chinook203
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since February 2006
Posts: 849
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Post by chinook203 on Apr 21, 2007 22:31:23 GMT -5
I have a 6 month old Heins 57 pup. Some German Shepard, Lab and some type of terrier. I got him from the animal shelter when he was about 10 weeks old.
I did a lot of pretesting with him to see if he might be a working dog and he did well. About a month ago, I started some basic tracking work (search and rescue), he immediately took to it. He's in his 4th week of training and is doing 100 yard tracks 5 to 10 minutes old so far. He is performing flawlessly.
Tonight, I worked him at my parents house, we had company there, plus nephew had his 3 month old lab pup there. These 2 pups are best buds and go nuts when they are together. I really was afraid with everything going on, Zeus wouldn't track.
My nephew was the "lost" boy this time. I told him no tricks as we are still very much in early training, so I still tell him the path to take, etc. I specifically said, don't climb in any trees.
We get to where my nephew was, and he was up a tree, Zeus went past, then realized there was no more track, went to the tree and smelled right up it and tried to climb to follow the track, then kind of looked at me like "um, what do I do now?"
My nephew felt bad as he had no idea Zeus would pick up the track that fast and find him t hat quick, so he climbed the tree so he could watch Zeus work.
Our area has needed a good tracking dog for a long time. Our Sheriff Dept finally has an awesome GS and he got his first successful find of a lost 5 year old this week. Now we are hoping that in the future, there will be 2 tracking dogs!
I've tried some other dogs, I had one terrific GS that tracked beautifully, but she basically wanted to bite whoever she found, she just really didn't like people besides me. Another GS I trained did some other work, but just not tracking. So far everything is looking terrific on this little guy! Wish me luck he continues to do it. He loves doing it to.
Sandy
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Post by Condor on Apr 21, 2007 23:18:58 GMT -5
Congratulations to him. Looks like he's going to be there when he'll be needed. Looking forward to hearing stories about him in the future.
Condor
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chinook203
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since February 2006
Posts: 849
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Post by chinook203 on Apr 22, 2007 7:53:48 GMT -5
Thanks, his real tests will be the longer/older tracks and then have to introduce cross tracks, where a different scent crosses the one he's supposed to be going over. Some dogs get confused and go for the freshest one.
Poor guy was so tired last night, I got home and he just "passed out", he was out for the night!
Sandy
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Post by beefjello on Apr 22, 2007 9:34:46 GMT -5
That's great, sounds like Zeus is something special! What does GS stand for?
Now you just need to teach him to sniff out Missouri Lace and you'll be set! ;D
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chinook203
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since February 2006
Posts: 849
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Post by chinook203 on Apr 22, 2007 20:29:58 GMT -5
GS - German Shepard LOL, that would be cool. I had a purebred GS given to me today, maybe I'll teach her to be a .....rock hound!
Zeus did a 250 yard 10 minute old track tonight, flawless again!
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Post by xenaswolf on Apr 23, 2007 7:02:56 GMT -5
I think its absolutely fantatstic that you are doing this! I hope the training continues on with perfect results More power to you and those like you that do this wonderful work!
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Post by Cher on Apr 24, 2007 1:23:40 GMT -5
Wow that sounds like fun ... intense work but fun. I've always wanted a GS but hubby continues to say no. He's no fun at all. Great work you do Sandy, much good luck to you and Zeus!!
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chinook203
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since February 2006
Posts: 849
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Post by chinook203 on Apr 26, 2007 23:11:13 GMT -5
Thanks everyone! We haven't got to work much this week with me getting some kind of cold/flu crud. I think we'll be back to work tomorrow. Cher......i have a beautiful 10 month old GS, purebred, that I'd like to find a good home for.......She'll make a terrific pet, but not a working dog........nudge hubby........
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one80mike
freely admits to licking rocks
@(-_-)@ Princess Leia!
Member since February 2007
Posts: 908
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Post by one80mike on Apr 26, 2007 23:23:30 GMT -5
That sounds like so much fun! What a cool thing to do, teaching tracking dogs for rescue. The things that people on this board get up to!
Mike
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chinook203
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since February 2006
Posts: 849
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Post by chinook203 on Apr 26, 2007 23:32:18 GMT -5
This is Zeus and my dad. And Zeus tired of me working in the flower bed!
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one80mike
freely admits to licking rocks
@(-_-)@ Princess Leia!
Member since February 2007
Posts: 908
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Post by one80mike on Apr 27, 2007 0:13:57 GMT -5
Beautiful dog with a gorgeous face.
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RockyBlue
fully equipped rock polisher
Go U.K.
Member since June 2006
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Post by RockyBlue on Apr 27, 2007 20:25:36 GMT -5
A great dog success story,dogs are a lot smarter than people give them credit for.Keep up the good work.................Rocky
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Slydog
has rocks in the head
Member since February 2006
Posts: 555
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Post by Slydog on Apr 28, 2007 20:05:40 GMT -5
Waaaaay cool! Zeus is a good size for the work you want from him, and obviously he is smart and very trainable. He's 'all that' in one package--nice going. Very impressive. I totally believe in tracking dogs, not attacking dogs.
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Post by Alice on Apr 28, 2007 20:27:12 GMT -5
that has to be one of lifes best rewards Congrats
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Post by Condor on Apr 28, 2007 20:34:28 GMT -5
Nice to put a face to a name. Zeus. Good name.
Condor
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chinook203
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since February 2006
Posts: 849
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Post by chinook203 on Apr 29, 2007 21:52:34 GMT -5
We worked with one of our local K9 handlers yesterday. I hadn't got to work him in 5 days, was pretty sick 3 of those days and sudden family visits and other stuff, just couldn't work him. His first run, he just didn't work well, we aren't sure if it was me being nervous or him not being worked in 5 days. We had to go somewhere, then did 2 more tracks with him and he did fine on those. I did 3 tracks with him today and he kicked butt. We work with the handler (very good friend of mine too) again tomorrow.
The new Shepard that was given to me in the past week, was going to start testing with her, she's got an injury now. She fell into the pool while the tarp was on, we aren't really sure how it happened. But if the cover had torn, she would've drowned. Dad and I had to drag her out and in the process, tore a muscle in her arm. So she's just being a pet and Zeus' play bud for now.
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onewomanarmy
has rocks in the head
Carpe Silicis!
Member since January 2007
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Post by onewomanarmy on Apr 30, 2007 8:59:58 GMT -5
Hope your new girl feels better soon - and congrats on the work with Zeus - it's so exciting to watch them excel at something you've been working with them on...and their ability to learn despite our communication differences always amazes me. We've never tried tracking but do agility and know the feeling of seeing them succeed and knowing you had a hand in it. We give them a little direction and training and they continuously teach us lessons in life. I'm pretty sure I'm the slower learner when it comes to this trade off...
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chinook203
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since February 2006
Posts: 849
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Post by chinook203 on May 2, 2007 17:01:03 GMT -5
I agree One......it is amazing at what they can teach us! Sandy
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