9/2/2024 - LDW easy / fun track

Goal: Kennel training - Evie hasn't ridden in the GK yet and was still nervous about going into it so I wanted a short ride to nearby field with a fun "Man, I'm amazing / Wow, that was worth the kennel trip" attitude from her.

Location: Robious Athletic Fields

Weather: 69*, scattered clouds, light to moderate breeze (10mph), 59% humidity

Age: 15 min (Didn't want her getting anxious in kennel)

Pattern/Track Design: S5W30F15, 2 turn track

Articles: Sock at start flag, loaded pill container (novel article)

Total = 210 yds (93, 40, 77)

Track Video:

Walkup:

• She was excited but very measured/focused
• She downed at the start article on her own (somewhat unexpected - through TD, this was often coached)

1st leg:

• Pretty on top, slightly left at times but only by 12-18 inches

1st turn:

• Not pretty. She showed LOS and took R turn initially then circled back (normal for her) but as she circled back, she was watching a soccer game on adjacent field.
• She then took the R 90* leg and I was letting line out but hadn't stepped. Right as I was about to follow, she stopped (This was my error completely - I should have supported her better here)
• We then spent 3 min working this turn:
• She  wanted to take a 45* open angle to the right but I did not support that option. Queue major frustration by her including sitting down with her back to me and whining. 😏
• I used my tools: offered water and encouragement, walked backwards on L1 to put her on the turn, pulled in line for a smaller search radius
• She didn't seem interested in getting her nose down.
• I was getting ready to throw an article but changed my mind and instead threw some food 5 yards down L2 on the track when she wasn't looking. This did it! She got her nose down to find this jackpot and that re-energized her. I quickly followed and then she confidently plowed down L2, T2, and L3.

2nd turn:

• Much better - did her typical routine of LOS - quick check down actual next leg - small circle out and around to check other side - then took the turn confidently.
• She was close on the line for final leg as we came down a small hill to the next field. 

End article:

• I let out some extra line down this leg and she handled the end article great - Nice bowed down on her own 
• Novel article for her (plastic pill container) but I had loaded it up with a few pieces of cheese. I'm trying to start incorporating some non-fabric/leather articles as we get back to things for this fall.

Next outing/goal:

• Given Turn 1 today, I want to train turns on our next outing with a stairstep probably. Hoping today was just an off day but definitely need to keep an eye on this. I would like fundamental turns to be crisper before I go back to adding some age/duration on tracks. It will be critical when we restart on woods/etc.