BGBTO Presents: An Introductory Seminar / Workshop

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Originally Posted by werner.reiche

I'm not so concerned with the lead getting caught on brush - my concern is that the handler has to go everywhere the dog goes - on the same side of every try and below ever branch that the dog does - or let go of the lead an catch it on the other side. My dogs go through stuff that a guy cannot walk through - most of the dirty stuff is balsam or spruce, or in cut over areas, poplar and soft maple whippy as we call it.

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that's pretty much reality. on the other hand, how often are most of us tracking? in addition, the impenetrably thick stuff (where you need to go on your belly) is where they finally bed and expire. so, it's kind of worth going in.
personally, never needed to rely on a dog to find for anything I shot, but one day will be the day and I better have my dog ready and be fully confident in my dog's abilities.
for the reasons you mentioned, people have come up with quite specialized equipment over the years, which is nowadays all commercially available if you care buying overseas (e.g. neck protectors, mesh goggles, tracking rifles (that don't get caught in the brush and are as mud-proof as it gets), double action only handguns (never really understood that one, but it won't apply to us anyway), Kevlar clothing, daggers, etc.)

on a side note, if the leads gets caught too often, it might be because the dog doesn't work the actual track slowly enough or overshoots it too often and needs to "boegel" all the time to get back on track
therefore, (legal aspects aside) off leash tracking with a dog that has already trouble on a tracking lead should not be considered efficient. and don't forget if off leash, the dog does not only need to track, but also to do your job of dispatching or at least holding it at the location until you arrive (and that's a whole different discussion)

Looks like we will have enough participants for this event to go ahead. I am really looking forward to attending and learning a lot from folks who know so much more than I do. Thanks for the opportunity...

Only a few days to go, and not too late if anyone else is interested in attending! See my original post.

Me = getting nervous, (a) I'm not a presenter, and (b) with my luck Misty will just act like a goof and make me look like a fool.

Will get her out to run a few lines this week, but in this heat it's difficult. I may set a couple lines this evening and run her on them tomorrow evening - 24 hours isn't a long soak for her cold nose.

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Originally Posted by jweese

Only a few days to go, and not too late if anyone else is interested in attending! See my original post.

Me = getting nervous, (a) I'm not a presenter, and (b) with my luck Misty will just act like a goof and make me look like a fool.

Will get her out to run a few lines this week, but in this heat it's difficult. I may set a couple lines this evening and run her on them tomorrow evening - 24 hours isn't a long soak for her cold nose.

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LOL This is what often happens when we compete or demonstrate. I swear the dog plans it. :) I could tell you some stories of looking like an idiot.

Have a great time.

Hope it goes well. I did really want to go but looks like my father-in-law is very likely to die in this next week so won't be going anywhere. Have fun!

The seminar was wonderful and presenters John Jeanneney and Andy Bensing were absolutely passionate, and a vast fountain of knowledge for those wanting to learn more about blood tracking. It was great to meet some other members of our forums (marysburg), and some members of NAVDA as well - they're nice folks, don't believe what others tell you about them :)

Misty did amazing, my worry was for no reason. She hit the trail, and exploded off the start - finishing her track in amazing time (Andy commented it wasn't the fastest he'd ever seen, but it was certainly quick). She faltered her line once when she came to a field of wild turkey, but I draw her back into me, refocused her and she finished the track minutes later - earning her UBT 1.

Looking forward to learning more and progressing in this awesome service - and hoping to draw others into it as well, in the end it's all about conservation, and the more folks the merrier.

Good to hear that they imparted some good info.... Did they take you back into the deep bush and teach you how to handle the dogs on a leash when they are pulling you the thru the thick stuff nasty stuff. ?

That's the scenario most of us deal with so it would be nice to hear how they do it.

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Originally Posted by MikePal

Good to hear that they imparted some good info.... Did they take you back into the deep bush and teach you how to handle the dogs on a leash when they are pulling you the thru the thick stuff nasty stuff. ?

That's the scenario most of us deal with so it would be nice to hear how they do it.

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The tests were all conducted in deep brush, much thicker actually than most of the areas I've hunted in and I only had one issue with the lead tangling on anything and it was my fault really.

Handling the lead is a fine dance really, but it sounds much more difficult than it really is. Although you're working with a 20-30 foot (mine is around 22 feet) I never use the full extent unless I have difficulty getting through the bush and Misty wants to charge ahead. Really, you have to remember that - like all other dog related sports - blood tracking dogs should be obedient as well, and understand the lead/handler relationship.

I will hold the lead about 5-6 feet, not coiling up the unused portion like most would think. Instead, I let it trail/drag behind - this is why thin rope/cord is easier to use than webbing material (thin, flat leash material) as it tends to snag less on the brush/trees, etc. When the dog goes through an area you can't fit through you simply reach around and grab the lead with your other hand or (whether it's "right" or not, all handlers do it) you let go of the lead completely catching it on the other side of the obstacle - remember, you let go at the 5 foot mark, you could have up to 25 feet still trailing through, that gives you plenty of time to grab it.

I really suggest trying it, or seeing it in action to see what I mean - it is very simple, and there is little to no tangle. The next training session I do (as soon as I source more blood), I'll try to get someone to video it and I'll post it to YouTube.

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Originally Posted by jweese

The seminar was wonderful and presenters John Jeanneney and Andy Bensing were absolutely passionate, and a vast fountain of knowledge for those wanting to learn more about blood tracking. It was great to meet some other members of our forums (marysburg), and some members of NAVDA as well - they're nice folks, don't believe what others tell you about them :)

Misty did amazing, my worry was for no reason. She hit the trail, and exploded off the start - finishing her track in amazing time (Andy commented it wasn't the fastest he'd ever seen, but it was certainly quick). She faltered her line once when she came to a field of wild turkey, but I draw her back into me, refocused her and she finished the track minutes later - earning her UBT 1.

Looking forward to learning more and progressing in this awesome service - and hoping to draw others into it as well, in the end it's all about conservation, and the more folks the merrier.

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Congrats! You've done a fine job with that dog. :)