A Great Day out in the Forest

Today we headed out to Sjöbo for tracking trials and we couldn't ask for better weather this time of year, a bit damp and around 6C- heck, the sun even peaked out for a bit!

Both Freddie and Liina were signed up to do tracking trials today. Freddie went first and although there was a lot of wildlife in the forest today and he was a bit distracted, he squeaked by with a 1st place due to his ability to check the track and restart if Simon was sure he was off. He hasn't been tracking much since the end of 2013 and it was clear that he needed a little "practice" in his obedience on the tracking lead. He was just a bit too excited to be out in the forest today. Sadly, the poor boy had no "prize" at the end of his track as an animal had stolen the hoof.

The requirement for the woods for tracking in Sweden are that there are different types of terrain (and ideally not flat) and full of wildlife. Judging by the boar damage, deer and boar tracks, and fresh poop I saw today, there is no doubt that the woods were alive. Liina's track proved just that...

Liina was such a natural talent on her anlagstest, that I decided to risk it and try an open class track with her today. She definitely didn't disappoint me! She did excellent work and completed her track in 18 minutes! The biggest challenge for us was on our 2nd corner (the återgång- a back track) when we got to the turn around point, Liina turned to head back to the blood track and, whoops!, up popped a deer! All I could think was, oh shit, do I try to take her back to the start, do I pick her up and calm her down, do I try to continue, what? Luckily, the judge saw the situation and after Liina started to whine and longingly watch the running deer, we were called back to the start of the corner. Liina was a bit quick and more excitable than usual at that point, but she was working like a pro. I couldn't have asked more of her. Super dog and super time- 1st prize!

Needless to say that I am overjoyed with my talented group. I also have to pay great thanks to the ancestors of both these dogs. Though in different ways, both dogs  have Suddebok/Kobeddus in their lineage- dogs known not only for their beauty, but for their working abilities. Fingers crossed for more great results to come!!

Trimming and training

February has been a bit of a whirlwind so far. I can't believe it is already 1/2 way gone! I spent the past weekend in Helsinki for a very special little girl's birthday. My dear little godchild Emma turned 2 and Auntie Julie was invited to the party, but I also was the birthday cake baker. It was a Moomin themed party and we had Moomin drawings, balloons, and of course winter Moomin figures for the cake. I was happy that the Finns appreciated the American style cake and only 1 small piece was left after the party. :)

Now back home in Sweden things are getting back to normal. Liina was in need of a trimming, but I was debating on when to do it. I was unsure if she would be going on tour to shows with Markku and as she is now looking as though her size will be mini instead of standard I didn't know if or when she would be shown. I figured that now was as good of a time as any and spent yesterday trimming the little girl.

Pre-trim

Pre-Trim

Post Trim photos

 The weather has been pretty good and we are able to do some blood tracking practices. I realized this past week that neither Freddie nor Liina had ever seen/practiced the "starting box" that they have here in Sweden in open class tracks. 

example of an open class track

So yesterday morning, we went out with the object of laying starts for each of the dogs along with about 100m afterwards. Short and sweet, but a good confidence boost for each of them and good practice. The tracks were down for approx 20 hrs and we took the dogs out in the blustery, cold wind this morning to do the tracks. Conditions weren't so ideal as I woke up to 2C (about 36F) and 25 mph wind gusts, but we didn't want to waste the opportunity or leave our deer hoof out in the woods. Liina did great with the start and confidently started on the track, but then got a bit distracted. There are a TON of deer and boar in the woods near us and I saw a lot of very, very fresh poop in the forest, but Liina was very good about coming back to the track and working. She found the end of the track very quickly and confidently and was thrilled to have a deer hoof to play with it!

Freddie was an old pro, what can I say? I was taking down the markings from the box and he was already done. He is so fast and accurate that I don't expect him to have many problems... unless he jumps a deer or hare or boar. Then we have to really get him calm before starting up again.

Overall, a nice, calm weekend. Now I am hanging out with my favorite champion on the couch, enjoying a little quiet time. :)