This track was not to be an exercise in length of track or the amount of time passed since laid, but to give Heidi some more experience of following a track over ground which has lots of 'live' deer activity. Her last track in this wood was a big problem as regard to this as she got completely miss guided a couple of times.
We started off fairly easily covering around 300m of open ground along the outside of the wood.
However when we came to the right hand turn into the wood, she ignored it and continued on almost behaving cockily, that she knew what she was doing, wrong! Well not quite, I assume there was recent deer activity on the line we were taking, and that's what she was concentrating on. I let her get to the end of the wood before holding her back and encouraging her to turn around, which she did, but then again went past the turn, and continued in the direction from where we had started. Again I held her back on the leash until she return to me and found the turn into the wood.
Once inside I think there was a couple of times where she picked up on 'live' trails, and she just needed a little encouragement to correct her. The good news is that she now seems to be willing to deal with obstacles such as brambles, and nettles. This gives her the ability to follow the track more precisely, and leaves me behind, slowing her down!
Age of track: 8hrs
Length of Track: Approx 450m.
Type of track: Shoe and diluted blood.
Amount of blood: 200ml (1/2 diluted with cleave juice).
Wind direction: From the left initially.
Wind strength: 8-12 mph
Temp: 16ºC
Weather: Bright and cool.
Time: 03.00pm
Age of Dog: 6 months
Conclusions:
Heidi still need more experience in working over areas that have 'live' deer trails, but I can sometimes spot the difference in her approach to the scent line when she's on the right track. Her attitude is a lot more steady and almost cautious, whereas on 'live' deer she seems very, very keen, almost cocky.
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