The Daily Q: Loss & Motivation

I do best when I have things to look forward to — like the Tracking Test we entered for early April in Boise. Having that goal structured and shaped my training for the past few months, and yes — the test is canceled.

Understandable, of course, but also understandably disappointing.

Life with Covid-19 involves a lot of loss. The obvious one is loss of life but there are so many smaller and accumulating losses.

It is okay to acknowledge that losing opportunities, events, and goals is sad and hard. Please don’t make things worse by minimizing your personal losses — they are real and they matter. Just because it could be worse doesn’t mean it isn’t crappy and griefworthy.

And so let’s recognize that the loss of dreams and goals is tough. Let’s also acknowledge the choice it forces on us — to give up or to go on with faith and hope towards something we cannot yet see.

Those of us who track with dogs know well that feeling of marching on without a clue about where this is going — who knew we were practicing for Covid-19?!

This is what it looks like to just march on with faith and trust. It isn’t easy but these days, it is necessary.

And so we feel the feelings, and get back on track — literally and figuratively.

Sundance is off track here — no worries. It happens to all of us! Suzanne waited him out and he recovered quickly.

I want to mention a worry I have — that our wonderfully enthused humans could be pushing dogs too hard and too fast, and that this could be exacerbated during Life With Covid-19 because of extra time and extra stress.

It is exhausting and discouraging to constantly be pushing the envelope, whether one is a human or a dog.

Sit with success.

Visit what is easy again.

Stop making things harder just because you can. (Those of you doing 1+ mile freight hauls with weight — I am looking at you.)

Sundance and Claire, both skilled and advanced tracking dogs, will both be doing straight tracks of about 100 yards with lots of treats and articles this week. In fact, that is likely what we will do for the next 2 - 3 tracks.

Why?

Because maintaining motivation and attitude is every bit as important as skill, and always wanting more from our dog (and ourself) is a great way to destroy it.

Covid-19 has given us time — let’s use it to our advantage.

For the next week or two — sit tight where you and your dog are rocking it, and just enjoy and celebrate what success feels like. I think we all need that right now.

Tracking Video

I am excited to share this video! It is the view from above of a tracking dog — specifically, Harper B for Best Tracker.

It starts with a short view of track laying and the site, which is where the June tracking test is held — so amazing.

The video then shifts to following us on the track right before the first of four turns. Here is what to watch for:

1. See if you can tell when Harper is on the track and when she is searching a bit. Harper is a superb tracking dog and spends very little time searching — but if you watch closely you will see search/indication for every corner.

2. Note that when she is searching I handle her differently — I slow down or stop (or fall), and I will back up. The cover is a lot of bunch grass and Harper is fast — you will see me go down!

3. Harper finds three articles on this track. The indication at the first was solid. In watching the video I see that she indicated the second but it was subtle and I missed it — I spotted the article and asked, “what did you find” and that drew her back to it. The third and final article was indicated clearly.

Let me know what you think — and if this video is a helpful tracking tutorial.

Changing Season & Ponder This

In spite of a vigorous training schedule for the past four months, it is apparently not Claire’s year for a TDX.

She was first alternate at the specialty TDX test and she is third alternate at our local test, even with a Worker Certificate advantage.

Tracking Season is now closed for 2019. It is getting hot and the grass will dry up — time to shift gears.

I am a wee bit disappointed that we did not get in a test, but the Disappointment Channel is a real downer and so I switched my mental channel to a happier one. And yes, it is a choice where to park your brain just as much as it is a choice where to park your backside.

The Hope Channel is my favorite — it plays all the happy events and days ahead in an endless loop. One of the shows on the Hope Channel is that amazing day when Claire earns a TDX.

In the meantime, we are turning our attention to other events — and growing coat. No Hair Claire is definitely sporting her summer outfit these days.

Coming up in June — two days of obedience for Harper B, and a return to AGILITY — not Harper for Begone Agility (perish the thought says Harper) but for Daisy and Claire. How fun is that?!

Today’s Ponder This from my stewarding vantage point — who looks their very best when gagging and choking?