Anka, my son and myself have been playing a "Game" to keep in shape. It is hide and seek. I am a little on the heavy side at 6'2 and 225lbs. Anka needed an outlet so we started playing this game with my son.

We go to different areas for a run. My son will leave anywhere from 5 minutes to 30 minutes prior to us. Anka does see him run away. The time has increased as Anka has gotten more experience. So far she has always found Devon.

Anyway Sunday we were out for a run and boy does she run. Devon left 30 minutes ahead of us at a local public cross country park. We were flying down a roadside when an officer pulled up next to us. We stopped and started talking. He asked what we were doing and I explained the "hide and seek game".

Until the officer got excited, it had not really crossed my mind that we were tracking. I mean I knew but it was all fun and games and I had not taken it seriously. The officer procedes to tell me how slow their dog is and is asking questions if she will be able to find my son as fast as she is going, yadda yadda yadda.

Needless to say, the officer is going off duty, he parks his car and takes off with us. By this time I figure Devon is a good 45 minutes ahead of us. Anka is screaming to go, she knows what we are there for. We run further and harder than I have in a long time, I am getting exhausted and the officer is doing his best to keep up. We have cruised a good mile when all of a sudden Anka slams on the brakes. She is just standing there and I figure, well that is it, her first loss.

Anka then goes back probably 30 yards, puts her nose to the ground hard and walks straight into the woods where wouldn't you know it, Devon climbed a tree. I was in shock and the officer was stunned and amazed.

Anka is 10 months old. After talking with the Sheriffs officer I do believe we are going to get a little more serious on the tracking. After reading till about 3AM on this site I think without knowing it we started a very good foundation. We will be ordering the TTD DVD and see what mistakes we are making.

Sorry for the long post we are just so excited. There is more about Anka here; Anka's Intro to Leerburg

Awesome story Ron....sounds like you may have a good SAR prospect in the works......

Ron, that's just too cool; very exciting! Not just her speed, but the way she did a sudden stop and shift of direction. You have a right to be proud

Ron, if your dog is understanding the "search" command, have your son leave when the dog isn't watching. He should leave an article of clothing in a previously agreed spot. When you get to that spot, give the search command and see if the dog can work off of an item of clothing. When you think this is really solid, have someone unknown to the dog do the same.
This is how I started working scent specific with my dog.
When he got the idea of working the clothing, I would have two people start out in the same place but only one leave the clothing article. That's starts the dog "thinking" and ignoring other scents at the PLS (point last seen).
Each new step you take, take a step back on time and distance.

Thanks for the congrats and info guys.

The DVD is on Santa's brown sleigh and will be here wednesday. I wont have time to play until Sunday so between Wed and Sunday Devon and I will get to sit in front of the boob-tube for a few hours.

We'll see how she does once I know more of the mistakes I was making.

It's always a treat to find out a new skill your pupper can do. part of the fun of having working line dogs

That is such a cool story. You guys were just playing a fun game and look what it could potentially turn into. Your Anka may have a great future ahead.

BTW, how could you have made mistakes...you were playing a game. Anka will simply see any changes as a new fun challenge. Enjoy and congrats!

FANTASTIC!!! My dog also got a great start but we are now having issues. Seems that the older they get the newness wears off and they start 'reading the newspaper.' Good luck, that's so neat!

Sounds like you are having great fun Ron.