We passed our K9 nosework ORT for Birch!

[GBK]

 

So mommy was nervous, but Buddy and Kona knew where we were and what we were there for!  They were all business and went right to work to find their odor and alert me.  I think Buddy took all of 17 seconds, and Kona just a little longer. 

Everyone get's 3 minutes tops to find the scent source (Birch this time) in the one out of 12 boxes set up in the trial area.  Our instructor, who facilitated in getting the trial here to LV,  said it looked like I was holding my breath so long I could barely get the alert call out :)  Yes, I think with Buddy I was, but felt much more confident the second time around with Kona.  I am so happy, it really is a team effort, you need to work together and trust each other.  On to NW1 trial, probably somewhere in California this winter...

 

Above are some of my classmates waiting our turns on Sat, and I wanted to tell you the story of Michelle (third from the left) and her very, very shy little girl Lillie.  Michelle and Lillie started a class before us, and she told me how they had to use paper plates to start with because Lillie was so afraid to put her head anywhere near the open boxes.  They repeated class one with us a couple of months later, and had graduated to certain boxes they practiced with at home and brought to class to use as HER food boxes only.  By the end of our class session, Lillie was confident enough to put her head in boxes and use the same boxes as the rest of the dogs all the time.  She passed her ORT on Saturday with flying colors, Michelle was in tears of joy when she came around to tell us she passed.  It is amazing what teamwork can do, and to see this adorable little dog go from tail down and  between her legs at the start of our class, to head held high, tail up and butt wagging with confidence.  I would encourage anyone with a shy dog to try a class, it doesn't take much time to see a difference :)  Here is Lillie with her nose in a box!

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Congratulations to you all! Looks like so much fun. This is on my list for a future class! Working with Jilly now on CGC.

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

Congratulations Buddy, Kona and you, Gina.  Job well done.  Love the pictures.

[GBK]

Thanks Ricki!  I think I found an instructor for you, I checked the info at the site :)

Grants Pass

Name:  Sharon Smith, ANWI

City, State:  Grants Pass, OR

Status:  Current

Email:  [e-mail]

Cities where group classes are held:  Grants Pass, Medford Thanks Pat!  We were lucky to get a trial in our area, usually everyone had to make a trip to CA or AZ for this 3 minute test.  We will start the area searches again now that everyone has passed.  We have been working Lowes parking area and a few parks before concentrating on the boxes for the test.  Their sense of smell is really amazing....  Glad your shy dog has blossomed too!

[Pat and Traveler]

Congratulations!!  Trav has been doing nose work for a few months and just loves it!  We've been working most recently at Home Depot in the garden department and parking lot.  I think Trav could pass the birch search with containers, as he's been finding that scent up on poles and in the bushes.  Anyhow--congrats again==well done!!!  It really is a great thing for a shy dog--we have one in our group who has also just blossomed.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

WTG all of you!! It looks like a lot of fun for everyone. I think Tara would love this as she really enjoys similar games at  home and I have used it to boost her self confidence too.  She would be the Lillie of her class but I'm pretty sure nothing like this is offered in our area. 

[GBK]

Thanks Karen, Jarka, Chloe and Lucy :)

Lucy, it has become a sport and there are trials you can compete in.  My good friend had become an instructor and was totally hooked on the fun she and her dog were having.  She is now teaching it.  We are having so much fun, and truthfully if I didn't work full time, I would love to train for search and rescue....  We are looking forward to competing in a trial soon, the link to the official group is below if anyone is interested in learning more:

http://www.nacsw.net/home

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Wow, congratulations.  Just curious is this something you guys are doing just as a training experience for fun, or are you hoping to eventually work into some sort of search and rescue or drug type work?

[Chloe, Finley & Mama Shelley]

So cool ! Congrats..

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Congratulations! Fun, training, and exercise all in one.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

WTG, G B and K!!!!!