Soggy fields (Sept 24)

We had some pretty high winds and no fields free of potentially falling trees so I chickened out on tracking Saturday in Ophelia but headed out Sunday morning while it was still lightly raining. Today I wanted to a) increase the pattern + add some age and b) give Evie some unclear turns (a T at edge of field that could go left or right). We went to the nearby athletic fields which were very soggy/muddy and had some standing water areas as well. After we ran the track, I promoted my junior videographer to tracklayer (she was so excited/proud!) and had her lay a ~100yd track with articles every 10 yds which Evie ran 2x. 

Location:  Robious athletic field

Cover: short grass - very wet, some mud and standing water

Track layer: self

Age: ~50 min

Weather: 63*, overcast, winds W 8mph, light rain

Pattern: S5W15F7 (increased from S5W10F5)

Article: Cheese filled leather glove at end (bandana at start)

Track Map: Track purposely laid with long leg down woods border (a typical distraction for her) with last 3 turns set up that they could go L or R. 

~320 yards total

Track Video:  

Notes:

• Weather was not much of an issue at all. She was happy to track and definitely showed that it was a little tougher in areas with puddles but persevered. During the article tracks, she bowed but didn't want to lay fully in the mud (bless!).
• Length of track and age did not seem too much. 
• Removed the scent pads today. I think this was ok - she still cut some corners but was clear on turns to me. 
• Rate of reinforcement felt good. May do 1-2 more tracks at this pattern before increasing. 
• 3 things she did well:
• New pattern / age- She handled the small increase in pattern well. I figured given that a) she's been doing well at the S5W10F5 pattern and that the ground would hold the scent a bit better today, I increased to S5W15F7 and added from 30 to 50 min together on the track. Both variables worked well today.
• Worked through turn challenges - She was less confident in the last 3 turns which were "open" but was able to take them. I'd like to work on this one more though and increase her confidence.
• Investigate & Continue - Several times she found poo from animals (dogs, cats, geese) on the field and investigated them (sometimes even held a point!) but then would go back to work with an "OK" from me. 
• 3 things to work on:
• Starts - Like last time, she charged the start flag, took the initial line and then after about 15 yards she left the track to explore around. This is 3 tracks in a row that she's done this so next time out will be a starts only track practice. 
• Distractions w/ woods- Ms Birdie wanted to explore the woods several times and was tearing at tall grass from frustration that I wouldn't give her line to go into woods. 
• Distractions at turn - I did not realize when I was laying the track that the last turn had a trash can within her leash length and she very much wanted to explore this. I was patient and called her back several times and she eventually went down the final leg and left the trash alone. 
• Section Notes:
• Walk up - Great - very happy to head to the flag and start. Was confused by the start article. Will work on that in the starts practice
• Start - "OK" - She found the right direction with an angled approach but meandered after ~15yds
• First turn - Strong.
• Articles - Not as great today. She definitely paused at it, checked it out, went and explored around the article, then downed at it. 

Article tracks: She loved this and did very well. Unbeknownst to me, Daphne had laid the track with some really smart decisions - she put easy/well known articles for the first 4, then a leather tag article, 2 more known, then a new plastic article, an easy article, then an old favorite toy as 10th article. This let Evie warmup on the article track - she knew the game. She was a little perplexed by the leather tag and the plastic cup but indicated them (pawing/pausing). The old favorite toy she grabbed and did a snake-shake with it! On the 2nd time through, she seemed to be "over it" about halfway through and begrudgingly finished. I was a little confused by this behavior but then she immediately dashed to go poop so that made sense!

A good but not great tracking day - Good in that it showed several areas where we can strengthen so am glad some of these issues came up today.