Can't help but brag a bit about this dood...

[Pat and Traveler]

Sort of like pulling out an album of grandkid photos... :)

 

A while back I noticed and blogged about Traveler playing 'find the fox,' and how impressed I was at not only his ability to find a hidden toy, but also his dedication in searching for it.  We've continued to play this game off and on, with no particular consistency.  The game is:  he waits in one room while I hide the stuffed fox in a different room, then tell him to 'find the fox.'  His search behavior is so different from his usual behavior!  He takes this job quite seriously, walking all around the two or three search rooms, sniffing, going back over areas that he already searched if he doesn't find it right away.  He even put his front paws on the table, and both looked and sniffed at the tabletop, something he never does at other times.

 

When my daughter was here over Christmas, she wanted to play this game with him, and he was just as intent and focused while searching AROUND guests and another dog!  He just ignored all the distractions.  Yesterday he was on a search when the phone rang.  I got involved in a conversation a couple of rooms away from where he was searching, and after a while he came trotting into my room, carrying the fox!  He'd just kept on searching by himself. 

 

I've tried a different 'toy' a couple of times, a bungee cord with a drop of vanilla scent on it, and that seems to be easier for him to find.  I let him sniff the cord, tell him to wait while I hide it, then tell him to search.  He understands that he's looking for the cord this time and not the fox.

 

I'm just a proud dood mom, and so glad this little guy is in my life!  What a joy!!! 

[Pat and Traveler]

Thanks, Caitlin!  Debbie, go for it!  If Sonny and Coco get the idea, it's really a great game.  Trav also likes to dig a toy out from under his blanket, another task he'll work at until he gets the toy.  Actually, that's what got me started on the whole 'find' game.

[Debbie Durante]

Amazing, I'd like to try this with Sonny and Coco, even if they don't get the idea it will be fun trying. If they do you'll hear from me.

[Pat and Traveler]

I get the uncomfortable feeling that he might be better able to focus than I am.  :)  It really has been a nice way for us to bond, and this game has shown me how important a job can be for some dogs.  Interesting stuff.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

What a nice way to bond with your dog. He sounds like a genius to me!!

[Bonnie and Kona]

What a wonderful way to help Traveler feel like he has a job (other than loving you unconditionally, I mean). He sounds so smart!

[Pat and Traveler]

Yes, I'm not in good enough shape for 'vigorous work,' and that's what would be needed for Search and Rescue.  I think we can improve on what Trav does now, but not enough to be anything but a liability on a real search or rescue.  Trav could probably do it eventually, but it would be too much for me.

[F, Calla & Luca]

It does sound like fun for you and Traveler. Maybe you should have named him Tracker: ) When Luca was in obedience class we had a bloodhound in the class. She was starting Search and Rescue work and it did sound like a lot of vigorous work for dog and owner.

[Pat and Traveler]

Thanks, Jane.  I will look for a tracking class.  He loves doing this so much, it would be great to let him expand on his beginnings.

[Pat and Traveler]

Thanks Camilla and BruceGirl!  I used vanilla as a scent because it was the most handy thing I had.  I was also thinking about rubbing the toy on some pine branches for a pine scent.  He loves this game, though for him it seems to be a serious thing rather than a game.  I used the bungee cord because once he finds the item, he seems to think it's his.  Guess the next step should be a reliable bring and drop, rather than the current bring and then play keep-away.  :)  He's never gotten a treat for doing this, but he does get lots of praise. 

[Linda and Murphy]

Way to go, Traveler. I just finished reading "Scent of the Missing" this morning about a search and rescue dog and the training involved.