Following my scent in the woods

[Petepreston]

We decided to give Posie (Working Cocker) a new challenge last week to give her very good nice something new to work on.

I drove to our favourite woods 5 minutes away, and trailed an old t-shirt behind me along the gravel path then onto the mud and leafy footpaths, for about 5 minutes - about 300m in my case.    My wife drove up separately and started to coax Posie to "find dad!" and set off in roughly the right direction.

Apparently she didn't seem interested for a minute or two until she got to the point where I had left the gravel path, then she took off with clear purpose, stopping every 15-20 seconds to look back for mum.  Assured that she hadn't lost her, she then got back on the trail.

I had tied the t-shirt to a branch upwind of the trail and continued to walk into some undergrowth that we've never been into. From my hiding place  I saw her come into sight, check for mum, then charge almost straight to my t-shirt. After a moment of praise when mum caught up she then left without any instruction and came straight at me, clearly following my scent but not able to see me.

To say that we were impressed is an understatement. Posie has only ever had to find treats hidden around the house, but there she was following her dad's scent deep into the woods.

If I'm ever lost and without my iPhone, I know my little girl can find me. 

Don't they make you proud when they behave themselves? 

[Emilyoliver]

They're natural trackers  well done Posie. She would be able to track you even without you trailing the shirt.

[Petepreston]

But where's the fun in walking around the woods if you're not half naked? 

(I'm joking - it was a new t-shirt that I wore for a few minutes before leaving the house)

(honest!)

[8 Hairy Feet]

Oo good girl Posie
That sounds like good fun
too!
Proper hide and seek
steffxxx

[Emilyoliver]

But where's the fun in walking around the woods if you're not half naked? 

[sarahR]

But where's the fun in walking around the woods if you're not half naked? 

  Thank goodness it wasn't his trousers. 
Seriously a good idea though well done Posie.

[cfordham2710]

It is amazing how they can do this, makes you think of all the smells they can pick up. 

[Petepreston]

Yup. I always imagine they see smells like we see colours - or the Bisto Gravy ads of yesteryear ( giving my age away).

Tonight she was tracking a crumpled up Cadbury's Creme Egg wrapper that had been dropped into a deep mug. It was on the back of the sofa but she still followed the scent from floor level. No wonder they lover Working Cockers for sniffer dogs. That's what we call the game when we hide treats around the house - "Sniffer Dog!" 

[black taz]

someone told me that they can smell you about a mile away - then again i suppose it depends how long it is since you had a bath