Kleinen Wiese German Shepherds

Posted By Sandy Wilson on May 24, 2010

DELTA VON DER KLEINEN WIESE (Arla vd Kleinen Wise X Hawk v. Eichenluft, SchH3)

This weekend we decided to start tracking again; the weather was nice and there was plenty of moisture in the ground to hold a scent.  Delta is now 11 months old and hasn’t tracked the whole Winter, but now it’s time to start tracking again since she is a little more mature.  I set up a single straight track with one zig-zag to see how she would take a few turns and she did very well.  She is a very intense dog and really enjoys tracking, but she is still very young and immature.  She wants to blow through the track and she doesn’t even pick up some of the bait because she is too quick, so will have to work on slowing her down and possibly having her be more hungry to want to eat every piece of food on the track.

Delta above here really working and pulling hard on the track.  In hindsight, I should have picked a day with less wind, as the cross wind may  have made it a little more difficult for her tracking.   There were several parts on the track where she lifted her head and circled and so I want to make it much easier for her and build her confidence first.  I know she can do the work, but I don’t want her to get frustrated.  She loves to work and never quits.   Love this little gal!  She is one very, very active dog – always wanting to do some type of activity.  This is the type of dog that needs alot of mental stimulation.

Delta is a dog that loves to play and have something to do at all times.  Tracking, fetching the ball and doing little tricks, and herding the sheep are just a few of her favorite things to do.  This is a busy puppy!

AIKO VON DER KLEINEN WIESE (Hera v Fafnerhaus X Diesel v Schulmeister, SchH1)

Aiko (4 years old) is older than Delta and a much more mature dog who is methodical in his tracking and a real thinking dog.  He is a pleasure to take out and track with.  He has a very deep nose and great work ethic.  He keeps going and when you finish the track, he is looking for more.  Above is Aiko just starting his track; it was an  “L” shaped track with one turn and then a final turn that was short to find the Jackpot at the end of the track.  He had a great start to his track, and like with Delta’s track, there was some cross wind that made the track a bit more challenging.  Aiko lifted his head once or twice to catch the wind, but then found his turn and did a really nice track.  Again, checking the wind direction before the tracks are laid are so important when tracking with beginner dogs.  Aiko, even though older, started tracking only about 1 1/2 years ago, but he loved it and naturally did well.  He is confident in nature and a thinking dog.  He is the kind of dog that you don’t want to correct harshly, but needs just verbal correction and he fixes himself.  He is a sensitive dog that needs very little direction, and a dog who truly wants to please.  He puts so much effort into his work and you can tell he wants to do a good job.

Bill with Aiko well into the first leg.  Aiko is a natural nose down dog who will work for very little food.  He just loves the work and moves at a nice steady pace too.    The plan for Aiko is more practice and experience for him tracking.  I think also letting the dog problem solve is a big one!  You have to be willing to let the dog figure things out and then praise, praise, to  let him know he is doing the right thing.   I think also taking Aiko to more locations so he can get used to distractions and other surroundings will be a big plus for him to gain experience.

Aiko working with his nose deep into the higher grass.   Next time I take him out, I think we’ll try a different location and more treats to make it a positive experience.  As soon as we get the long line out for tracking, he just gets so excited.  Anytime there is a job to do – he is up for it.  It’s another story when he is going to do sheep chores, he is bouncing and jumping all over the place in excitement, but with tracking he sets himself right in the mind set of sniffing the track.  That’s my boy!

Category: Tracking
Tags: Aiko, Aiko vd. Kleinen Wiese, D-Litter, Delta, Tracking