Second time playing NSTRA game, first place amateur division

Fun time

More GAK9 training fun

 Huge thank you to instructors Sinead Imbaro and Kirsten Moore, host Cheryl Phillips, and my fellow students. I learned so much from each of you. The temperature went from hot to cold, dry to wet, relatively still to super windy. We worked woods and urban. We worked mornings, mid-day, and to nearly midnight. The dogs were quite diverse - Boerboel, Patterdale, Doberman, Labrador, and Malinois. Boozie and I got to do a GAK9 "Stairway to Heaven" (blind). I thought he was being "crazy" because it was relatively short aged and in virginal woods unlike our long aged concrete jungle trails but nope, it was all the scent cones and back tracks, and other scent challenges along the way.

Boozie and I attained GAK9 urban level 3 and urban level 4 during this training period. I am especially thankful of Hunter, a local fireman who hung out during the 4 hours with intermittent rain for the level 4.

First place open obed

Best amateur owner handled. I got frazzled by a GSP in standing heat right near us. I always have the best of intentions to train more around in season females but it doesn't get priority. 

Obedience was decent. Still working to perfect balance of interested and excited to work but not over the top.

Second place day

First open obedience leg, second place out of a big class. Reserve breed gun dog. 

Championship points at Maryland Sporting Dog

Had a nice time with a helpful judge.

Before the next storm

Many others had the same idea as we did Gathland to Harpers Ferry. Redid the joint C&O AT part, this time on foot.

GAK9 urban level 4

Boozie passed a mantrailing certification which very few have done.

GAK9 "URBAN MASTER"

a) The trail is 1’500m with minimum three turns.

b) The age of the trail will be 4 hours old.

c) The trail must be in an urban area (residential area, school, busy industrial estate, etc.). At least two surface changes (gravel, concrete, black-top etc.) must occur.

d) 50 minutes time limit for successful trail completion.