ORT Beau (aka Hank)

No, it does not stand for "OutRight Terror", hee hee.  Howard and Beau have been doing nose work training for quite some time now and two weekends ago they were in Frederick MD at a scent work test.  Here is what Howard had to say...

Beau passed his ORT with the birch scent today.  He had 3 minutes to find the scent.....did it in under 15 seconds! 

The ORT is similar to the tracking precursor test necessary to enter a tracking test.  The birch ORT allows us to enter a NW1 test (nose work 1).  Because 2 of the 4 elements in a NW test is outdoors, we will not be entering a test until the Spring.  We will be working on another scent (anise) that is tested in the NW2 ORT test in the meantime.

I am happy because his tail was wagging nonstop the whole time (before, during and after) the ORT!

Looks like they will be moving on to the next level and I look forward to hearing the results of that test next spring.  Congrats!  And for more information on Nose Work check out this link... http://www.nacsw.net/trial-calendar-information/intro-first-trial-getting-started.

Now that fall has arrived Swing and I have been meeting our friend Helen and her Samoyeds to do some tracking training.  You may remember the pictures of Ravi when all 3 pups were around 5 months old.  Anyway, Ravi is still working on his T while Swing is working on her X.  Both dogs are doing quite well, Swing is handling change of cover and obstacles very well and the age on the track doesn't seem to phase her that much.  I doubt she'll be ready for a test this year so if we aren't ready, or can't get to one before Nationals next spring, then we'll shoot for May for our first attempt at the title.  At the rate she is training I am feeling very confident that she will get her TDX.

I have not been very motivated to spend a lot of time on our obedience training, the loss of Dodge back in September really hit me hard and while life has managed to go on and we've pretty much adjusted to the void he left, it is still hard to talk or write about him without choking up.  But I'm starting to feel like training again and I know that with some effort on my part, along with consistency in training, we should be able to enter a Beginner Novice test before to long.  Now that I've said that, I'm hitting a match on Sunday to see where she is at and if it goes well we'll push forward with plans to enter a trial in December.

Speaking of obedience, I looked back over past posts and saw one where I noted that Milo was a 1 legged dog.  I know for a fact that he finished his CD so a big congrats to Art and Milo!  As a matter of fact, for those of you that get the WCA magazine, his title was published in the October issue.  Great job you two.

I know I get to see what some of the M&M pups are up to through Facebook but for those that are not on Facebook please send us a note on occasion to tell us what you've been up to.  Maybe we can all post holiday pictures of our pups since it is only 47 days until Christmas!  Seriously though, I love hearing from everyone and sharing our stories and accomplishments with this litter.  Hopefully it will not be as long between posts but just in case let me wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving (if you celebrate that day).