Millie Article Track

January 23, 2025

Goal: to reinforce Millie's article indication. In her last time out she detected but failed to indicate one article, so we have to make sure we work on articles in the rotation.

Rather short track (280 yards), 2 turns (both open right), aged 1:10. Six articles aside from start. Partly sunny, 28°, Light Air. RH 43%. Rough grass with some patches of snow.

Good start (we work on starts next time). She found and indicated all the articles clearly. (She still doesn't have a sit or down indication, but she acts in a distinct and easily identifiable way each time she gets to an article.) On three of the more visible articles she actually stops about 5 feet short and indicates. Ilsa did this occasionally, but I haven't seen Millie do this before. It works, just as long as I see the article as well. Only on the last leg did she track a bit wide at the end, but even then she indicated the article.

Good loss-of-scent and clear commitment to the next leg on both corners.

What I liked:

  • clear indication on all articles;
  • good start and work on corners;
  • she handled changes of cover nicely.
What needs work:
  • I still would like her to work all legs closer to the track. I consciously avoid guiding her onto the correct line when she is tracking ⋜ 5 feet from the line but parallel. She almost always comes back when I get in behind her and follow. But I do worry about missing an article.
  • Next article track I want to use less conspicuous articles.
Video:


Comments

  1. JudiJanuary 28, 2025 at 1:41 PM

    Before I forget…I like her stop, look, shake, jaw snap. I’d wait for all of that before I move up the line and reinforce. and, FWIW, keep your lips sealed until she offers the entire sequence. Off to pick up dinner and will watch when I get home.

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