn to sniff on different terrain.
 
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