This post is very late, but we have been so busy getting things in order for winter. Julie had asked for a description of Ziva’s TD track, so here it goes.
TD test-Lisa’s version
There were 8 TD tracks being offered and 9 entries. We were picked last for the awarding of the tracks 🙁 In the end 1 dog ended up withdrawing- they received their TD at a show the weekend before, so we now had a spot in the test. It rained cats and dogs the night before and the rain woke me up at 3:30 am the morning of the test. Libby said “wake me when it’s time to go”. Ziva got up with me and annoyed the cat till it was time to go. Luckily, on the drive to the site, by 7 it was just a drizzle (oh good-water holds the scent). Psycho Mom arrived at the test site by 7:30 for the 8 am draw where we ended up with the 3rd run. As soon as I got the tracking equipment out Ziva started “talking”, but by the time the harness was on she was uncharacteristically quiet and attentive. My heart was beating so fast I hoped I wouldn’t have a heart attack before the end of the day. One of the club members walked over and said, “You must breathe-your dog knows you are stressed and it will make her not want to leave you to go track”. We walked to our track across the road and the start flags were visible when we went around the corner of the barn. I looked at the acres of open field around us, knowing only my dog knew where the track was and zoned out. Eyewitness accounts, my trainers, said Ziva took one look at the start flags and she was ready, but kept looking at me instead of her normal “talking” and pull to get to the start flags. Reality check- OMG-I’m screwing up my dog!! Get your head on straight Lisa – – Deep breath-another one, “Ok Z, let’s do it, are you ready”? Big whine and happy tail and we’re on our way to the start. Nice platz and a very long sniff of the sock. When she was done, I picked it up and said “find it” and off she went, nose to the ground. Penciled the first turn and kept on tracking, next turn, beautiful, then she noticed we were being followed. She stopped and looked up the hill at the judges and moved off the track toward them watching. “Ok Z, back to work, find it” and a little bit of casting and off she went back where she had been headed. Now I was sane enough to be able to notice her typical tracking behavior, tail rhythmically swinging back and forth and nose on the ground steadily pulling. Oh wait, what’s she doing? A a few sidesteps and investigation, no, not what we’re looking for, then back on the track, another turn, a couple of air scents along the way and then she stopped, looked down and then back at me. “What did you find Z” and there it was, the glove with congratulations on your TD written on it.
She was the youngest dog at the trial and both judges said they were very impressed by her work ethic and enthusiasm for the job. Of course they also loved her pigment. On her paperwork was written “a very nice, young ,honest, working dog” .
On the track
TD Test-Ziva’s version
What is Mom rummaging around in the car for-is it-OMG it is, my tracking harness—yippee I get to do sniffies! Harness is on but—WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH YOU MOM????? Boy I don’t like this a bit-she is really not herself. I wonder what’s wrong-I need to keep an eye on things. Oh look, here comes that nice man that we see sometimes when we hunt for sardines. Oh great—now they are going to talk, we’ll be here forever. Wow, that was quick-now were walking to a field. I see flags—flags mean sniffies-let’s go. She stopped, why? I hear her take some deep breaths, she seems more like herself and is letting me go toward the flags. OH BOY, this is it she clipped the line to my harness. Sniffing the cloth thingy-boy, whoever had this should have taken a bath—phew!!! Looked up at Mom and she took the cloth thingy and told me to find it. Boy this this easy-big stinky footprints. Right turn-nailed it—haha, still following stink foot- sniff, sniff, sniff, I could follow this with one paw tied behind my back. Left turn, Hey!!! What are those people doing following us???? What Mom, ok I’ll get back on the track. She’s back to herself, making me work like a dog. Another turn oh-what have we here…only deer tracks, I need to get back to following stink foot. Another turn, easy, peasy , down the path -next time this guy should take a bath. Hey Mom, look I found stink foots glove- – –
Hey!!!!! where are my sardines????
Congratulations Lisa, and thanks for the great stories.
Lisa you are excellent writer. I enjoyed your story so much, I could totally feel what you were going through. Until you have tracked you do not know the feelings you go through. Thank you again, loved it!
First I read your version, now Ziva’s. Yours was exhilarating and made my heart race, Ziva’s version made me smile and chuckle. Both versions of the TD test were delightful!
Thank you for the play by play. It was hilarious. I did the same thing with Lucy when we were trying to get our C-ATCH. I was so nervous that I messed her up. I pulled her off a jump with my body language and then yelled “NO!” when she went around it. She looked at me, like “that’s what you said to do!” Her look was priceless, but it made me realize that I was screwing her up. Take a deep breath and relax. I’m enjoying agility competitions now a lot more now that I have the big title and don’t feel that I am “working” towards anything. Enjoy yourself!
You are right, the dog is never wrong-either you didn’t train it or proof it enough. I’m sure you’ll hear more of my screw ups when we start agility. I’m hoping I won’t miss any more Rally signs either. Apparently I am one of those people that can’t walk and chew gum at the same time.
Wonderful Lisa! You’re doing such an awesome job with the Z!
When I first trialed with Koda, I was so nervous I thought I’d throw up on the field. The day before, I had thought about calling my doctor for xanax!
Good job you two!!!
what a fun description of the tracking experience! thanks for sharing it. you did great!
I am trying to get Z-Evil one ready to start competing in agility next year. No surprise that the kid’s impulse control is one of our most frequently worked on issues. I’m afraid she will be one of those dogs that is so intent on the task that she will fly off the equipment and hurt herself. Maybe Momma Bailey can give her some agility tips and Ziva can advise Momma on some tracking tips 🙂
Momma Bailey says she’d do ANYTHING for a ball, even if it requires self control.
Auntie Charlene likes that attitude! perhaps the ball should be in Bailey’s tracking articles.
of course there are issues when I’m proofing weaves by dropping balls…
The Ball Junkie gene did get passed down to her daughter.
I LOVED this story! As one who suffers from “crazy stupid ring nerves” I sympathize and applaud your ability to take a deep breath and get on with things! Congratulations!
I really hope to get back to tracking sometime.
ps – the ball junky gene lives in our house too.
Lisa, this was AWESOME!! Great story, and loved going through the track from Ziva’s point of view…cracked me up:))) Congrats again, you did such a great job …. GO Team Ziva!!!