Canine Nosework Competition News | Champion of My Heart

Nicely, drat, buddies. Clover completed the canine nosework competitors final Friday, March 3, 2023, in Loveland, Colorado, with discovering 6 of the 8 hides (in 5 searches), however you must be PERFECT and all in ONE DAY to earn the NW2 title, so we’ll strive once more March 31 at a trial MUCH nearer to house … and, in reality, the identical location the place Clover earned her NW1 on her first strive at that degree of canine nosework competitors. Due to an expedited video course of. We have already got our movies to share. This is the way it went. 

NW2 Canine Nosework Outcomes

The excellent news is that with Clover getting 6 of the 8 hides all through the day and different causes she got here in ninth total (from about 28 canines), which is WAY higher than subsequent to final on the occasion in October 2022. Enchancment!!

Additionally, she *nearly *nearly *nearly acquired a ribbon for her 2 inside searches that day. They solely give locations 1, 2, and three, and Clover got here in 4th within the inside canine nosework aspect. She is absolutely fairly good at interiors, very methodical, and many others. 

It is a couple of 2-hour drive every strategy to Loveland for us, and Clover’s tummy appeared off that morning as soon as we arrived (sickly poops), however she labored actually onerous and rested in between searches, and she or he appeared fairly pleased. 

A buddy (who hosted the occasion) took this photograph of us proper earlier than our ultimate search — an exterior canine nosework search with simply 1 conceal, however the location and the winds causes swirling air. That is why Clover retains circling the world within the video beneath. 

Let’s have a look!

Canine Nosework – Automobile Search

I will not present you the complete car search as a result of it is painful to observe. Clover discovered the conceal instantly, however I used to be too goofy to name it so quick and ended up asking her to look all 3 vehicles, and we timed out. 

Lesson discovered!!! Whereas Clover does typically move hides in different canine nosework search components (like containers and interiors), she is MUCH MORE decisive with autos, and I should be courageous sufficient to name ALERT!

Alas, in our first NW2 nosework competitors in April 2021, the one search I tousled was as a result of I referred to as one thing too quick. Now, we missed getting a title as a result of I botched the primary search of the day by not calling one thing quick sufficient. Hey! A minimum of I do not maintain making the *identical errors. (ha ha)

Sure, Clover discovered the conceal in like 7 second, and but I blew the total 3 minutes of the search. Gah!

Canine Nosework – Inside Search 1

After botching the primary search, I used all my Psychological Mastery abilities to shake it off, together with taking part in our theme track [see video of that below too] for this occasion’s prep again and again within the automotive. 

The subsequent search was a 3-hide inside in a fairly large room. And, the restrict was 3 minutes. 

I understand watching this video again that I waited a LONG TIME (once more) to name the inaccessible conceal within the stack of chairs. I used to be largely questioning why the odor was so low on the bottom for Clover. It most likely needed to do with the heating system within the constructing and the chilly temps outdoors, however for some time (about 30 seconds), it sort of threw me, and I wished to be proper after being flawed on autos. 

However, then, Clover went again and picked up the “threshold” conceal on the garbage can close to the door and the one on the music stand that she additionally handed on her first lap round. 

Once more, that is fairly widespread for Clover to work rooms like this in a counter-clockwise sample, so I simply let her do what she must do. 

Canine Nosework – Containers

We have struggled a bit currently with container searches, that are actually SELECTIONS and never SEARCHES in the identical means that different canine nosework search components are. 

Choice is MUCH MORE nerve-racking and troublesome for the canines. We have been taking a web based class in latest weeks to work on our container search teamwork and conceptual coaching, however we acquired caught up in a distraction field, and I did not learn Clover accurately and in reality affected her work (and accidently made her have a look at me, which she generally does when she finds a conceal). 

Nonetheless, she acquired 1 of two hides in a troublesome room with excessive ceilings and drapes and desk cloths. We have additionally by no means had a photographer clicking away at us whereas we work earlier than. 

I sort of suspected the place they different conceal was primarily based on how Clover searched the drapes close by on her first move by way of, however I can not name ALERT till she sort of exhibits me that she is aware of or thinks the conceal is someplace. 

I lately discovered that when numerous canines false alert on a chilly field that it typically triggers different canines to false alert too. The speculation is that they launch a cheerful pheromone in that space and that different canines reply to that as an alternative of the goal odor. Gah!

So, mainly, it behooves ALL of us to keep away from false alerts on containers. That darn bagel!!

Canine Nosework – 2nd Inside Search

Once more, I rallied myself to proceed with the day and end sturdy. Subsequent got here the second inside search. One conceal in a smaller room than earlier than and a 2 1/2 minute time restrict.

Once more, you will see Clover work the room twice earlier than deciding on the conceal. I consider this as Clover “taking attendance” within the room to survey what number of hides she thinks there are. Bear in mind, I am advised what number of hides at this degree, however I do not know the place they’re, so they’re “blind” searches. 

Canine Nosework – Exterior

As I discussed earlier, our ultimate search of the day was outdoors or a so-called exterior search. It was simply 1 conceal, however the constructing’s face and winds precipitated swirling … particularly with a hearth close by which could have drawn the odor that course too. When she goes out of video view, she is looking that freestanding fire. 

I am SO grateful that I did NOT name ALERT when Clover acquired caught up for a bit in “pooling odor” round one other chair and up one of many large posts. In that occasion, ready to all ALERT was the correct resolution as a result of then she labored her strategy to the right location below one other chair. 

Our Theme Music

It struck me lately that this track from Neil Diamond must be our theme track main as much as this competitors. It is a LONG story, involving my mother who died 10 years in the past, about why I have been listening to a lot Neil Diamond this winter, however this peppy little track helps me, and the video contains puppies!

Our New Theme Music for the Canine Nosework Competitors on March 31

So think about this taking part in in my head as we stroll to the beginning line subsequent time we compete. ;o) It is fairly the anthem.