Chris R & Lois

 The second track I knew where the track was, so I could help Lois stay on the track. I think there was too many food drops that created the frantic behavior from Lois.  Lois has been doing really well on the turns. In the future I am going to try more scuff marks and less food drops.  Hopefully this plan will help Lois stay on the track and strengthen her tracking foundation.  

 February 14, 2026.   Learning points from this track is that I am not ready to do a blind track.  I need to know where the track is to better support Lois to make sure she is successful.  

 December 19 I ran Lois on a straight track, 125 Yards with no food drops.  There was an article half way down the track.   The track was 30 minutes old.  Lois is staying more focused without food drops.  However in the future I plan to do one food drop after a turn or halfway down a long track.  

 December 7, 2025.  I laid 2 tracks for Lois.  The ground was muddy so I was able to create big scuff marks.  I placed a small piece of kibble every 5 steps.  When I started Lois she appeared to be really tracking and flying past a lot of the treats.  I think the muddy ground really helped her. The second track Lois noticed more of the treats, but it still felt better then our practice session last week.   We did a couple of article games where I threw down the glove and asked her to down at it.   Fortunately I will have a chance to work on muddy ground again soon.  

 December 4, 2025 I met with a friend to do some tracking.  I have been out of town for almost 2 weeks, so I decided to start over with Lois.  My friend laid a track in grass, with small dried salmon as the treats.  Lois spent her time searching for the treats.  My friend and I thought maybe the treats were too small. Next track was on closely mowed grass, and using meatballs as the treats.  She seems to distracted by the treats.  Next track on closely mowed grass, the treats were spaced further apart.  This track seemed the best to me.   I am going to try a lesser value treat, small kibble, and see if she seems less distracted. Here indication at the articles is going well.  I will continue to use high value treats at the articles.  

 November 15, First training.  I learned how to lay a beginner track.  I also learned how to keep Lois on the track, moving forward, keeping the veering to a minimum.   I will practice the article games to strengthen the indication. I need to purchase a harness before having her work more tracks. Next practice sessions will be 20, 30, 40.  Then 30, 40, 50.   I need to remind Jen that I will be out of town from November 23 until November 30. Thank you for a fun day!