Buster Brown & TricksTracking Journal

 Obstacle practice on Viola Way.  Maybe 200 yards.  1 hour 30 minutes old. 4:30 p.m. 61 degrees, cloudy.  Wet conditions (after rains).  Started well.   But wanted to investigate scents towards road.  I keep him tight (around 5 ft to track) Nice turn into woods.  Lots of down trees (some big).  He did ok with "WAIT" command.  Seems to track very well and love the woods!  He first passed the glove, then stopped and circled back and stopped.  Made a nice turn in the woods and exited nicely.  Road crossing was a bit difficult.  Crossed, then crossed back to check himself.  Took a while to make that right turn.  I should have had water with me!   He seems to shake his head  for a reset or when he is stuck.  Finally took the turn and actually stopped for food drops.  Stopped at the end glove.

 Ok, the time got away from me a little.  I intended to run the first track at 3 hours. . .instead it was 3:45.  Short grass in front yard.  35degrees?  I was not impressed.  Tricks wanted to start in 180 degrees wrong direction.  Got on right direction and pulled hard.  Had a hard time on right turn (near house) but finally figured it out.  Missed the white glove at the end.  Used S10, W15 with food at 8-9.  Not stopping for food.  I didn't think time would be an issue since he has done aged trails (24 - 30 hours old) 2nd track started parallel to road then turned into woods (uphill). 4 hours 25 minutes.  He had a little trouble on the  first leg ( a little road traffic?), did ok on turn into woods.  He loves the woods!  But missed the brown glove after the turn.  Came out of woods ok, but circled a bit to find turn.  Stopped at end glove.   Been playing some glove games in the house....

 Sun. 11/7.  approx.220 yards. Fisherman Way.  10 ARTICLES.  Food in alternating articles.  S10 W15 food at 8-9.  Article 15 - 20.  Aged 3 hours.  Little wet & humid.  Cloudy about 70 degrees. Very good drive & start.  Would NOT down at start or any articles.  Stopped at all articles except metal tool and purple comb.  Ate food drops randomly. Left turn at road (on grass)was a little difficult.  Some car traffic.  Did well on rock driveway(lined with trees) with leaf cover. Tried different types of articles:  eye glass case, sock, gloves, plastic scoop, plastic can lid, plastic comb metal tool, scarf. Have done a few glove games in the house(living room).  He is very excited.  Usually picks up the article and is downing sometimes. How else should I train for downing at the glove?

 Ran at 3:00 p.m.  80 degrees, sunny, breezy. Dry.  Mostly open field with woods on outskirts. Long grass.  427 paces.  Put article on each leg in middle.  All LEFT turns.  Tricks pulled very hard.  I kept him on short 10 ft. lead.  Good drive.  Overshot 2 of the 6 turns.  But 4 of those turns were really good.  Good article indication, but still will NOT down.    2 water breaks--he drank a lot!  Want to work on that down.  He was tired at end! Questions: 1.  How do you practice DURATION without too much of everything else?  Is there age?  How many articles?  Turns?  Woods? 2.  Should I practice RIGHT turns on the next stair step?

 Bob put in a short (130 yards?) track in our yard. 60 degrees. Shady.    Crossed 2 drive ways.  Ran at 1hour 15 minutes .  4:15 in the afternoon.  Scuff 10, Walk 15 w/ food at 8 & 9.  Tricks stopped for some food.  Kept his head down, but wanted to cut one turn off.  (I did not let him)  He stopped at 3 articles.  Put the plastic food can lid in his MOUTh (he likes plastic stuff) but will still NOT down at articles.   Time does NOT seem to be an issue for Tricks.   Would like to work on those downs at articles.