8d • A good day
Trying something new
Last night Nelly and I went mantrailing for the first time. If you, like I, don't know what that is, it is when a dog follows the scent of a human to find them and get a reward (snacks).
I have never done any "work" with Nelly. He was once described by a behaviourist as independent, decisive and aloof. Nelly does what Nelly wants.
The trainer explained that this is the only type of "work" where you are purely following the dog. For some of the other dogs who have done agility and the like, they were constantly checking in with their owner to make sure they were doing the right thing. Not Nelly, he was off, he knew what to do.
He stopped to sniff some pee and of course had to pee on that pee but had to do a little spinny spin first to make sure he was oriented correctly. He didn't rush because he knew what he had to do, in his own time.
My gosh I was so proud of him! He even took food from the lady he was finding by the third time. He also willingly went up to and sniffed a whole load of new people, including a man.
It's one of those moments where I realise how far we've come. From a dog who hid under the bed for 24h, had never been outside at 8 months old, was scared of doorways, BBQs and carrier bags, to now a dog who has his own hobbies 🥹🥹🫶
This picture is from the farm where I worked on the weekend for 14h with my little best mate by my side.
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Trying something new
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