Bunny mentioned yesterday that while we were out walking and shopping, Mr. Taleteller and Küster were off at Search and Rescue training. Sometimes I go along with them, but it was going to be a long day of training and there were meetings for the members involved, so I decided to stay home and have an adventure with Bunny. I also was looking forward to sleeping later than 6:30, which is about when my husband was planning to start getting ready to leave.
In the afternoon, as Bunny and I were finishing our walk, I got a phone call from my husband. He’d texted me that Küster had run a good trail, so I knew that he was happy with how the day had gone. I asked him on the phone about it, and I could tell he was about to burst with excitement and pride. I wasn’t there, but he told me all about it, and I kind of felt like I had been there.
When Küster takes his certification test, he’ll have to find somebody from an “aged trail” which means that it will be up to four hours old, as I understand it. So, he has been practicing on some aged trails, as well as some other things, like a trail where someone different crosses the trail and he has to stay on the original one and making sure he doesn’t miss turns. His victim laid the trail three and a half hours before he went out to look for her. They set it up in a way that she can take a hidden shortcut and be at the end of the trail when he gets there, but not have to hide for three and a half hours.
In a surprising twist, the weekend turned out to be some sort of celebratory weekend where a lot of parents were in attendance. The victim had left her trail through the quad, which is generally a large hub of activity. On Saturday, it was full of groups of people chatting and walking through. Küster had picked up the trail strongly from the beginning and headed through the quad on his mission, undeterred by all the people. As he was working, he came to a corner and stopped to get his bearings and figure out which way the person had gone. A girl came by and stopped to pet him before Mr. Taleteller could tell her that he was working. Instead, he yelled “get to work,” the girl jumped in surprise and Küster did what he does without even flinching.
The girl walked off, and Küster kept following his nose. To my husband’s dismay, he was following the girl who had stopped to pet him. He didn’t know which way the victim had gone and he began to worry that Küster had just decided to follow the hand that had petted him.
They came to a point where it became what they call a “scent chimney.” The wind blowing through the buildings makes the smell seem like its coming from everywhere. Küster stopped and began to circle. Suspecting that he’d lost the trail, one of the other handlers suggested to my husband that they go back to the last place he was certain that Küs had been on the trail. Just as he began to call the Black Tornado back to him, Küster took off like a shot. He soon found his victim down in a stairwell and there was a big party in his honor. Playing with his Wubba with his victim is his reward for making it to the end of the trail.
It was a great experience for Küster and for Mr. Taleteller. The Puppy Wonder had to overcome a lot of obstacles and distractions to get to the end of the trail. He had to stay focused on that one unique human scent while thousands of other smells wafted around him. He also had to ignore the attention of adoring fans, which isn’t something he’s ever encountered before to my knowledge. It was good for my husband to see that Küster really does know what he’s supposed to do and can make it through a lot of things.
I have to say that I admire the heck out of his focus, too. I don’t know if I could stay focused on a goal through so many distractions. I do know that I love seeing a dog do what he was born to do. He was born to use his nose and he’s showed us that from a young age, but it’s not just that he follows his nose wherever it leads. He has honed his skill to something akin to an art form. I think that kind of focus is what makes an artist out of all of us, though. I’d like to think that I’ll get as good at honing my skills as he is one day!
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way to go, Kuster! and such a *handsome* fellow to boot!
I wish I could see him working someday. I am always in awe of working dogs and the dedication of their handlers to make them the best at their jobs. BTW your pictures of him are just beautiful.
Well done Kus! I bet that girl got a fright LOL. Maybe she won’t just pet strange dogs again, which would be good
My chest is swelling with pride! I can’t even imagine how I’d feel if he were my pup. Well done, Kuster. You are going to save lives one day.
Don’t hold your breath on that one! To err is human, to be a dog is Devine! Deccy x
that is very impressive!
Way to go Kuster.
Does you hubby have a uniform on when training?
Way to go Kuster. The Black Tornado seems to be growing up and learning the tricks to the trade. We love a working dog doing its work – so rewarding for everyone.
Great job Kuster! That was a tough one and you did it!!! Happy Dance for Kuster!
Good boy Kuster! How cool is that! Almost like a kid with ADHD…..getting distracted a bit, but they still know their stuff.
Loved this story! Mr. Taleteller has a right to be proud when he tells this one. Kuster and Mr. Taleteller are one heck of a team.
WELL DONE KUSTER!! Makes me smile to think of how you will help so many in the future.
Blessings,
Goose
Amazing! You must be bursting with pride! I would be, no doubt. You’ve done well in his training and the real “whipped cream on the sundae” moment is when he finds a “real” victim. Think there won’t be a party for Kuster then!!!!
I miss reading all about your adventures. Other priorities just don’t allow for blogging in my life anymore.
I love reading about him doing what he was meant to do. Clearly, the tornado is quite focused when he is working. How rewarding it must have been to see him work and succeed. Mr Taleteller had a right to be very proud. How awesome!
I’m so proud of Kuster! I just know he’s going to help SO many people once he’s finished training!
Count me among those who loves to see a working dog do their “work”. To think that the Black Tornado might save lives in the future is just amazing.
Cheers,
Jo, Stella and Zkhat
What an awesome job Kuster!! Congratulations
Have a fun day
Benny & Lily
Kuster is one smart boy with very smart parents who take time to teach him. In photos, he looks as if he’s always ready to go on to the next challenge, up for anything, busting with excitement. Way to go, Kuster! I bet Bunny, Blueberry and Morgan are all very proud of you – though I’m sure they’d never want you to know!
I have just recently started following… is Kuster your premanent dog, or are you training him and then he is handed over to someone else? I am so impressed with him and the dedication you and Mr Taleteller are putting into training him!
Kuster is my partner in this adventure. Our group are all owner/trainers that work our dogs.
What a superstar! That is some serious talent he is showing. No wonder you are both so proud
WOW. That is AMAZING. How on earth do dogs DO that? I mean, I know he trained hard, but how is it even possible?
I know I am a bit partial to black dogs having one of my own, but darn that Kuster is a handsome devil! He can find me any day
Kuster is definitely not ADD when he’s working.
I am smiling!! Good dog, Kuster!! If I was there you would have gotten BIG pets from me!!! He is really growing into a fine dog.
This made me smile. Good job!
It sounds like Mr. Taleteller has already learned the hardest part of SAR for me – trust your dog’s nose and brain!!!!! Kuster rocks. That was a wonderful story. As a former handler, my heart was in my throat as you told it (very well, by the way). Way to go Mr. Taleteller and Kus!!!!
I am still working on that part.
Awesome job, Kuster! Congrats to you (and your proud mom)!
Wow. I am just SO impressed with Küster! He – and Mr Taleteller – are doing so well! It only seems like last week that they were setting off on their first training sessions, and here he is finding his quarry using a three and a half hour old trail, and ignoring distractions!
How much longer will he have to train before his test? And will he have to continue refresher training/practice throughout his working life to keep him fresh?
You know, I am going to be so proud on your behalf when the day comes that he finds his first genuinely lost person.
We are hoping to certify sometime in the fall. If all goes well. Practice and more training is a life long process, at least until he retires. Plus, we have to certify on average of every one or two years depending on the requirements.
Well done Kuster !
I’m so happy for you all – I have tears in my eyes reading this because I can just imagine what Mr. Taleteller must have felt like watching Kuster take off through the quad and finding the victim. If he can do that, you know he’s going to be a successful search and rescue dog and you guys will change people’s lives with the work you’ll do.
That gave me goosebumps. I’d sure like Kuster on my trail if ever lost!
Thank you for continuing to share updates on Kuster’s training…I love hearing what he’s doing. They’re so amazing!