My husband works a lot on training with Küster, and he has a great group of people that he works with. However, he likes to keep expanding their horizons and when he gets an opportunity to try something new with Küs, he tries really hard to make that happen. Recently, he was contacted by someone in our area who is new to training his dogs for trailing. The man wanted to know if Mr. Taleteller and Küster would like to get together with him and his wife and their two Belgian Malinois for some trailing practice.
Saturday, the man called and he and my husband set up a meeting for Sunday afternoon. Sunday was considerably cooler than Saturday and I dressed for the weather, bundling up in several layers before we left. I should have bundled up into several more.
We headed over and met the man and his wife, along with their two dogs at the assigned time. I think Küster is a little more advanced than their dogs, but the girls both had just turned two years old. It’s always good for him to have extra time to practice and to use his brain.
It was decided that Küster would trail first, then Kyria would go, followed by Mikalah. Küster is very used to finding me, so when he has the opportunity to look for someone else, that’s always a good thing. We don’t want him to think that every time he tracks, he’s going to find me. So, the man went and left a basic trail. His wife and I were talking as Mr. Taleteller got Küs out and let him take a bathroom break before getting started.
As luck would have it, a man appeared out of one of the trails with a young boy and a dog that was off leash and uncollared. The man started yelling warnings to him that a police dog was training. The dog owner was pretty slow on the uptake, and sure enough, his dog ignored all calls from him and came right up to the black tornado. Fortunately, Küster is a pretty easygoing guy. He wagged and exchanged greetings with the other dog while the owner huffed and puffed about her not listening.
If that weren’t enough, a loose Beagle wandered over onto the course and nothing would convince him to move on. There was nobody there with him, which makes me think he came over from one of the nearby houses. It might also explain the large amounts of dog poop all over the park.
Anyway, after those brief distractions, Küster proved that he can be a professional and he got to work. He did what he does and found his victim very quickly. Of course, he swaggered back to the van with his tail high and his trophy Wubba in his mouth. He and I both got in the van for a little bit to warm up. I was at the point of not being able to feel my toes.
After my husband was found by Kyria in rather short order, it was my turn to get lost for Mikaylah. Her human had a broken foot, but she was determined to do the run for her dog. Mikaylah was a sweetheart and it didn’t take her long to find me, either.
Küster took another shot at things after that and had a great run finding the woman. He found her like it was no big deal at all. Tracking is a game that he excels at and he loves it. I honestly think it’s something he was born to do. He has been using his nose since he was a little puppy, and I wish I could see a scan of how it works, just like you can see scans of brain activity. I think it would be quite an interesting sight.
After the Puppy Wonder got done finding the woman, I got lost for both of the girls again. It was fun to watch them work and see how enthusiastic they were about it. All three of the dogs had different styles of working, but it was fun to watch each of them.
I do have to confess that by the time we got done and got back in the van, I felt like a human Popsicle. That was some seriously cold weather, and I don’t think I felt warm even when I went to bed that night. However, it was worth braving the cold to see Küster having a good time and so proud of himself after his find. He slept like a baby that night, the way we all should after a good day’s work. My husband is hoping to take the certification test with him in October, and I have confidence that they’ll be able to pass. Küster has found his calling with something that he is good at and something that he truly enjoys. We should all be so lucky.
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Kuster sounds like he’s well on his way to being an awesome SAR dog! And I HATE loose dogs. At least is those didn’t seem to have “issues”.
I’ve never heard of Belgian Malinois before. They look like shepherds! You guys are so dedicated. I wouldn’t have gone out hiding in the cold brrr.
He’s growing up into a fine boy…we always knew he would! On that note, Mum had a thought: Is there a chance that some of Morgan’s issues come from being in some way jealous / intimidated by Kus…particularly now he’s growing up ans is a “full” male? Deccy x
Aw, it’s great when a dog has a calling. I must admit I’ve forgotten what the human popsicle thing feels like. If I was a popsicle I would be permanently melted…
So glad Kuster and the other two dogs did well.
Such a shame Morgan couldn’t do something like that to chnnel all her energy.
Glad the off-leash and loose dog didn’t cause too much trouble. Popsicle. The things we do for our kids
If I’m ever lost, I want Kuster to find me!
I’m so proud of Kuster! He’s working so hard, and doing a grreat job! I know I feel safer knowing that Kuster is out there to help find me if I’m ever lost.
I am happy to hear that Kuster is moving up in the big league, and that you all had a successful time trailing! I am however sorry that you turned into a human popsicle!
Thanks for enduring the bitter cold to work with Kuster and his friends so we could see some pictures of them working. I’m sure Kus will pass with flying colors when he takes his test.
I think Kus could pass the test right now! If me and MOM ever get lost and Bert is not around I want Kuster to come find us.
Blessings,
Goose
Amen…”we should all be so lucky” WTG Kus!
Loose dogs always seem to ruin our fun. I’d love to watch you guys work Kuster one day. Maybe if I am ever in your neck of the woods?
Sam
Good job, Kuster!
Wow, look at the young professional. Your husband must be awfully proud of how well he did with all those distractions.
You’re lucky everyone found you pretty quickly. Your fingers would never have thawed in time to write the post.
Aww, I bet you are so proud of Kus … as you should be. All of you have worked really hard to bring him to this level at such a young age! Great job!
We love watching the K9 train. The pups and owners are quite dedicated. Plus they cost tons of green papers. Good job guys
Benny & Lily
We should all be so lucky indeed!
I’ve never heard of trailing practice but I’m going to look it up. It annoys me to no end when people let their dogs out without supervision!
Watching a dog work well at something he loves is such a great joy…even worth popsicle toes
Such a neat skill for the dogs to have – useful too. I hear you on the popcicle thing. I feel that way on a daily basis these days!
Wow, glad it all turned out well! Happy Wordless Wednesday!
Sounds like a fun afternoon was had by all! Hugs & belly rubs!
That’s really cool–sounds like such a fun way to train with a dog. You are very dedicated to brave the cold for the sake of his learning!
You *are* crazy
But there’s nothing like watching dogs use their noses. It defies our sense of logic that they can follow smells so easily. It’s great that all the dogs had the chance to track new people. I remember when I was training my SAR dog – she knew how to find the Runner in her sleep!!!!
I think playing lost victim for the dogs is a great way to spend an afternoon!
I really HATE HATE dogs off leash that do not have a reliable recall. I have had too many incidents where dogs offline come barreling up to mine and with Kodee’s health issues it makes very nervous. I give you credit for just venturing out there in the cold… no sign of warmth soon here I am afraid.
We will all be cheering Kuster on when he takes his test. I’m shivering just thinking about how cold you were.