The Aussies 2019 - Members version

GeTng Started
To do this sport, the dogs need a harness. The
smallest of the official mantrailing ones,
which are pre2y cool ,would probably fit a
Labrador.
Our task was to find something to fit an
Aussie. Their long backs and deep chests tend
to make it difficult to get a perfect fit. Add to
this, even with a perfect fit, Ægon somehow
managed to get 2 feet through the the same
hole acer a few steps! Much to the dismay of
all the so-called specialists, who kept saying -
‘I’ve never seen a dog do that before!’. They
obviously had not met an Ægon before.
Finding a tracking line, was so much easier….
The day
The day began with the theory and the basics
of this sport. Mantrailling UK run formal
training courses which must all follow the
same training plan.
Ægon was very keen to add his thoughts
throughout this part of the day and we had
intermi2ent whinges/groans that only an
Aussie can do when they decide to
try and communicate. Fortunately
the trainer has Lakeland terriers,
so she was very aware that
Terriers are full of personality.
Theory done - and in Ægon’s eyes
- at last it was on to the pracDcal.
We were a small group of 3 dogs,
so lots of 121 coaching.
The contaminated arDcle, in this
instance, a woollen glove. Each of
us had to keep it close to our
chests to impregnate with our
scent. Then stored in a ziplock bag.
All of us had been asked to bring
the best treats in the the world for
our dogs.
The key is to establish with the dog, a command
to find someone based on the scented arDcle
and for the dog to find them. The iniDal training
is to do just that - as well as teaching the
handler how to manage the search. Wrangling
15 feet of training line is no mean feat!
Ægon did grasp the basics, but the next step is a
lot of homework. Then we can try for the next
training session to develop both our techniques
just a bit more.
Do I think Aussies can do this?
Yes I think they can. But like all these sports,
you need to devote Dme and effort and
constant training to maintain the skills and to
take part in trials.
These trials do involve trails that will last about
30 minutes - so with Aussies - keeping their
moDvaDon going I suspect will be challenging.
I have signed him up for a tracking course. Acer
invesDng in a very expensive harness, need to
get value for money!
Managing the 15 feet of
tracking line certainly lead to
a lot of lead malfuncDons!
To get them going for the iniDal
find, we used the trainers preprepared
reward - a mixture of
Primula Cheese Spread mixed with
Dnned corned beef. This was
places in a sealed pot and the dog
was allowed to lick it when they
found the person.
Although the trainer assured us all
dogs love this, I don’t think they
had told Ægon who turned his
nose up, in preference for his
cocktail sausages. But as the
Trainer said - ‘Whatever works’.
Come out, come out
wherever you are!