Saturday morning, Kuster went off with Mr. Taleteller for his first Search and Rescue training. There is another puppy who also just joined the group and was born just three days before Kuster was. So, he’ll grow up training with a Golden Retriever named Buzz. I know my husband was very excited to go to training with a dog at his side, or well, under his arm, at least. This is something he has wanted to do for a very long time, and going for the last year or so without a dog of his own has been fun, but not the same as having his own working dog. I admit, I was happy for him as he left for the training with a beaming smile on his face. I’m sure it makes the new nipple piercing completely worth it!
Kuster and Buzz spent some time waiting in their crates, some time playing with new people and kids, and some time playing with each other. From what I’ve heard, Buzz is quite a problem-solver and climber like Kuster. Hopefully they’ll both be full-fledged SAR dogs in two years.
Yes, Kuster really did start training on Saturday. Right now, training involves playing games. He has to be more interested in playing with his people than anything else. So, he’d play for a while with Buzz and then he was expected to come back to Mr. Taleteller when he was called. He needs to learn that the best thing in the world is coming to his person. Mr. Taleteller hopes to do what’s called “area search” with Kuster because right now there’s only one area search dog in the group. To do area search, Kuster has to really like people and develop an urge to find him. For those who are wondering, area search dogs are the ones who look for lost or missing people in large, wooded areas, without a last known place where the person was seen, and without an article of scent.
Bunny and Blueberry were happy to learn that he has to be a little less interested in playing with other dogs. Morgan, not so much. He’ll still get to play with them, we just need to foster the idea in him that playing with people is more fun. Since he tends to be very people-oriented, I don’t think that will be a problem. Kuster was thrilled that Mr. Taleteller stopped and bought a horsewhip for him to play chase games with, too.
One thing I do know is that SAR training must have been exhausting. He came home one very tired puppy. As a matter of fact, Mr. Taleteller came home very tired, too. We were happy to have a few hours of peace. It was the first time in a week that it got quiet around here and it didn’t turn out to be a bad thing. Kuster had a great first experience there and I have a feeling he’ll be excited to go back.
A small end note — a Greyhound that we know, Luna, of Luna’s Life in the Garden State, had a terrible accident this weekend. I think it would mean a great deal to her family if some people dropped in and offered words of support. Luna hasn’t been retired and living with her new family for too long, and we’re hoping that she’ll make a full recovery and be back at home soon!
